Common Masonry Tools used in Masonry Construction

01. Trowel
The basic masonry trowel is made up of stainless steel with a plastic/ wooden handle. The ends of
trowel may be bull nosed or pointed. This is used to lift and spread mortar in joints during masonry
construction. There are different kinds and sizes of trowels used in masonry work.

02. Corner Trowel

It is one of the common modifications of the basic trowel. It is used for shaping corners of the wall.
They are two types of Corner Trowel.
(A) Outside Corner Trowel
There are different designs of outside corner trowel but the one shown at left side with shorter
flanges is the most common. These outside corner trowel can have a sharp 90-degree angle or a bull
nose (rounded) edge.

Also Read: Various Shapes of Brick used in Construction

(B) Inside Corner Trowel
These are more common than the outside corner trowel, just because corner aid is used on the
outside corners. They have standard features, comparable to an outside corner tool but also have
adjustable models that can get wider or narrower, depending on the angle of the corner.
Also Read: Various Types of Red Brick Based on Manufacturing Method

03. Setting Out Square or Mason Square

It is used to set out right angles at the corner of masonry wall. This is very important and basic tool
used in masonry work. This tool has “L” shape. It is made of flat steel having each arm about 0.5 m
long.

4. Plumb Rule and Bob

This basic masonry tool is used to check the verticality of walls. It consists of a string tied to a
weight at bottom called bob and straight wood board with uniform edges called plumb rule. On its
center a groove is provided in which plumb bob is placed. When the rule is placed vertically with
the wall, the plumb bob must be in the groove line indicating the perfect vertical wall. If the plumb
ball does not fall on the groove line, the wall will not be vertical.
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Also Read: Types of Masonry that can be Used for Construction of your Dream Home

05. Spirit Level

It is used to check the horizontality and verticality of the surfaces. Spirit level is made of hard
plastic or wood with bubble tube in the middle. The bubble tube is partially filled with alcohol in
such a way that, an air bubble is formed in it. The spirit level is placed on surface of masonry wall
and bubble is checked. The surface is called leveled when the bubble in the tube settles at middle of
tube.
 6. Line and Pins
It is used to maintain the alignment of the work-in-progress. Line and pins consist of a string whose
ends are connected with two solid metal rods with pin points. It is used to level line and the
alignment of brick course while brick laying in brick masonry work.

07. Water Level

It is used to transfer and check level. It is a simple tool to measure the level at two different points.
It is a tool that works on the principle that water always seeks its own level. It consists of flexible
tube with liquid, and the liquid at both ends will be at the same level whether you’re holding them
together or spreading them a hundred feet apart.

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Also Read: Benefits of Masonry in House Construction

78. Spades (phavadas)

They are used to mix mortar and also used to place cement, mortar, concrete in head pan. Spade is
also used to dig the soil for foundation trenches etc. It consists of metal plate at the end of long
wooden handle.

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10. Mortar Pan / ghamela

Mortar pan is commonly used in construction sites and is made of iron or plastic. It is a vessel made
of rigid plastic or steel used to hold or carry sand, cement, mortar and concrete. It is also used to
mix mortar and to lift mortar on working site. To use a mortar pan, fill it with a quantity of material
i.e. sand, cement, mortar etc. that you are comfortable with carrying.

11. Jointer
A jointer in masonry construction is a tool in the form of a striking iron or a striking tool used to
finish the horizontal or the vertical mortar joints. A jointer or brick jointer is a hand tool designed
to imprint grooves into recently filled mortar joints at the stage when they are starting to set. Using
a brick jointer helps to improve and visual impact and the lifespan of the mortar. Jointer is used to
refer to any tool which can shape the mortar between bricks.
 Masonry Tools for Stone Masonry
12. Bevel
It is employed to set out angles. It comprises of two slotted blades of steel and fixed with each other
with thumb screw. It is a tool consisting of two rules or arms joined together and opening to any
angle.
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13. Pick Axe

