Sharpening a Dull Chisel - Ask Matt #8

[@mauricekeithjohnson2598]

65 years ago, at 10 years of age, in school shop, I was taught to "figure of 8" action to even out the wear across the various oil stones, Still do it that ways to my FATHER's WILKINSON chisels !

[@gailpengelly8581]

Wow...Matt, you've just made my day... After my grandpa passed away several years ago I was given a whole chest of his old tools... Most of which I've used with a lot of success. Their were quite a few items that I had no clue how to use them...UNTIL I happened upon your videos. I have a chisel honing thing...you showed me how to use it and I have managed to sharpen ALL my chisels and planer blades. YOU ROCK MATT. Thanks so much. Gail in Plymouth england.

[@mcremona]

Gail Pengelly Awesome, Gail! So happy the video was helpful!

[@andrewmarvell982]

Gail Pengelly I

[@sethmeistergee]

Great video -- suggestion: When flattening (lapping) your stone with the diamond plate, draw a crosshatch pattern in pencil on the stone first. That way, you'll know precisely when you're totally flat when all the pencil mark is worn away.

[@lope208]

Most of my chisels look like the one you beat up here. That's why I haven't touched them in a long time. I used your tips and bought the grinder, 1000/6000 stone, diamond plate, honing guide, strop and stropping compound. Everything but the 8000 stone. The first one took me about an hour to learn, but most of that time was spent going very lightly and learning the techniques. I had some trouble fitting my chisel in the honing guide properly because it was short. When I was done I could slice through paper just like you showed. Looking forward to cleaning up the rest of my old chisels and learning dovetails. Thanks for the great videos.

[@mcremona]

That's so awesome! Glad you're able to get your tools sharp. Dovetails will be so much easier to learn with sharp chisels. Thanks!

[@theskip1]

i am a retired carpenter/ joiner and i was taught to put a grinding angle and a honing angle on my tools which means a lot less time and work sharpening.

[@steamboatwillie8517]

I was taught to sharpen once a week, but hone every day.

[@justsaying4195]

Make a video

[@petercbmadsen304]

Was very helpful. Just found some 100 year old chisels from family that were in bad shape and needed the "square" technique to bring them back. Enjoy your channel.

[@francisbarnett]

The start of this video was a chisel horror film. Well explained and demonstrated sharpening video. Love your work.

[@mcremona]

Francis Barnett Thank you Francis! "It's so bad, but I can't look away" :)

[@2338]

Thank you, useful video

[@andreicharpentierquesada4530]

I felt too

[@saldonwarren9533]

Matthew Cremona patty’s fireworks festival is a pattthe best app has

[@nickdryad]

Not as bad as a Hammer Horror film.

[@steamboatwillie8517]

That opening sequence: reminded me of a neighbour, who asked to borrow a chisel,and it came back looking the same. I bought a cheap £8 set, so he could use them when he came to borrow!

[@adrianhannon3157]

lol, I have a friend who has a whole set of cheap tools just especially for lending purposes.

[@steamboatwillie8517]

@@adrianhannon3157 it's deff a good plan. Another borrowed a cement mixer. At returning it, said he'd cleaned it ' thoroughly'......but not my idea of :0/ He'd slung two half bricks and a bucket of water, for a minute I'd guess. Took me another 20 to clean it properly. Call me finicky, but it's never been lent again.

[@csimet]

@@steamboatwillie8517 Golden rule... always return a tool in better shape, or at least the same, as when you borrowed it. If you don't, you don't get to borrow it again. ;)

[@jerseydevil1]

@@csimet lol that reminds me of a time I borrowed a wheel barrow from a neighbor because mine fell apart , we had the same one so I pretty much parted out my wheel barrow to fix any problems with his, lol he was happy but said he was planning on getting a powered one and when he did he gave me his old one FOR FREE!

[@woodengamer]

When it comes to ruining the edge on a chisel, you nailed it.. ok.. bad joke, but it was a good video!

[@mcremona]

woodengamer hahahaha!!!

[@JgHaverty]

Matt this may sound strange, but I like your attitude. A lot of "hand tool" guys are absolute cork sniffers. You seem to be incredibly pragmatic and reasonable in your approach. Thanks!

[@mcremona]

JgHaverty Thank you!!

