or Chisel, an instrument much used in sculpture, masonry, joinery, carpentry, &c.

There are chisels of different kinds; though their chief difference lies in their different size and strength, as being all made of steel well sharpened and tempered: but they have different names, according to the different uses to which they are applied. The chisels used in carpentry and joinery are:

1. The former; which is used first of all before the parting chisel, and just after the work is scribed. 2. The paring chisel; which has a fine smooth edge, and is used to pare off or smooth the irregularities which the former makes. 3. This is not struck with a mallet as the former is, but is pressed with the shoulder of the workman. 4. Skew-chisel; this is used for cleaning acute angles with the point or corner of its narrow edge. 5. The mortise-chisel; which is narrow, but very thick and strong, to endure hard blows, and it is cut to a very broad basil. Its use is to cut deep square holes in the wood for mortises. 6. The gouge, which is a chisel with a round edge; one side whereof serves to prepare the way for an auger, and the other to cut such wood as is to be rounded, hollowed, &c. 7. Socket-chisels, which are chiefly used by carpenters, &c. have their shank made with a hollow socket at top; to receive a strong wooden spring, fitted into it with a shoulder. These chisels are distinguished, according to the breadth of the blade, into half-inch chisels, three quarters of an inch chisels, &c.