Thread: Sharp Chisels

Top of my head I think wood chisels are about 35°

Planes can vary a lot more but there are other more qualified than me to comment on that.


Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

25° for plane blades and paring chisels. Chisels that need to do heavier work around 30°(25° with a 5° secondary bevel). That's what I do mine to anyway.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

25° for plane blades and paring chisels. Chisels that need to do heavier work around 30°(25° with a 5° secondary bevel). That's what I do mine to anyway.

Yeah, that pretty much hits the nail on the head.

I have 30deg bevels on all of my bevel down planes, but for anything with a bevel up configuration I use 25deg unless I'm deliberately grinding a steeper angle in an effort to reduce tearout.

For chisels just put some thought into what it's going to be doing. If it's not going to be chopping ever, then definitely 25deg. If it's going to be chopping mortises a lot then 30.

As previously stated, a 2-5 degree microbevel is good to have. If nothing else, it makes the chisel easier to sharpen.

I, personally, haven't heard much about grinding chisels at angles higher than 30deg, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Good luck,
Luke

Ok thanks
Exactly the info I was after

Cheers