[@nigelmtb]

JgHaverty "Cork sniffers"! I like that, might have to steal that from you... 😁

[@robvanderelst4243]

JgHaverty i

[@reginaldhartley9612]

JgHaverty v

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Jg, I had to upvote for "cork sniffers".

[@briangarethholden]

You're great, I really enjoyed that it was actually difficult for you to make that chisel dull. I'd really like to watch you work with a lathe because you put so much effort into knowing everything necessary.

[@lukejohnson2854]

I tried this on my cheap chisel set that has seen years of abuse without sharpening. It worked so well that I am no longer need to buy a new set of chisels. I thank you endlessly for sharing, Harbourfreight does not. 😆

[@mcremona]

That's so awesome!

[@garysturgis11]

This seems so strange to me. I'm a joiner and the first thing I've always done with new chisel is sharpen them.

[@738polarbear]

This man is a very skilled cabinetmaker . Listen to what he says. No I do not know him . I have just seen some of his work .

[@TedAlexander24]

It was hard to watch you jack that chisel up. Glad it came back for you. And this was a better guide than the original sharpening video.

[@mcremona]

Ted Alexander Thank you Ted!

[@joshuamillar5157]

I died inside watching you blunt that chisel

[@michaelt6840]

Watching him mutilate that poor helpless chisel was one of the cringiest things I've seen in a while.

[@DurtMulliganDrums]

It cracks me up all these guys apparently being new to chisel abuse. Yes, it makes me cringe too, but go out into the world sometime and build or fix something in the field. You'll find how easy it is for this to happen when you just need to get the job done!

[@thylordsatan666]

lol higher end! they are home depot specials they are Marples..

[@DurtMulliganDrums]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Isn't it like a 15 dollar chisel as opposed to an 11 dollar chisel...?

[@mcremona]

They came in a set of 4 for $30 so it's a $7.50 chisel

[@phome2239]

great video my son borrowed my chisel then when I got them back he informed me what he used them for ! that was to try and cut concrete blocks wow I was so impressed I brought a set of his own so he never asked me for the use of my chisel again !!!!

[@tmmrtn]

9:15 You can get a more positive indication of flatness on your stone by using the same technique you did for the chisel: Write on it with something. For a stone though, I use pencil because stones would probably absorb marker pretty deep. So yeah, just pencil a grid onto your sharpening stone and flatten it with your flattening stone until all the pencil is gone.

[@jaredkain2792]

You laugh while making that chisel dull, but I know it hurt your soul doing it …because it hurt mine just watching! 😂 Great video!!

[@mikelkd8067]

Wow, this was so amazing, i'm going to sharpen all my husband's dull chisels! LOL Thank you Matthew, great video!

[@mjremy2605]

I would not touch someone else's tools. Even my partners!

[@MrCorfuz]

After years of grinding back chisels on a bench grinder and dipping in water I got a Tormec wet wheel. My chisels seem sharper and stay sharp for longer. I am sure that even when water dipping whilst using a bench grinder that the heat still affects the tempering of the steel.

[@AwesomeAndrew]

haha, that banged up chisel reminds me of when I found my wife's chisels years ago. She used them for upholstery and they had massive chips out of them.

[@dcr00k]

This is a great video, but I think most woodworkers in the wild are likely to wind up acquiring really beat up chisels that have been abused by carpenters. Your video is what might happen if some knucklehead took one of your perfect chisels and used it to bash a hole in some sheet- metal. Modern day carpenters typically don’t flatten the back, and if they ever sharpen a chisel, they do it free-hand on some kind of power tool. These are the chisels I’ve had to unfuck so I don’t do damage to the expensive ones while skill-building. These are the chisels a lot of broke beginners have to work with. The chisel in this video was previously tuned, expertly, and doesn’t have all those problems. That being said, you rock, and keep on rocking your videos.

[@bardfinn]

That distant roar of "NOOOOOOOOOO" while the chisel is being dulled

[@mcremona]

+Finn, just Finn. Hahaha yeah!

[@sam_james_18]

Finn, just Finn. I knew I wasn't the only one haha

[@geschiedschrijver]

It made me cringe !

