This document provides information about masonry chisels. It describes the parts of a chisel including the head, shoulders, and shaft. Chisels are typically made of high carbon tool steel with a tungsten carbide tip. Different types of chisel heads and uses are outlined, including standard, bullnose, fishtail, and lettering chisels. Granite and marble chisels are designed to be more durable due to the hardness of those materials. Chisels can be sharpened manually or mechanically using grinding wheels or diamond sharpening blocks.

1. Masonry Chisels
Introduction for Stonemasons
Stonemasonry Department 2012

2. Parts of a Chisel
Head
Shoulders
Shaft
Tip

3. Materials and Manufacture
Masonry chisels are most
commonly manufactured
using high carbon tool
steels with a tungsten
carbide tip (TCT) fused
into the end.
Alternatively they can be
firesharp which is where
they are made using high
carbon tool steels only
which are hardened and
tempered to a sharp tip.

4. Chisel Heads
Mallet
Headed
Hammer
Headed
Pneumatic
Headed

5. Standard TCT Chisels
Standard masonry chisels have a high carbon steel shaft and
head with a tungsten carbide (TCT) straight tip. They are
available in a range of sizes from 1/8th inch to 2 inch and with
pneumatic, ball and hammer heads. These chisels are used to
produce a variety of surface finishes and should be kept sharp
at all times.

6. Bullnose Chisels
Bullnose chisels are
forged using the same
materials as standard
masonry chisels but are
specifically designed for
cutting internally curved
mouldings such as
cavettos and cyma-
reversas. The curved tip
is available in a range of
sizes from 1/8th inch to 2
inch.

7. Fishtail Chisels
Fishtail chisels are particularly suitable for carving work. They
are waisted or “fishtailed” to provide clearance when carving
intricate curves and grooves. Although forged using the same
materials as standard masonry chisels, these chisels are
generally thinner and flatter at the tip.

8. Lettering Chisels
As the name suggests, these chisels are used for fine lettering
work. They have a high carbon steel shaft with TCT tip and
hammer head designed for use with a dummy mallet.
Lettering chisels are generally shorter in length than standard
chisels and have narrow shoulders.

9. Granite and Marble Chisels
Granite and marble chisels are generally heavier than
standard masonry chisels as the materials they are used to
cut are much harder than sandstone and limestone. Granite
chisels are normally left with a hammer head to
accommodate the extra force required when cutting granite.

10. Sharpening Chisels
Chisels can be sharpened either manually or mechanically.
Bench grinders are the most common machine used to sharpen
chisels mechanically whilst the Kaindl see-through grinding
wheel is a more expensive alternative. Diamond sharpening
blocks are used to sharpen tools manually but require
continuous use throughout the day.

11. Activity
1. Name the two main materials used to produce masonry
chisels.
2. What do the letters TCT represent?
3. What is a bullnose chisel commonly used for?
4. Identify two methods of sharpening chisels.
5. Why are granite and marble chisels designed to be more
durable than standard masonry chisels?
6. Sketch a masonry chisel and name each of its sections.

12. Activity Answers
1. The two main materials are high carbon tool steel and
tungsten carbide
2. TCT stands for Tungsten Carbide Tipped.
3. A bullnose chisel is generally used for cutting rounded
moulds?
4. Chisels can be sharpened manually or mechanically.
5. Granite and marble chisels are more durable as granites and
marbles are generally harder than sandstones and
limestones.

13. Activity
You have placed the following order with a masonry tool
manufacturer. Calculate the total cost of the order including a
£15.00 delivery charge.
Name Quantity Cost per Unit (£) Total Cost (£)
½ inch standard TCT MH chisel 5 £17.03
1 inch standard TCT MH chisel 10 £21.34
¾ inch bullnose TCT MH chisel 7 £21.09
2 inch bullnose TCT HH chisel 12 £34.94
1 ½ inch marble TCT HH chisel 4 £32.02
1/8th inch lettering chisel 8 £13.60

14. Activity Answers
You have placed the following order with a masonry tool
manufacturer. Calculate the total cost of the order including a
£15.00 delivery charge.
Name Quantity Cost per Unit (£) Total Cost (£)
½ inch standard TCT MH chisel 5 £17.03 £85.15
1 inch standard TCT MH chisel 10 £21.34 £213.40
¾ inch bullnose TCT MH chisel 7 £21.09 £147.63
2 inch bullnose TCT HH chisel 12 £34.94 £419.28
1 ½ inch marble TCT HH chisel 4 £32.02 £128.08
1/8th inch lettering chisel 8 £13.60 £108.80
+ £15.00 £1117.34

15. Suppliers
http://www.shop.g-gibson.com/stone-
working-tools-11-c.asp
http://www.harbrosupplies.com/
http://www.stonemachineryuk.co.uk/
pageflip/natmas_consumables/index.h
tml
http://www.e4wardmarketing.c
om/Kelso/index1.html

16. Developed by The Stonemasonry Department
City of Glasgow College
2012