It is employed for rough dressing of stones and to split the stones in the quarry. It has a long head
pointed at both ends.
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Also Read: 10 Types of Stones that can be Used for Masonry

14. Crow Bar

It is employed for dressing the surface of stones. This consists of an iron edge with a number of
teeth from 3 mm to 9 mm.
 15. Chisel
They are used with mallets and with hammers. A chisel is used for normal splitting, roughing out
and shaping the stone. Chisels are available in different sizes with bladed, flat, tapered and other
shaped chipping points. Blade of chisel is made from iron or metal and the handle is made from
wood.

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Also Read: Types of Wood and Their Uses

16. Wood handled chisel

It is used to dress soft stones. A chisel is a tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge of
blade on its end, for carving or cutting stone by hand. Its handle is made from wood or plastic.

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17. Drafting Chisel

It is a chisel especially used for cutting a border or line at the edge of a stone. They come in
different types of size. Grooves are made with the drafting chisel at the all four edges of stone.
And, these stones are used in plinths and at corners in building.
 18. Tooth Chisel
Tooth chisel is also used for fine dressing. It is a hand-held tool of metal consisting of a long shaft,
with a toothed cutting edge at one end. It is again usually hit with a mallet or metal hammer. The
number of teeth on this cutting edge varies, generally between three and five, but a variation with
two teeth also exists. The tooth chisel is normally used between roughing-out and finishing, to clear
away the rough marks left by the point chisel and prepare the surface for finer work.

Also Read: Stone Masonry Construction: 40+ Various Guidelines to Keep in Mind!

19. Boaster
Tooth chisel is also used for fine dressing. It is a hand-held tool of metal consisting of a long shaft,
with a toothed cutting edge at one end. It is again usually hit with a mallet or metal hammer. The
number of teeth on this cutting edge varies, generally between three and five, but a variation with
two teeth also exists. The tooth chisel is normally used between roughing-out and finishing, to clear
away the rough marks left by the point chisel and prepare the surface for finer work.

20. Spalling Hammer

It is a stone mason’s tool. It is a heavy hammer used for cutting, shaping and rough dressing of
stones. It has a beveled striking face. It is a large hammer usually with a flat face and straight peen
for rough dressing and breaking of stone.
 21. Mash Hammer
A mash hammer is also known as a stone mason’s hammer. It is used to hit and drive chisel for
rough dressing of stone. It is double-sided with two striking faces, most often used in stone
masonry work. It should only be used to strike stones, but can also be used for such tasks as
chipping away mortar in stone masonry. This hammer consists of a wooden handle to which is
attached a heavy head, usually made of metal.
 22. Mallet (Wooden Hammer)
It is a basic tool used for shaping of stone. It is a wooden hammer used for driving wooden headed
chisels. It usually has a large head.
 23. Dummy (Iron Hammer)
It is used for carving of stones. It has also large round shape head which is made of iron. Its handle
is made up of wood.
Also Read: Difference Between Brick Masonry and Stone Masonry

24. Scabbling Hammer

Scabbling also called scappling is the process of reducing stone while dressing of stone. In
scabbling dressing, only irregular angels are taken off with a scabbling hammer. Hence scabbling
hammer is a tool used to break small projections of stones or removing irregular bushings from the
face of stone. It has a large head made of iron and wooden handle.