[@DurtMulliganDrums]

It cracks me up all these guys apparently being new to chisel abuse. Yes, it makes me cringe too, but go out into the world sometime and build or fix something in the field. You'll find how easy it is for this to happen when you just need to get the job done!

[@MrDefreese]

DurtMulliganDrums natural dullness is one thing. To see it done deliberately is a little bit tough to watch! Lol.

[@sawdustbob.thestatesmen3656]

Excellent video! Taught me a lot. As far as improving your video, I’ll use an analogy a friend of mine used; “It’s like trying to chrome plate sterling silver.” What you provide is educational, interesting, and human. Good work.

[@greglautz8470]

I never knew sharpening a chisel with so detail-oriented and precise. Glad I learned from the master!

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

'I'm gonna free hand it and use my finger as a clamps'- I have some tissues if anybody needs to dry their tears 😢 lol. I've been practicing freehand. I can get it sharp but I still think that my practice isn't complete because I see you and others hone their chisels to a level that makes mine blush and give me the cold shoulder... Thank you for all that you do! Your channel is one of my go tos on KZbin

[@davegray7206]

He didn't mention it, but you can watch the position of the sparks. That will tell you where the stone is grinding the most off the steel. You can verify when the entire surface is in contact with the grindstone. That tells you that you're almost done; also it can indicate that you're pushing on one side or the other improperly.

[@seahawk528]

Good information and excellent demo. I have 2 chisels that don't need dropping, so will say later how I made out. Cool videos.

[@mcremona]

Thanks!

[@HBSuccess]

Yep - all tools are hammers. Except chisels. Chisels are screwdrivers :-)

[@cuttheloop]

and some screw drivers are chisels

[@manofweed1]

Once dismantled a Lancia V4 with a hammer and wood chisel.

[@steamboatwillie8517]

You've met my old neighbour!!!!!

[@frostgfx]

Matt: Thanks for all you do to support all us, new woodworkers! What type of wheels do you use for your Rikon grinder? I'm about to pull the pin on one. Namaste, to everyone out under such trying times...

[@mcremona]

Thanks Jon! I have the stock wheels on it.

[@caratcranker5874]

When I grind a damaged chisel [ way more than what you had here], the first thing I do is grind the damage off front on to the grinder, [90 degrees say]. and get it dead square, from there you can hollow grind the face, and then do what you did to get the cutting bevel. having a convex curve on a chisel face is ok I guess, but, when you are chiselling door locks and lock strikers etc, a dead square face works much better.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

Carat Cranker I know right! A 90deg square off to start with is just common sense.

[@MrFboyle]

Gnome Add v

[@guyh.4553]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I have been in need of learning how to bring back the cutting edges of my dad's chisel! THANK YOU!

[@ronbianca1975]

I thought I would pass this tip along to you. About 60 years ago when I was taking a course in woodworking an old shop teacher said not to store a plane right side up. He said to store them on their side only. Keep up the great videos.

[@johncochran8497]

What's scary is your dull chisel is a lot sharper than any chisel my father has used. He has a lot of metal objects that are vaguely tool shaped and he actually considers them tools.

[@RoyMach1ne]

My dad has been pounding the S*** out of his Marples set for about 40 years and they still hold up, not sharp though. I'd like to see him try that with a newer set. Some fathers just have a knick for destroying tools :)

[@terrybeldam3449]

RoyMach1ne i

[@jeterrell2]

I spent the afternoon yesterday (day before you published this) sharpening a new set of chisels. Great minds...

[@mcremona]

Jordan Terrell :) chisels ready to go?

[@jeterrell2]

Matthew Cremona yup!

[@jeterrell2]

Matthew Cremona And my planes too! Cut like a hot knife through soft butter! :-)

[@mcremona]

Jordan Terrell nice!!

[@krtwood]

I was taught when grinding out a nick to first grind the chisel square to the wheel until the nick is gone and then grind the bevel down until you get back to a point. That way you aren't concentrating the heat into the tip while you do the majority of the grinding so there's less chance of getting it too hot. Only an issue if you don't have a slow speed grinder, I guess. The problem I always had with the water stones was the slurry would build up so much and actually build up on the wheel of the honing guide (veritas) so it wouldn't roll smoothly anymore unless I kept cleaning it. That and the whole thing about me not ever actually using them...

