Chisels are long metal tools terminating in blades. They are made in a variety of widths and typologies.
Bench Chisels
Photo: Avi Schwarzchild
“Plate 14. Outils propres au corroyage du bois et la maniere de s’en servir.” from L’Art du Menuiserie, wtr. Roubo, André Jacob engr. Laurent, Pierre. New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed December 13, 2016.
An all-purpose tool, the bench chisel comes in many widths and is used primarily for slicing and chopping. Its beveled sides allow the chisel to access tight corners when chopping. In the Roubo plate, note the side view (figure 9). The bench chisel is flat on one side and beveled into a blade on the other.
Photo: Avi Schwarzchild
A wide bench chisel slicing away a small piece of wood.
Gouges
Photo: Avi Schwarzchild
“Plate 21. Outils propres a assembler l’ouvrage et ceux qui servent a pousser les moulures cintrée.” from L’Art du Menuiserie, wtr. Roubo, André Jacob engr. Haussard, Catherine. New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed December 13, 2016.
Used in wood carving, gouges are specialty chisels with a variety of blade profiles. Each profile achieves an effect in the wood’s surface though careful slicing.
Mortising Chisels
Photo: Avi Schwarzchild
“Plate 17. Outils propres a faires les assemblages et la maniere de s’en servir.” from L’Art du Menuiserie, wtr. Roubo, André Jacob engr. Berthault, Pierre Gabriel. New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed December 13, 2016.
Thicker and heftier than a bench chisel, the mortising chisel is used for chopping mortises and levering-out waste wood. Its square sides aid in keeping the walls of the mortise flat and square.
Photo: Avi Schwarzchild
A comparison of a bench chisel (left) and a mortising chisel (right). The bench chisel’s sides are beveled at an angle while the mortising chisel’s are square. The mortising chisel is also thicker than the bench chisel.