25. Waller’s Hammer

It is used for removing spalls in stone masonry work. It also consists of iron head and wooden
handle.
 26. Club Hammer
It is used to strike arrow -headed chisels. It is also useful for light demolition work, driving
masonry nails, and for use with a steel chisel when cutting stone. Its weight drives the chisel more
deeply into the material being cut than any lighter hammers. It also consists of iron head and
wooden handle like other stone masonry tools.
Also Read: Few Top-of-the-Line Repair Tools for DIY Projects of House

27. Pitching Tool

Pitching tool is a hand driven tool comprising of a long edge with a thick point. The ‘working-
edge’ of the pitching tool has a broad flat face that is generally ground to an angle just slightly-off
the perpendicular. It is mainly used to make stones of required size. If the carving block of the
stone has flat-sawn faces, then this tool can be used to remove a great deal of waste material at the
initial stages of carving.
Also Read: Explain Vibratory Plate Compactor Compaction Equipment

28. Gauge
It is employed to dress stones for spring, course, cornice, coping etc. It is made of metal.
 29. Punch
It is employed to dress the hard stones roughly. It is one-piece rod-shaped tool made from metal
designed to be struck by hammer. It’s one end is pointed and other is round shape.
Also Read: Benefits of Masonry in House Construction

30. Point
It is employed for roughly dressing the hard and tough stones. Point is also used for roughing out
areas and knocking off high spots in stones. Point tool is used after any initial work with the
pitching tool. Both point and punch are used to rough-out the form but the latter tapers to a small
cutting edge of stone whereas the former tapers to a single point of the stone.

Also Read: Pneumatic Roller Compaction Equipment

31. Claw Tool

It is employed for dressing the surface of stones. This consists of an edge with a number of teeth
from 3 mm to 9 mm. Claw tool is used after the coarse carving with the point tool. The claw tool,
with its row of pointed teeth, acts like a rake to even out the surface irregularities left by the point.
While using this tool, care should be taken to ensure all of the chisel’s teeth are in contact with the
stone, in order to prevent breakage.
 32. Nicker (Broad tool)
The mason’s nicker (Broad tool) is made from high quality steel. The blade is thicker and beveled
on both sides to create a cutting blade. It is held at right angles to the stone and hit with a hammer
to split the stone.
Also Read: Various Types of Excavation Equipment Use on Construction Site

33. Jumper
It is a long drilling tool consisting of an iron bar with a chisel-edged steel tip at one or both ends,
operated by striking it against the rock, turning it a little with each blow. They are used to bore
holes for blasting purposes in a quarry by quarry workers and masons.
 34. Wedge and Feathers
It is an oldest yet, one of the best tools to split the stone. It is a three-piece set tool. Each set of tool
consists of a metal wedge (also called plug), and two shims (also called feathers). The feathers are
tapered and curved at the top and wide at the bottom. When the two feathers are arranged on either
side of the wedge, the combined width of the set is the same at both ends. They are employed for
cutting the stones after they have been bored with a jumper.
Also Read: Ready Mix Mortar for Brickwork, Plaster and Repair Maintenance!

35. Gad
Gad is a small, steel, wedge-shaped tool used for splitting of the stone
 36. Drag
It is employed to level a stone surface. It consists of blades set at alternating angles, between 15 and
30 degrees, over the length of a block of wood. The blades are toothed to provide even removal of
surface material. Some drags can be fitted with specially shaped blades to follow convex surfaces.

Also Read: 4 Tips on Choosing the Best Used Woodworking Tools!

37. Hand Saw

It is used to cut soft stones. It is a saw with wide cross-cut toothed steel blade and wooden/plastic
handle at one end. I It is used by one hand.
Also Read: Most Useful Plumbing Tools for Plumbing Project and Repair

38. Circular Saw

A circular saw is either hand held or affixed to a substrate. It runs on electricity and is provided
with a toothed or abrasive blade/disc which has the ability to cut different materials including
wood, stone, brick, metals, plastic by using a rotary motion that spins around an arbor.

39. Cross-cut-saw
It is used to cut hard stones. It is designed specifically for rough cutting. It has a comparatively
thick blade, with large, beveled teeth. Traditional 2-man crosscut saws (felling saws) have a handle
on each end and are meant to be used by two people to cut stones.
 40. Frame Saw
This is used to cut large blocks of stones. It consists of a comparatively narrow and flexible blade
held under tension within a (generally wooden) rectangular frame called sash or gate. The blade is
held perpendicular to the plane of the frame, so that the stone passes through the center of the
frame.