[@mcremona]

krtwood Great tip! Makes sense. I'm sure you still have to worry about over heating the body but I'm sure that's a lot harder to do since there is so much material there. I don't think I've had any issues with the slurry building up on the wheel...

[@DANVIIL]

To flatten your stone properly just draw a series of pencil lines on the face of your Waterstone at a 45 degree pattern on the left side of the stone and the same on the opposite. Take your diamond plate and flatten the stone. You will immediately see where the stone is still high by the remaining pencil marks. Throw out the jig and learn to sharpen freehand. It's not hard at all if you do a little practice. This is how the Japanese sharpen their $800 - $1,200 artisan blacksmith made chisels where they use wrought iron from old ship anchors and forge weld on a small bit of White Steel for the cutting edge. All Japanese chisels have a concave bottom of the chisel so it has much less friction behind the cutting edge.

[@benny5190]

The start of this video reminded me of the day I turned around to see a bricklayer using my chisels to take up a floorboard i nearly killed him

[@melissabarron1574]

Thank you, just starting to learn about this process. You talking/teaching skills are excellent and easier to follow than others. I have my dads chisels and they are a mess. Looks like I have a few more things to purchase before I get started. Thanks again

[@CrimeVid]

Have you not got your Dad’s sharpening kit ? I’ll guarantee he could get a sharp chisel if he wanted one !

[@PlasmaDan]

5 seconds with the angle grinder is about all the "sharpening" my chisels get. xD

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

I almost wanted to report this video when you were striking the chisel into the nail. That was some graphic content that I felt in my soul 😄

[@AdirondackNY]

8000 grit! is that made by Charmin?

[@Felisargyle]

Ultra strong

[@charlesj.easleyii7642]

Oh God. Imagine using sand paper instead of Charmin ultra soft. 😬 ... 50 grit. 😵😖

[@phooesnax]

Nice job! Had a few inlaws chisels that I think were used on concrete. Great place to perfect the method. I sometimes start with flat surface and wet paper to correct geometry. Another good one Matt.

[@mcremona]

phooesnax Thank you! Good idea! Nothing better to practice on :)

[@robertmowery3370]

One suggestion. Many times knowing the names of the stones that are use is helpful when purchasing a good quality stone.

[@chipewill]

Probably my favorite tools to use. I freehand sharpen mine and they do fine, just have not invested the money into the expensive stones. Probably will at some point. Love the video as usual.

[@mcremona]

Chip Williams Thank you Chip!

[@royster3345]

Anyone else wincing as he dulled the chisel?

[@dzabelal7261]

The cute, cuddly and madman Teddy Bear now has a new subscriber!!! Can Never have balls to do what you did with Chisel.

[@ianwakeling1111]

i am retied butcher by trade sharp tools makes the whole job easier i also like working with wood as well

[@frankingram3382]

Thank you Matt I really needed to see that. I just bought 4 chisels not long ago and I know I will have to sharpen them before I use them. I've never done this but I will give it a try. Again thanks for sharing. God Bless

[@mcremona]

Thank you Frank! Hope you're able to get those chisels sharp.

[@NickFotopoulos]

The beginning is so painful to watch...lol

[@mcremona]

Way more painful to do lol

[@reginaldwigglebottom4731]

Nick Fotopoulos right? NOOO not the Nail!!!

[@brucebear1]

Yeah, 1:35 really hurt! Great work, Matt. Your videos are clear, the principles you're working with are well explained, your craftsmanship is excellent, and your technical knowledge is very good. Thank you.

[@firebladex8586]

@glyn hodges overkill. just use a wonder bar or similar

[@bluecurvedesign]

OUCH! dulling the edge was hard to watch. Reminds me of an old carpenters joke: "You can use any tool as a hammer except chisels - but they can be used for screwdrivers" (and opening paint tins it seems...) Thanks for the tutorial.

[@tangerineman27]

I cried watching that chisel get murdered

[@cgilleybsw]

lol - "murdered" - how any times do you think that happens?

[@gracious_milk3308]

im in a live class rn and my teaches is so sad that he murdered the chisel

[@tommills177]

You almost brought me to tears dulling an edge.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Aesome video! Thanks for sharing!

[@mcremona]

Scrap wood City Thank you!

