Although most chisels are supplied with a sharp ground cutting edge, they should always be honed prior to use and for efficient, accurate and safe cutting, they should be kept well sharpened and honed. The traditional method is by use of oilstones, however, for even better performance, some prefer water stones. Handles should always be comfortable, easy to control and hard wearing.
Handles
Hand chisels have wood or plastic handles. In wood, ash or beech is the standard, with boxwood or rosewood the top of the range. Boxwood is the cabinet-makers' traditional favourite because of its cool and very smooth feel.
Polypropylene is an impact resistant moulded plastic with high gloss finish. C.A.B. (Cellulose Acetate Butyl) is the toughest of all, used on the split proof handles, which are the choice of the professional on tough construction work.
Carver Pattern describes a shape of handle which is smooth and round and is applicable to hand chisels as an indication of that particular pattern.
Honing
Hand chisels are supplied ground with the cutting edge at an angle of 25°, but as a general rule before use the edge should be sharpened or honed to an angle of 30° to give a form of second bevel. However, some craftsmen alter the honed edge according to the wood which is being worked, making the angle more oblique for harder woods.
