Shopping Cart

Shopping Basket

Items:   Value:  
Accepted Payments

Chisel Sharpening

Chisel sharpening information and recommended chisel sharpener products. Includes video on how to sharpen chisels and written guide to sharpening new and used chisels. Applicable to wood chisels and other woodworking tools.

Sharpening Chisels

Sharpening a new chisel

When sharpening a new chisel you are going to need to flatten the face before you sharpen the bevel. This is done by lubricating an extra coarse diamond bench stone (Diamond Whetstone™, Duo-Sharp® & Dia-Sharp® models available) with water and placing the back of the chisel down on the sharpener.

Push downward on the face and move the chisel from one end of the diamond stone to the other with long fluid strokes (see illustration below).

chisel sharpening - new chisels

Next, use the coarse grit stone and step down through the grits, ending with extra fine. Use the same procedure as with the extra coarse stone.

After all the diamond grits have been utilised, you can step down into the Dia-Paste™ diamond compound to achieve a mirror finish.

Sharpening the bevel

Now we're ready to sharpen the bevel of the chisel. Put your thumbs under the blade and your fingers on top (see the video below for an illustration of this). Using your hands in this fashion gives you a makeshift jig.

Make long fluid strokes back and forth, pushing the blade downward onto the stone. Use a fine grit diamond sharpening stone unless the blade is very dull or chipped, in which case start with a coarse grit.

chisel sharpening - the bevel edge

Adding a micro bevel

After sharpening the bevel you may want to put a micro bevel on the end of the blade. This is done by holding the chisel in the same manner and matching the bevel to an extra fine stone. Now lift the chisel up a small amount to an angle of about 1 or 2 degrees greater than the bevel. Only a few strokes and you have a sharp micro bevel.

Finally, lay the face down flat again and give two quick strokes to take the wire burr off the bevel edge.

Chisel Sharpeners - Recommended Products

The first rule of work shop maintenance is sharpen your tools. DMT Diamond Whetstone™, Duo-Sharp® and Dia-Sharp® bench stones are renowned by woodworkers and others for their remarkable sharpening speed, precision flatness and ease of use. Each range offers it's own benefits...

DMT Diamond Whetstone - bench stones

DMT Diamond Whetstone™ Bench Stones

Interrupted diamond surface with recessed holes that collect the metal bits during sharpening, preventing loading and making sharpening fast, easy and clean. Available in 6in & 8in models.

DMT Duo-Sharp - bench stones

DMT Duo-Sharp® Bench Stones

Double-sided, innovative sharpening stones. Precision-flat, two-diamond sharpener, guaranteed to provide consistent, even sharpening every time. Interrupted diamond surface. Available in 8in & 10in models.

DMT Dia-Sharp - bench stones

DMT Dia-Sharp® Bench Stones

For users who prefer a continuous diamond surface or must sharpen small or pointed tools. Available in the widest array of sizes and grits, including extra extra coarse & extra extra fine. With non-skid rubber feet. Available in 6in, 8in, 10in & 11.5in models.

How to sharpen a Chisel - Video

How to sharpen a planer blade (same technique for a chisel). Courtesy of DMT® ...



>> Buy a DMT Dia-Sharp® continuous diamond bench stone!

>> Buy a DMT Diamond Whetstone™ interrupted bench stone!

>> Buy a DMT Duo-Sharp® double-sided interrupted diamond stone!

Diamond Grit Types - Which to use?

DMT diamond grit types guide

By working through the DMT® system of progressively finer grits, you will quickly achieve a razor sharp edge on quality knives and tools. The DMT® diamond products are colour-coded for identification. In our product descriptions, coloured diamond shapes denote the specific grits in which each model is available.

Which grit you should use depends on... How often do you sharpen? How dull do you let your knife or tool edge get before you re-sharpen it? How sharp is sharp enough for you? Ask yourself these questions, and then read the grit descriptions (left) to determine which grit(s) best suits your needs. Hint: the pros use more than one grit & move from coarser to finer grits as they sharpen.

Chisel Sharpening - Questions

If you have any questions about sharpening chisels then please don't hesitate to contact us.

You can email us at sales@buybrandtools.com.

Or you can call us on (0114) 251 3535 - Monday-Friday (8.45am-5pm).

Shop By Category

Free UK Delivery

When you spend over £100 (+VAT)*


Free UK Delivery

Economy = £4.95 (+VAT)
(small & non-bulky items only)

Next Work Day = £6.95 (+VAT)
Orders £100 and over = FREE!

Long Length = £14.95 (+VAT)
(next day, for any order value)

Full UK Delivery Info
European Delivery Info
Worldwide Delivery Info
* Free over £100 excludes long length items (tile trim & 1.2m+ levels)


Service You Can Trust

Scott, and his small team of friendly customer service advisors work extremely hard to ensure that your order is delivered when you expect it. Scott is available to answer any enquiries you may have.

Friendly Customer Service