Sharp chisels are critical to quality work. But what do you really need? For general shop use, I suggest you start with a good set of four basic, Western-style, bevel-edge chisels. These versatile shop workhorses can perform a multitude of chores from chopping dovetails and fitting joints to trimming plugs flush.
Unlike the stubby butt chisel, beveledge chisels have longer blades that provide more control for tasks such as delicate paring. And their angled edges, opposed to the square edges of firmer and mortise chisels, allow access into angled corners. Beyond the tool’s specific uses, if you want to do better work, you need to keep your chisels sharp and practice good technique, both of which
