Veritas Flushing Chisels – Getting Started

Designed based on a set of antique patternmakers’ chisels from our collection, these flushing chisels are for more than flush-trimming inlay or joinery; they allow you to work into corners and up to adjacent surfaces where a plane blade cannot reach.

Before putting your chisels to work, it’s good practice to polish the backs of the blades and hone the cutting edges. Here’s how.

How should I sharpen my chisels?

All Veritas chisels are lapped flat. Before first use, polish the back of the blade, working your way up to the finest grit of your sharpening medium.

All blades are useably sharp, but we recommend a final honing before use. The 25° bevel with a slight micro-bevel (a degree or two) works well in soft to medium-hard woods and end grain. If you are working hard material and experiencing edge failure, consider increasing the micro-bevel by 5°. We suggest using a honing guide because it quickly provides accurate, repeatable results.

Use a silicone-free wax such as Veritas Tool Wax or Boeshield T-9 to protect the steel going forward.

When attaching the handle, don’t overtighten.

When should I resharpen?

Edge tools perform best if you keep them very sharp. These chisels are no exception. If you hone more often, you will spend less time sharpening overall and your edge will always be sharp. A sharp chisel is also safer to use than a dull one because it requires less force to make a cut. A useful rule of thumb is to touch up a tool when it stops performing as you like.

To check a fresh edge for sharpness, slice a shaving off the end grain of a piece of softwood.

How should I store my chisels?

Chisel rolls provide a safe and economical means of storing your chisels together. For just a few chisels, plastic shields or magnetic chisel guards can be used. To keep rust at bay, wipe down the tool with a rust preventative or anti-corrosion oil after use.

Now that your chisel is ready to go, it’s time to learn how to use it safely and effectively.