How to Properly Sharpen a Bench Chisel for Smooth Cuts

Sharpening a bench chisel is essential for achieving clean, precise cuts in your woodworking projects. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your sharpening stones, starting with a coarse grit and moving to finer grits.
• Secure the chisel at the correct bevel angle (usually 25–30 degrees) using a honing guide or by hand.
• Move the chisel blade back and forth across the stone evenly, applying light pressure.
• Progress through finer grits to polish the edge.
• Use a leather strop with polishing compound to remove burrs and refine the edge.
• Test the sharpness on a piece of scrap wood; the blade should cut smoothly and cleanly. Regular sharpening keeps your chisel effective and safe.