41. Brick Hammer

It is used for rough cutting of bricks in different shapes and sizes. One end of the hammer is square
and another end is sharp-edged. It has one flat traditional face and a short or long chisel shaped
blade. It is also used to push the bricks if they come out from the course line.
Also Read: 30+ Guidelines for Constructing a Brick Masonry Wall

42. Lump Hammer and Bolster

Lump hammer is used for light demolition work or to break masonry. In order to cut brick
accurately, a steel chisel with a very wide blade called bolster is employed.

43. Double-end Comb Hammer or Skutch

It is used to remove surplus material after cutting of bricks by bolster, for greater accuracy. The
Hammer has two groove components for double sided use. Comb of hammer is a made from iron or
similar metal whereas handle is made up of plastic or wood.
Also Read: All About Brick Masonry Construction and Its Precautions

44. Straight Edge

Straight edge act as extensors to mason’s level. They are used when levels are shorter than the area
that needs to be measured or assessed. The middle section of the top of the straight edge should be
horizontally parallel to the bottom section. It is used for checking the straightness of brickwork.
Also Read: 10 Qualities of a Good Clay Bricks

45. Brickwork Gauge Rod

It is similar to straighten edges on which levels of different courses of bricks including sills
and lintels are marked. It may be as long as the height of the ceiling. It is used to confirm that
courses are maintained at correct levels.
 46. Bricklaying Trowel
It is a flat triangular trowel used in bricklaying for cutting brick and spreading mortar or cement.
The trowel is also used to tap bricks down on to the bed and can be used for random cutting of soft
bricks. They come in various shapes and sizes depending on the task.
What Are Construction Tools?
Tools and instruments that are used in construction work known as construction
tools. In this article, we have provided 40+ construction tools (with images) and
their uses in building work.

Construction Tools List:

1. Tape
It consists of a flexible ribbon of plastic, fiber glass, or metal strip with linear-
measurement markings. This is used to measure length, size, or distance.

2. Masonry Trowel
It is a hand tool used in brickwork, stonework, or plastering for placing, leveling,
shaping, and smoothing mortar or concrete. They are available in various shapes
and sizes depending upon the work.
3. Head Pan
It is a round container, like a bowl used to transport construction materials.

4. Plumb Bob
Plumb bob is a small weight with a pointed tip, hangs from a string. This is one of
the most important construction tools used to check vertical alignment for civil
works.
5. Hoe
It is a long-handled tool with a sharp metal blade used for digging, mixing concrete
ingredients, placing mortar/concrete in head pan etc.

6. Wooden Float
This tool has a plane surface used to make concrete surface smooth during
plastering and finishing.
7. Spade
A long-handled tool consisting of a blade, stunted and less curved than that of a
shovel mainly used for digging purposes.

8. Digging Bar
This is used for digging and loosing the soil.
9. Crow Bar
A crowbar is a metal tool used mainly for removing the nails from shuttering
boards.

10. Wheel Barrow

Wheel barrow is a construction tool having one wheel and two handles that is used
to transport concrete, soil or any other material from one place to another place.

11. Hammer
A hammer is a tool consisting of a weighted head fixed to a long handle that is used
to drive nails into shuttering boards, walls, etc.

12. Chisel
This tool is used to remove excess concrete from hardened surface.

13. Bump Cutter/Screed

This tool is made of wood, mainly used to level fresh concrete and provide a
smooth surface especially in the concrete slab.
14. Vacuum Blower
It is used to clean dust from floor or concrete slab.

15. Needle Vibrator

This construction tool is very essential during pouring of concrete into
reinforcement. It is used for compaction of the concrete perfectly.
15. Earth Rammer
This tool is used to level the ground soil.

