Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Bevel on Mortise Chisel
Sanford
>I am about to try my first hand mortise and tenon and bought a couple of two cherries sash mortise chisels from the Museum of Woodworking shop. I was surprised that the chisels came with a distinctly hollow ground bevel. I am under the impression that that is a no no for mortise chisels since strength is so important. Should I grind that away right from the start? How big a deal is it? Sanford
Re: Bevel on Mortise Chisel
Russell Seaton
>I'd suggest using the mortise chisel first to see if the hollow grind has any effect. You will have to flatten/polish the back and hone/polish the cutting tip first of course. Then see if it works. If it does then you will eventually reduce the hollow grind through repeated honing. Since mortise chisels are about 3/4" tall, even with the hollow grind I suspect you still have lots of metal for strength. My few mortise chisels have a flat grind at about 30 or 35 degree bevels.
Re: Bevel on Mortise Chisel
charles
>Flat ground, no secondary bevel.
If the mortise walls need a bit of tidying up after the mortise has been chopped (they usually don't) then that's a job for your paring chisels.