How to Sharpen a Chisel with an Oil Stone

A good chisel is an essential part of any woodworkers arsenal. For reshaping and carving wood, removing pieces of material, cleaning up glue joints, and plenty more in between, the chisel comes out for just about every job.

Ensuring the chisel is nice and sharp before going to work is crucial. In this video, Geoff Herbig from Herbig Design Co. in Canberra shows us how he sharpens a chisel using a traditional sharpening stone and honing oil
 

1. Take your sharpening stone, which will be coarse on one side and fine on the other. Starting with the coarse side, add a little bit of oil to the stone.
    
2. What you will be looking to do is balance the bevelled edge of the chisel. Once you place the bevelled edge onto the stone you will be able to feel it rock backwards and forwards. Place your index finger over the top to keep it in place and balance your chisel as you move it up and down the stone.
    
3. Be sure as you move up and down you also work side to side on the stone to avoid a wear mark developing down the centre of the stone. Once the chisel is balanced, turn the stone over to the fine side to finish it.
    
4. Add some oil and again move forwards and backwards and side to side to get that perfect sharpness and shine.
    
5. Finally, you’ll want to deburr the back of the edge of the chisel. To do this, place it sideways, flat on the stone and run it across to pull the burr off.
    

What you’re left with is a nice, sharp chisel, ready for work.