Sharpening a Dull Chisel - Ask Matt #8

A dull chisel is something that is hard to come by in my shop. So when I was asked to show how I would sharpen a dull chisel, I had to get creative with my dulling process. This videos shows how I would restore the edge of a heavy damaged chisel using a slow speed grinder and my water stones.
Tools Used:
[Amazon links are affiliate links]

This is the eighth episode of my Ask Matt series where I answer broader topic questions. If you have an idea for a topic for a future episode, please let me know.

[mauricekeithjohnson]

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 !

[jaredkain]

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

[francisbarnett]

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

[petercbmadsen]

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.

[gailpengelly]

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.

[phome]

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 !!!!

[theskip]

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.

[TedAlexander]

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.

[steamboatwillie]

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!

[lope]

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.

[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.

[seahawk]

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

[lukejohnson]

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. 😆

[mikelkd]

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

[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!

[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.

[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.

[u.sonomabeach]

'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 YouTube

[joshuamillar]

I died inside watching you blunt that chisel

[stevenevans]

I really enjoyed watching this. Very informative,