For every trade there are indispensable tools. Tools that are the mainstay of the profession, tools that are bought with quality and endurance in mind and tools that will last the lifetime of the owner. For the woodworker, one such tool is the chisel. This tool is one which has so many uses that a woodworker's box without a chisel is very much incomplete, if not almost useless.
There are many different uses of the humble chisel from gradually paring the thinnest of shavings when you're trying to make a door fit, to constructing a jointing system for any number of woodworking projects or severing large chunks of wood at a time to make waste wood usable again.
One of the most elemental techniques for the new chisel worker to learn is how to keep the chisel sharp. A blunt chisel if virtually useless, so learn this skill first. Don't rely on a grinder, you never know when you won't have one handy. You'll always have a file with you, so learn how to sharpen your chisel by hand.
Another tip is to have a variety of chisel sizes on hand. You will always need more than one. A large chisel can do much more work, whereas you'll need a selection of smaller chisels for more delicate jobs. If you are only going to buy one, make it a three quarter inch. Also, when you buy any chisel, go for quality over quantity every time. If you have the choice between one expensive quality chisel over a ten pack of inferior but cheaper tools, pay out the money and start saving for your next tool.
There are many ways to use your chisel. Here are a couple of basics. You can use it as a two handed tool for careful paring. Using this technique, one hand applies the force while the other hand guides. You can use your chisel in conjunction with a hammer to severe large chunks by force. Be careful with this technique that you don't bite off more than you can chew. With the extra power you lose a lot of control.
Learning how to use a chisel properly, with precision and skill, takes time and lots of practice. You need to have a lot of patience, especially in the early days. Make sure you work on cheap materials while you're learning your skills. This way, if you make any mistakes, at least it won't be costing you too much money.
