To sharpen a masonry chisel by hand, you typically use a sharpening stone and work the bevel or facets of the chisel against the stone at the correct angle, moving back and forth. This technique effectively hones the cutting edge or reshapes the point.
Sharpening a masonry chisel by hand, whether it's a brick chisel, cold chisel, or a point chisel used for carving, requires patience and the right angle. The fundamental process involves removing material from the tool's edge or point using an abrasive stone to create a sharp working surface.
Based on the techniques used, such as those for sharpening stone carving tools like point chisels, the process on a stone involves key steps:
Steps for Hand Sharpening on a Stone
- Prepare Your Stone: Ensure your sharpening stone is flat and lubricated if required (with water or oil, depending on the stone type).
- Position the Chisel: Place the part of the chisel you are sharpening (the beveled edge or one of the facets forming the point) flat on the stone. This is crucial for maintaining a consistent angle.
- Find the Angle: You need to feel the right angle where the bevel or facet sits flush against the stone. This angle is critical – too steep, and the edge will be weak; too shallow, and it won't cut effectively. The correct angle varies depending on the type of masonry chisel (e.g., a cold chisel typically has a steeper bevel than a woodworking chisel).
- Sharpen with Motion: Once the angle is set, simply go back and forth along the stone, applying even pressure. Maintain that consistent angle throughout the motion.
- Count Strokes & Switch Sides: It's helpful to be systematic. Some people tend to count the number of times they go back and forth for each side or facet being sharpened. After completing the desired number of strokes on one side, switch sides and repeat the process on the opposing bevel or the next facet until you have worked evenly around the point or edge.
- Check for a Burr: As you sharpen, you will likely feel a slight burr (a thin, turned-over edge of metal) forming on the opposite side of the bevel/facet you are working on. This indicates you are reaching the edge.
- Remove the Burr: Once the burr is present along the entire edge or point, lightly run the flat back of the chisel against the stone to remove it.
This method, applying the chisel's side or facet flat to the stone and working at the correct angle with a back-and-forth motion, is fundamental to hand sharpening. While a point chisel, as detailed in certain methods, involves sharpening multiple facets to form a point, the core principle of using the stone, finding the angle, and moving consistently remains the same for all masonry chisels with bevels or points.
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your masonry chisels sharp and effective for cutting stone or brick.
