Cold Chisel

  Edge Angle

The Cold Chisel's cutting edge is typically shaped on a bench grinder, though an angle grinder could be used (holding the chisel in a vise). And you can certainly use a file to do this (especially if you have as my father called a, "strong back, weak mind").

The U.S. War Department's TM 9-867 Maintenance and Care of Hand Tools advocates grinding off the corners of the cutting edge so that the cutting edge has a convex shape as shown to the left. This is similar to adding camber to a wood plane's blade.

I haven't tried this to gain an understanding of the value. Rather, I see more value in sharpening often.

Notes & Comments

Information regarding Grindstones

If grinding this on a high speed grinder, be sure to manage the temperature so that the temper is not lost due to overheating. If there is a carbide insert, DO NOT cool by dipping in water. This will cause the carbide to crack due to shocks. Otherwise, cool by dipping as needed in water.

More Information

Books & Papers

• The definitive source is Leo J. St. Clair's book from 1952 titled, Design and Use of Cutting Tools. He was working in the industry as it was changing from HSS to carbide, so both are covered well. His experimental data helps validate or disprove many theories. Unfortunately, this book is hard to find.


• The U.S. War Department's TM 9-867 Maintenance and Care of Hand Tools is a great guidebook.

Videos & Presentations

• Tormek Tool Rest SVD-110 (YouTube video)


• Tormek AngleMaster WM-200 (YouTube video)

Web Sites

• Conversion of Brinell vs. Rockwell hardness measurements.