The Three Basic Types of Wood Chisels

A senior sales account executive in New York City, Peter J. Snetzko has led sales and business development for Mosaic for the past two years. When he isn’t busy at Mosaic, Peter Snetzko counts woodworking among his favorite hobbies.

One of the most essential and versatile of all woodworking tools, the chisel dates back to prehistoric times. Beginning woodworkers should assess their unique goals and areas of interest to ensure that they have all the chisels they require.

The vast majority of wood chisels fall into one of three categories, the most common of which is the bench chisel. Designed for versatility, the bench chisel is a staple in virtually every woodworker toolbox. From carving joints to shaving lumber, these chisels can accomplish a wide range of tasks.

Specifically optimized for the creation of mortise and tenon joints, the mortise chisel is bigger, heavier, and thicker than a bench chisel. Although many bench chisels can aid in mortise and tenon joint production, the intense hammering and prying that this technique demands will often damage a bench chisel quickly.

The paring chisel, by contrast, is more delicate than both the mortise chisel and bench chisel. Its extremely long and thin blade is perfect for the intricate carving work of finish carpentry. Woodworkers should never strike a paring chisel with a hammer or mallet - it's meant to remove material simply using the force applied by the hands.