16. Tamper
A tamper is a hand tool used to compress or compact earth or soil. Compacting the
earth makes it hard and level, a suitable groundwork for projects that need a hard,
flat surface.
17. Right Angle Frame
It is used to check the right angle of masonry or plastering work.

18. Polisher
It is an electrically driven polishing machine used to polish granite/marbles. This
helps to provide a very smooth surface of marbles.
19. Concrete Mixer
This is a construction tool used to mix cement, sand, aggregates and water manually
and produce concrete.

20. Sand Screening Machine

It is used to sieve sand for use in construction work. Sand is poured on the sieve or
mesh which vibrates and separate fine grain sand easily.
21. Drill
Drill machine is used to make a hole of circular cross-section in solid materials like
wood, steel, concrete, etc.

22. Hand Saw

It is a hand tool used to cut wood for shuttering and other works.
23. Circular Saw
It is an electrically driven machine consisting of a circular blade used to cut wood,
steel rods, etc. The use of hand saw is now replaced by this tool.

24. Block Plane / Jack Plane

This tool is used to make wood surface smooth and plane for doors and windows.
25. Jack Hammer
These construction tools are used to demolish old concrete, break stones, remove
pavement, and demolish many other surfaces in construction projects.

26. Tile Cutter

It is used in tiling or marble work. By this tool tiles or marbles are cut to the
required size and shape.
27. Line Level
It is a small tool that is used to check the horizontal surface level in brickw

ork, plastering, flooring, plumbing,

electric, and tile works.

28. Torpedo Level

This tool is a combination of line level and framing square.
29. Water Level
An U-shaped tube is used to check the level by means of the surface of water.

30. Brick Bolster

It is like a chisel used to cut bricks. Its cutting edge enables for accurate cutting of
bricks.
31. Binding Hook
It is one of the useful construction tools to tie binding wires in reinforcement.

32. Ladder
Ladder is used to climb up or climb down.
33. Measuring Box
It is used to measure the quantity of cement, sand, or aggregates for concrete.

34. Putty Knife

A putty knife is a hand tool used in putty finishing to limit the thickness of the
putty.
35. Welding Machine
This machine is used for welding purposes to joint different pieces of steel or rods.

36. De-Watering Pump

Dewatering pumps are used to remove water from a construction site, building site,
pond, and other areas.

37. Measuring Wheel

This construction tool is used to measure lengths.

38. Rebound Hammer

It is used to check the compressive strength of concrete.

39. Scoop
It is used in quality control department for material.
40. Line and Pins
This consists of a thread whose ends are connected with two solid metal rods with
pointed tips. It is used to level the alignment of the brick course during brick laying.

41. Straight Edge Brush

It is used to provide good finishing to the plastered surface especially at the corners
and edges of walls.
42. Wire Brush
It is used to clean concrete surface and other materials.

43. Scratcher
It is used to scratch first layer of plastering.
Safety Tools:
Here I am including safety tools in the construction tools list because safety should
be first priority in any construction work.

44. Helmet
Safety helmet is must in construction works. Safety helmets will protect the user’s
head against impact from objects falling from height, or any fatal accident.

45. Hand Gloves

These are used to avoid direct contact with harmful chemicals, dangerous tools, or
machines.
46. Safety Glass
This is used to save our eyes while drilling, hacking/roughening, grinding.

47. Safety Belt

Safety belt is must to work on heights.
48. Rubber Boots
These are to prevent skin from direct chemical contact, dangerous machines and
tools.

s
A chisel is a popular tool that is used to cut, shape, carve, and split a variety of materials, including wood,
metal, brick, and concrete. Chisels typically have a cutting blade on one end and a straight handle for the user to
grip on the other end.

Chisels can be used to break apart concrete, carve fine details into metal, cut grooves into brick, and shape
woodworking projects. However, the effectiveness of the tool depends on the specific material and use. Learn
more about these 20 types of chisels and how to choose one for your project.

 01of 20

Cold Chisel

soponbiz / Getty Images

Best for: Cutting soft metals.

