Are budget Amazon chisel sets actually usable?

According to verified-purchase reviewers and beginner-woodworking community threads, yes, with caveats. Sub-$30 sets like the Hurricane and Amazon Basics will hold an edge well enough for hobby joinery if you sharpen them properly, but specialist r/handtools commenters warn the steel won't match Narex, Veritas, or Japanese laminated chisels for edge retention in hardwoods.