Chisels Buyer Guide

Chisels buyer guide

Chisels are among the world’s oldest hand tools. Technology and design quality may have evolved over the years, but the basic principles of an effective and versatile chisel have remained unchanged. A sharp, durable and well-balanced chisel can make light work of even the toughest carpentry and fabrication tasks.

What is a chisel?

At its core, a chisel is a simple tool that consists of a handle and a blade. The blade of the chisel is usually manufactured from a single piece of forged steel, although it can be made using a variety of other materials. One end of the blade is sharpened to produce a cutting bevel, while the other features a tang or a socket to connect to the handle.

The primary difference between the various types of chisels available is the cutting bevel angle.

The angle of the cutting bevel is an important consideration when selecting a chisel as this gives an indication for what the chisel is designed for. Where heavier cuts are required, a chisel with a cutting edge of at least 30° or more is recommended. Cutting angles between 25° and 30° are good for general purpose cuts, while a cutting bevel angle of 20° to 25° is the typical choice for paring.

Every chisel also features a micro bevel, which is cut into the primary bevel and maintained by the user. There are also some types of chisel with beveled sides, which can be useful when cutting into corners.

A chisel’s handle can be made from a variety of natural or synthetic materials which provide different levels of grip, comfort and impact resistance. Reinforced hoops or caps also feature at the end of some chisels, which can prevent damage when repeatedly struck with a mallet or similar tool.

Types of chisel

Chisels are available in an extensive range of specifications to suit a wide variety of purposes. Along with being constructed from different materials in a variety of different shapes and sizes, there are several primary classifications of chisel as follows:

  • Bevel edge chisels – Extremely versatile and considered the ‘standard’ type of chisel. Used for an extensive range of purposes in almost every workshop environment.
  • Skew chisels – Variants on the classic bevel edge chisel design. Featuring an angled cutting edge resulting in a prominent point on the right or left side of the tool.
  • Butt chisels – Generally identical to a standard bevel edge chisels, though considerably shorter and therefore favoured by tradespersons where cuts must be as accurate as possible.
  • Firmer gouges – A specialist chisel designed exclusively for cutting curved profiles and flutes in wooden surfaces, with a special U-shaped blade.
  • Mortice chisels – The mortice chisel has a bevel angle of at least 30°, making it suitable for heavier duty applications, such as cutting mortices.
  • Timber frame slicks – Used exclusively for cleaning out mortices and finishing cuts. Timber frame slicks are much thinner than typical chisels and cannot be struck with a mallet.

Across each category, you’ll find an extensive variety of chisels comprising different materials and varying build quality. All of which have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

For example, wooden handles are considered more comfortable to hold and more aesthetically pleasing, though their plastic counterparts are split-proof and suitable for heavier-duty applications. Advanced steel and chrome alloy blades can be stronger and lighter in weight than some traditional blades, though may also be more expensive.

How to use a chisel

Chisels are among the simplest of hand tools to use, though a few expert tips and guidelines can help improve the quality of every cut:

  1. Instead of using a pencil, always use a knife to mark out the line to be cut. This will provide a significantly more accurate line, along with a physical groove in which to start the cut.
  2. Always strike the chisel along the same line as the cut being performed, as even the slightest variation of angle can affect the cut accuracy and quality.
  3. Preventing a chisel from getting stuck into the wood when carrying out deep cuts can be as easy as rounding off the heel of the cutting bevel.
  4. Try to get into the habit of sharpening the cutting edge before every use – dull edges adversely impact performance and accuracy.
  5. Use a wooden mallet (or a similar tool recommended by the manufacturer) to strike the chisel, instead of a metal hammer that could damage the handle.

How to maintain a chisel

Chisel maintenance is as simple as sharpening the cutting edge on a regular basis, which can be achieved using a grinding machine or a sharpening stone. Always begin with a courser grit before finishing the job with a finer grade of stone.

The manufacturer may also advise applying a light coat of tool oil on occasion, in order to protect the chisel from corrosion and rust.

In the event that you note any damage to the handle or blade of the chisel, it should be replaced immediately.