While most chisels are used for woodworking, a cold chisel is specifically design to cut and
carve metals that are softer than the material used to craft the tool. These chisels can also be
used to cut off rivets, rusted nuts, and seized bolts, instead of fighting to free these worn
fasteners.

Cold chisels are typically made with reinforced tempered steel and have traditionally been
used by blacksmiths and other metal workers to cut metal while it is still cold, which is
where the chisel gets its name.

 02of 20

Concrete Chisel
Ladislav Kubeš / Getty Images

Best for: Breaking apart or chipping concrete.

In some cases, concrete needs to be chipped, cracked, or otherwise broken apart, which is
when a concrete chisel is most effective. These chisels are not made for fine carving, joinery,
or wood shaping. Instead, concrete chisels are bulky tools that are designed to break through
concrete.

Plumbers use these chisels to break up concrete floors or chip concrete walls for better
access to buried plumbing lines. Concrete chisels can also be used in minor demolition
projects, sculpting, and rockhounding.

 03of 20

Masonry Chisel
The Spruce / Jacob Fox

Best for: Cutting through masonry materials.

Masonry chisels are also commonly known as mason's chisels. These tools are made of
tough, durable metal and have flat, wide blade that is used to cut through brick, concrete, or
even stone. Due to the shape of the blade, masonry chisels are also effective for removing
excess mortar.

The end of the handle is designed to withstand the impact of heavy hammer strikes, allowing
the user to focus on cutting or chipping the masonry material. However, some masonry
chisels can also be attached to small jackhammers or heavy-duty hammer drills for
demolition projects.

 04of 20

Brick Chisel
 superburo / Getty Images

Best for: Creating smooth cracks and cuts on bricks.

Brick chisels, or bolster chisels, have a wide blade that can crack masonry blocks when the
chisel is struck with a hammer. However, these chisels are better put to use creating smooth
cracks and cuts on the surface of bricks. Brick chisels can also be used to chip away uneven
mortar or concrete to create a smooth surface, though they are not strong enough to cut
through metal. The most basic use for a brick chisel is to improve user efficiency when
cracking bricks, masonry blocks, or stone.

 05of 20

Gouge Chisel
Piotr Wytrazek / Getty Images

Best for: Cutting round or semi-circular grooves.

Gouge chisels are a specialized type of woodworking chisel. When tackling a woodworking
project, not every cut is going to be straight. Sometimes the DIYer will need to make a round
or semi-circular groove in the material to finish a design. This is when a gouge chisel is a
useful tool to have on hand.

This type of chisel has a curved blade that comes in a range of sizes, though the most
common sizes are 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, and 3/4-inch. Gouge chisels will generally have a
durable cutting blade and a wood or metal handle that is easy to grip, for enhanced accuracy
and control.

 06of 20

Curved Chisel
OlegUsmanov / Getty Images

Best for: Complex wood shaping and carving projects.

Another type of specialty woodcarving chisel is the curved chisel. These tools have a U-
shaped blade that allows the users to cut deep furrows into the wood, removing more
material in a single pass that a standard bench chisel.

Additionally, these chisels offer precise control when carving detailed designs or shaping
woodworking projects, making them ideal for artisans and DIY woodworkers. However,
curved chisels should be used in tandem with a more general-purpose chisel to quickly
remove excess material before getting to the complex detail work.

 07of 20

Skew Chisel
 Izabela Habur / Getty Images

Best for: Cutting intricate details into wood surfaces.

A skew chisel is intended for finish carving, with a long, angled blade that is ideal for cutting
intricate patterns and fine details into the wood. The shape of the blade and the pointed tip
can also be used with precise control to cut delicate dovetails and other joinery techniques.

With a mallet or hammer made for woodworking projects, the user can strike the skew chisel
without damaging the tools, allowing them to cut smooth lines and precise angles. Just make
sure the blade is regularly sharpened to ensure the skew chisel remains as accurate as
possible.

