Posted by
Easy WoodCraft on
Apr 10, 2017
A corner chisel is a special type that has two cutting edges that meet at a perfect 90-degree angle. NOTE: The chisel shown here is available from Lie-Nielsen Toolworks (
www.lienielsen.com). Corner chisels are used to square up the corners of a mortise after most of the waste has been removed. Because these chisels are challenging to sharpen, I use mine only for the finish paring cuts. This way the edge lasts longer than if I used it to remove a lot of waste. Granted, this tool isn't for everyone; but if you do cut a lot of mortises—especially through mortises—you'll really appreciate this tool. Since I build a lot of Craftsman-style furniture with exposed joinery a corner chisel comes in quite handy.
Two cutting edges
Look closely at the business end of a corner chisel: You'll find flat faces on the exterior of the blade and a notch ground into the inside face to create two cutting edges. These edges are honed to create both a razor-sharp tool and a sharpening challenge. You can't sharpen this tool with a standard stone; you'll need slipstones or, better yet, small diamond hones. I suggest maintaining the edges by giving each a couple of strokes with a diamond hone before every use.
Basic use
The key to using a corner chisel effectively is to take light, paring cuts and make sure to hold the chisel perfectly vertical. I often clamp a square scrap block to the workpiece to help guide the chisel in straight. Stop often and clean out the waste. If you're cutting a through mortise, it's best to cut halfway, flip the workpiece, and continue in from the other side.
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