Chisel Bevel Angle

I like mortise chisels to have a convex curve on the bevel.

Chisel bevel angle. 250 is the standard almost universal grind angle for a bevel on plane irons as well as chisels but few people sharpen either at that angle. Standard bench and butt chisels are traditionally ground at the factory to 250 and this is fine for most work but the edge will last longer if you add a 50 microbevel to make a 300 cutting angle. When im done sharpening it these marks will be almost gone. The length of the bevel should be approximately 1 12 times the tools thickness.

I use my diamond fret levelers to sharpen chisels. One chisel cant do it all. Adjust the tool rest to grind the same angle as on a conventional skew. Learn why one works on hardwood but not.

This chisel is an inexpensive one from a lowes home improvement store. Its harder to sharpen at the steeper angle or at least i found it harder even though i used the honing guide in my experiments so that i could guaranteed exact angles and used a block of wood charged with polishing compound to prevent back curl normally associated on the strop that creates further increase on the bevel at the actual cutting edge of the chisel that would render the cutting. Use a honing guide to set the bevel angle. Sharpen bench chisels with a 250 bevel angle for best results.

In hardwoods a 20o edge on a chisel just doesnt stand up in any use ive found. I grind the bevel on all these chisels at 25o. Don one of my partners prefers to grind and hone at the same angle so he can both high ends of the hollow ground bevel on the stones for more accurate honing. You can see the grinder marks on the bevel.

Its possible to sharpen a bevel by freehanding it against the stone but its very difficult to make sure you get the exact angle you want without using a honing guide. If you have been confused by the different bevel angles on chisels ron gives a good explanation of what they are used for. The front and back surfaces will become flat and mirror smooth while still keeping this factory ground angle. For a paring chisel the bevel can be as low as 200 some woodworkers like the bevel angle even lower like 150 but you sacrifice edge strength with a bevel that low.

Switch to a 60 or 80 grit wheel. I prefer to set this angle by measuring distances. They come with blades of either o1 steel a soft grade thats easier to sharpen or a2 a harder alloy that holds an edge longer. Bench chisels the most common have blades about 46 long and can be struck with a mallet.