 08of 20

Framing Chisel
 Westend61 / Getty Images

Best for: Boat building and timber framing applications.

As the name implies, a framing chisel can be used in timber framing applications due to the
size and shape of the blade, which is wider, longer, and thicker than the blade of a firmer
chisel. Framing chisels can come with beveled edges or straight edges, allowing the user to
select the ideal type of blade without switching to a different type of chisel. These chisels
can also be used in boat construction, and they typically feature a sturdy capped handle that
is designed to withstand the force of repeated strikes from a mallet.

 09of 20

Corner Chisel
The Spruce

Best for: Cutting grooves and tidying up square corners.

Given the wide variety of chisels and the similarly wide variety of uses, it should come as no
surprise that many chisels have been given simple names that indicate their purpose.
Following this logic, corner chisels are used to cut smooth square corners, though they can
also be used to cut grooves in woodworking pieces.

Corner chisels generally have a medium-length blade that features an angled cross-section in
the shape of a 90-degree corner. By lining up the corner chisel with a rough-cut corner, the
user can tidy up the shape of the corner.

 10of 20

Dovetail Chisel
Shutterwolf / Getty Images

Best for: Cutting and finishing dovetail joints.

A dovetail chisel is made for the specific purpose of cutting and finishing dovetail joints. A
dovetail joint is commonly used in wood joinery projects. The dovetail chisel cleans out and
sharpens the edges of the interlocking parts in a dovetail joint, allowing the workpiece to fit
together without a problem.

Dovetail chisels generally have a long, thin blade with beveled edges. The cutting edge of
these chisels usually sits between 20 to 30 degrees, and these tools typically have smooth,
wooden handles that help with accuracy and control.

 11of 20

Butt Chisel
The Spruce

Best for: Cutting mortises for butt hinges.

Butt chisels are primarily used for cutting mortises for butt hinges. Butt chisels have a
distinctive short, wide blade that is ideal for cutting mortises, but also for removing large
amount of material in a short period of time.

DIYers may want to have a butt chisel on hand if they plan to update the doors in the home
or switch the door hardware. These chisels come in both bevel-edged and straight-edged
designs, so users can select the right option based on the project.

 12of 20

Firmer Chisel
mihalec / Getty Images

Best for: Creating joints with sharp, 90-degree corners.

Firmer chisels are one of the oldest types of modern chisels still in use today. These chisels
typically have a flat blade with square edges that is ideal for cutting precise 90-degree
corners, and hardwood handles that are easy to grip.

Firmer chisels have straight cutting edges that can be used for a variety of general-purpose
cutting, carving, and shaping projects. However, for the tool to be the most effective, it's
important to ensure that the blade is regularly sharpened.

 13of 20

Bench Chisel
Robert Lowdon / Getty Images

Best for: General purpose cutting, carving, and joinery.

The bench chisel is the most commonly used chisel by DIYers because it can be used for a
wide assortment of purposes. This general-purpose chisel is a must-have tool for
woodworking, renovation, and construction projects around the home.

Use the chisel to cut mortises, trim doors, pare wood, and for light chopping. You can find
bench chisels with straight or beveled edges. They may also have extra hooping to
strengthen the handle, allowing the tool to withstand greater or more frequent mallet strikes.

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Heavy-Duty Beveled Edge Chisel

The Spruce

Best for: Boatmaking and timber framing.

The heavy-duty beveled edge chisel is another type of chisel that is commonly used in
boatmaking and timber framing projects. Due to the size and shape of the blade, it isn't an
effective option for fine woodworking or even furniture making, but the bulky, heavy-duty
blade is a great choice for any big joinery applications.

Heavy-duty beveled edge chisels are not frequently used by DIYers, though some
experienced individuals that regularly work on boats may be able to benefit from these tools.

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Japanese Bench Chisel

The Spruce

Best for: Cutting softwoods and resisting natural abrasion of tropical exotic woods.