[@wayneeverts9185]

+++++ +

[@lion39]

Very timely video, my chisels are dull as butter knives. I also appreciate the product links, finding the stones and guide has been impossible at my local sources.

[@mcremona]

lion39 Thank you! I'm glad it was all helpful

[@allansmith6140]

The reason for the "convex" (concave) shape to your chisel is because the grinder wheel you ground it on is round which will give you a concave grind on the chisel, it has nothing to do with your stone.

[@allansmith6140]

@@geraldb8856 If you've ever used a grinder then you didn't notice much. In fact if you just looked at a grinder you should be able to determine that whatever you press against it to grind will not come out flat as the wheel you are grinding on is ROUND. Wondering why I should have to explain something so basic? You could dress the wheel until there is nothing left of it but dust and you would still not solve your problem.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

1:36 ... finally..looks like all the chisels in my shop! 🤣

[@ssn0651]

If you were my father in law you would mix the paint with the chisel once you opened it .

[@jackpardun2898]

That son of a ...

[@MegaFunnyman86]

If it was my father in law he would then paint the wall with it

[@skategreaser]

A friend of mine just gave me a whole set of Stanley wood chisels...he had used each one to try to remove a bearing race from a bicycle. So I'm about to learn how to sharpen chisels.

[@WV591]

no wonder i don't have a single sharp chisel and my chisel sharpener is still setting in box unopened :-)

[@BuildwithMooney]

Matt, thank you so much for this video and all of the information that you covered. You have helped me fine tune my sharpening skills and for that I am grateful! I am in need of a new bench-top grinder, any recommendation's? 😁

[@DIYTyler]

All of my chisels look like 1:36!

[@mcremona]

***** yikes!

[@brodylockley3141]

Mine are way way way worse then that

[@wood4nothing284]

That was the best sharpening video I've seen . Cheers Tim from Wood 4 Nothing

[@mcremona]

thanks!

[@909sickle]

*Sharpening a Dull Chisel* Part 1: Dulling a Sharpened Chisel

[@motorcyclelad]

You are multi talented mr. Demitri Martin!! Love your comedy and your shop videos.

[@jackhall4680]

When you say "move it back a little bit" to get the bevel, you need to DEFINE "a little bit". Is it 1mm, 1 cm or something in between? "A little bit" is VERY imprecise. Otherwise, a great video.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

I just purchased the Veritas Deluxe II set, it arrived today and three Diamond plates a 300 , 600, and 1200 grit. I am really impressed with this jig it is easy to set up and use. I have a new set of chisels that needed to be tuned up with a good edge, after using all three plates and then I really think is the most important part is using a honing compound on a leather strop this buffs the honed surface to a mirror finish. I can cut 20 pound bond paper easily and the hairs on my arm. I put a new edge on an antique hand plane blade that my great Grand Father owned and I am 63 years old. This plane is old. It now planes with a proper edge on it. I forgot to mention that the micro bevel feature works very well. Everything is repeatable to the same angle. And if you really want to see your progress use 10 power jewelers lope to see and fine tune the edges.

[@fredfredburger9404]

Man, so easy a caveman could do it

[@toughrow]

Fred Fredburg

[@christinecahill2874]

This might sound stupid. But i winced when you used the chisel on the nail. Lol I'm such a dork. Great video Matt.

[@DemasShopforEverything]

First

[@mcremona]

You're always first!

[@woodturningjohn]

Just missed out, damn :)

[@gordonclark7632]

I nearly cried when I saw you abusing the chisel to make the video. I could have sent any of mine from Australia for you to sharpen. No dulling needed!

[@mcremona]

Next time :)

[@13bravoredleg18]

Reclaimed lumber is hard on chisels. I hit square nails from time to time! I like 1075 carbon steel because it's easy to sharpen.

[@stevenevans3682]

I really enjoyed watching this. Very informative,

[@TheRealGrandadNo1]

Matt, I almost cried when I saw you making that chisel dull, however it is a great video, thank you for posting!

[@zrig1]

A thing I do when flattening a stone is to draw a pencil grid on it. Best way to see the high and low spots.

[@jasonjohnson4170]

Might be a good investment to grab a 1500 or 2000 grit stone to use after the 800 grit. That way you won't have to work so hard on the 4000 grit. Moving up in closer increments makes life a lot easier. Excellent video though

[@vaulimere]

Great video Matt, thanks for sharing your experience.

