Everyone needs to drill holes at one time or another and Fisch Forstner Bits create very clean holes. I tried out a set of 4 Fisch Wave Cutter Forstner Bits, and was impressed by both the speed of cut and the clean sharp edges of the top and bottom of the holes they created.

Fisch specializes in the manufacture of high-quality drilling and cutting tools in their drill factory in West Styria, Austria. The company produces over 2 million drilling and milling bits every year. The company's website states, "the most important precondition for the highest-quality tools is the careful selection of raw materials. As a result of the standardization of steels and the high-quality steel processing in Europe, we can confidently say that we only use the best raw materials in producing our tools." They use CNC machines to produce their bits, which have a high-quality feel to them when you open the package.

I've used a variety of Forstner bits but these have a unique wave pattern along the inner edge of the bit...hence the name, Wave Cutter.

Fisch's literature claims that there is a reduction of friction with this design which means that you will generate less heat and can run the bit at a 25 percent faster speed (RPM). They also claim that you will get 3x lifespan when compared to other Forstner bits. It is hard to substantiate these claims in a review like this but when I used the bit in both my drill press and by hand I had the sensation that the bit was cutting faster than what I was used to with other bits I've used. I also felt like I only had to use about half the downward pressure than I normally would need when using this bit.

The Fisch Wave Cutter bits produce a very clean flat bottom hole. Although a Forstner bit will drill a nice clean hole all the way through a board, it excels at cutting a clean, flat-bottomed hole in wood. I use 1" inch diameter wooden signature medallions to sign my work, which are made of 3-ply birch plywood just 7/64" thick and they fit perfectly in a hole drilled with a 1" Forstner bit. This is a perfect way to sign your work and a perfect use of these Forstner bits!

I would highly recommend these Forstner Bits by Fisch. They are excellent quality and the wave cutter design will give you a longer life tool for your money. I'm going to be replacing some of my worn out bits with these wave cutter bits in the near future!

Jeffrey Fleisher has been a woodworker for approximately 20 years and a professional woodworker for the past 6 years. He is the president of his local woodturning club, the Woodturners of the Virginias and past president of the Northern Virginia Carvers. You can see some of the furniture he has made at www.jeffswooddesigns.com. He can be reached by email at furnmkr@gmail.com