Japanese bench chisels are similar in size to standard bench chisels, though these tools are
typically made with laminated steel and have a slightly thicker blade. These chisels also have
less beveling than standard chisels, with hard edges that are ideal for cutting through
softwoods.

The construction of these chisels is more effective at resisting the natural abrasion of tropical
woods. These tools also come with hooped or hollow ground handles, allowing the user to
choose which option is best based on personal preference and the intended use.

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Mortise Chisel
The Spruce

Best for: Cutting mortises for joinery projects.

As the name indicates, a mortise chisel is made for cutting mortises. This includes cutting
mortises for doors, doorframes, windows, and joinery projects. Manual mortising is
conducted by striking the end of the mortise chisel with a mallet to drive the blade into the
wood. The waste is then levered out and the process is repeated until the mortise is smooth
and even.

Mortise chisels have a long, thick blade that is designed to hold up under repeated heavy
blows and to withstand the levering out process. These heavy chisels that are thicker than
they are wide, featuring oversized bolsters and durable wood handles.

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Paring Chisel
The Spruce

Best for: Carefully shaving off thin amounts of wood when fitting joints.

A paring chisel is a precise tool that is typically put to use at the end of a woodworking
project. These chisels have long, thin, almost flexible blades that are ideal for putting
the finishing touches on fine woodworking pieces.

However, it should be noted that a paring chisel is not made for striking with a mallet or
hammer because the blade is too thin to hold up under the force of a mallet strike. Instead,
one hand on the handle of the chisel should push the blade forward, while the other hand on
the front of the blade guides the cutting action.

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Sash Mortise Chisel

Henry Arden / Getty Images

Best for: Precise mortise creation for wooden window joinery.

When a standard mortise chisel is too bulky for a joinery project, the sash mortise chisel is a
great alternative option. These chisels have a smaller and lighter design that is easier to use
for cutting relatively shallow or narrow mortises, such as those found in window mullions
and sashes.

The thin blade can even be used to chisel deep mortises, though the user will need to
consistently remove the waste from the hole to make progress. Those that like to tackle fine
joinery projects will benefit from having a sash mortise chisel in their tool arsenal.

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Slick Chisel
SGAPhoto / Getty Images

Best for: Carefully paring off thin slivers of wood from a workpiece.

A slick chisel has the same intended use as a paring chisel and a similar design. However,
slick chisels tend to be larger than paring chisels and they have a distinctive baseball-bat
shaped handle that is easy to grip and control.

Use a slick chisel to pare off thin slivers of wood during a woodworking or DIY project.
These chisels have a long, wide, straight-edged blade that can trim down a sticking door or
be used to put the finishing touches on a wood workpiece.

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Cape Chisel
 Rafa Jodar / Getty Images

Best for: Fine detailing on metal surfaces.

Similar to a cold chisel, a cape chisel is made for cutting and carving softer metals.
However, these chisels taper toward the bottom, forming a narrow, pointed tip. This pointed
tip is ideal for cutting keyways, carving horizontal grooves in metal, or for fine detailing on
metal surfaces. Opt for a cape chisel when the metalworking project requires more control
and precision than you can get with a standard cold chisel.

Choosing a Chisel
Chisels are excellent for cutting, carving, chipping, breaking, joinery, framing, and more, so most
DIYers will have at least one general-purpose chisel, like a bench chisel, in their tool box.
However, for those that are looking to get into metalworking, a cold chisel or a cape chisel would
work best. If you will be working with masonry materials, then a concrete chisel, brick chisel, or
masonry chisel would be an effective choice.

There are a wide variety of chisels designed for woodworking, so before selecting one or more for
the workshop, it's important to figure out what type of projects you will be tackling. Mortise and
sash mortise chisels are used to cut mortises, while framing chisels and heavy-duty beveled edge
chisels are ideal for boatmaking and timber framing.