A chisel is a cutting tool with a sharpened metal edge that is used to cut, sculpt, scrape, or shape stone, wood, and metal. It has a handle on the opposite side of the cutting edge to allow the operator a firm grip with one hand while striking with the other using a hammer. Chisels are used for cutting and roughing out other materials by striking them. The driving force may be applied by pushing by hand, or by using a mallet or hammer. There are many types of chisels used for specific purposes, such as:

• Firmer chisel: Comprises hard material like steel for use in heavy-duty work. They have a blade with a rectangular cross-section and a 20-degree bevel. Due to their shape, they are ideal for creating incredibly sharp 90-degree corners.

• Mortise chisel: Used for chopping out joints and levering out waste woodwork.

• Bolster chisel: Also known as a brick chisel, it cuts straight lines into bricks, metal, or stones. They have a flat handle and a strong beveled edge blade that will cut through most hard materials at the strike of a hammer or mallet.

• Butt chisel: Used for cleaning out square holes, mortises, and corners.

• Stone chisel: Used in masonry to cut, shape, and scrape stones and bricks. They include standard and toothed stone chisels, masonry chisels, spoon chisels, and brick bolsters.

Chisels are also used in woodworking, carving, shaping, and construction. Woodworking chisels range from small hand tools for tiny details to large chisels used to remove big sections of wood. Stone chisels are used to carve or cut stone, bricks, or concrete slabs. Chisels have two main purposes: breaking up materials and removing shavings from a material.