[@mcremona]

***** Thank you, Jon!

[@Argyll9846]

I've sharpened dull chisels (just as you did) using a King stone and it's a slow process and not one for the impatient to take on. The results, however, make the effort worth while.

[@stormman8393]

You’re one of the best on you tube great video

[@AndyL714]

Not exactly how the guys from the old country taught me, but this does the job. I would recommend a concave grind all the way thru. No high point in the middle. Also, no secondary angle, that’s only for knives.

[@mclam5623]

Your TOP, best video on charpening I ever seen on KZbin. From a very dull to raser sharp, and no corners taken to foul anyone. Thx man

[@Donegaldan]

Good explanation and demonstration.

[@richardsilva-spokane3436]

Excellent video! Thanks 👍👍👍

[@WoodenCreationz]

Now I see why you never let them get dull.... Now it makes sense! Great video!

[@fishhuntadventure]

By the time a chisel actually gets dull it’s been useless for a long time. I’ve got a piece of wet’n’dry spray-glued to the seldom used corner of my table saw. Two or three passes (5 seconds!) and you’re sharp again for a long time. A dull chisel is nearly pointless so you never let them be dull

[@WoodworkingBarcelona]

Thanks for those sharpening tips Matt!

[@mcremona]

Woodworking Barcelona No problem, Lluís! It was fun!

[@emporerzurg2125]

Hi Matthew really liked your chisel sharpening guide, I have an old honing guide that was my late fathers but has a flat spot on the baring can you buy replacements for them or is it easier to but another honing guide ?

[@bradleyrhoades1065]

And that is exactly why I bought the works sharp tool sharpener. -4 seconds and done and a perfect edge everytime.- I don't want spend 3 hours sharpening- good video still though Matt

[@stablecottagescotland5042]

Nice... very professionally done!

[@mcremona]

+Stable Cottage Scotland thanks!

[@ruebenbrown5722]

I picked up some great tips watching this video. Like the jig for example. I must check if I can buy one here in New Zealand. Our woodwork teacher sharpened the chisels free hand. I thought that was the only way.

[@RPC1231]

And... you offered a heartfelt apology to your chisel after abusing it so wantonly; hilarious and informative segment.

[@mcremona]

Orion We made up in the end :)

[@roberthunt1856]

great video matt,did mine the same way yesterday.

[@leonardnoel888]

Good presentation is done. Thank you.

[@bradchance6091]

This was a great help.

[@jeffclarkofclarklesparkle3103]

So just in case anyone out there wants to even make a chisel out of something, the angles to shapen at might be a big question. They are 20 degrees for the longer part of the blade and 30 degrees for the tip. I do everything by hand with files and stones and wet sandpaper so i made a 20 and 30 degree cut on each end of a piece of wood to guide my hand to near the right angles just before i put it to the stone or paper. It works great along with the techniques learned here. I put the wet sandpaper on a few pieces of flat plexiglass and 1 picture glass i stole from an old frame of mine, tape it down and get it wet. Go through the grits up to 2000 and you'll have a mirror finish you can shave with 😁. Not to take away from anything here, just to add. Some people are perfectionists even without all the fancy equipment.

[@wemcal]

Great video and great information

[@snipper1ie]

I sharpened a set of chisels for a friend. When I met him again, I asked about the chisels. "Don't talk to me about the chisels, I was up at her house doing a bit of work and I looked down and her brother was taking off a length of skirting with the big one"

[@MaghoxFr]

Oh man, the dulling is hard to witness. Great video man

[@mcremona]

lol thanks!

[@Chris-op7yt]

apart from holding the chisel slightly off, a grinding wheel always produces a concave grind, because a wheel doesnt have flat surface

[@johncoops6897]

No, dummy. What an idiotic comment! He means left to right ACROSS the wheel. Which is something you always want to dress up before grinding. The concave the other direction (around the wheel) is very desirable since it makes sharpening much easier.

[@ThomasShue]

This is the guy who slabs HUGE trees in his custom mill. That laugh was a dead give away. I love this guy!

[@paulmelanson1527]

When I saw you damage that chisel...i closed my eyes and shook my head.. why....? Great video