Lie Nielsen Chisels - Setup

[James Jayko]

I bought a bunch of Lie Nielsen chisels and they're absolutely amazing.

That said...the edges are so sharp that they literally cut my fingers if I choke up on them to get into a cut. Do you guys ever ease the edges on these chisels?

[George Yetka]

I didnt with my veritas. I dont use them too heavily, but when i do I avoid wrapping around the metal tightly. I will hold top and bottom occasionally but never around the sides.

[Robert Engel]

I've heard of this, but haven't experienced it.

But I have heard of people easing the edges.

[Jeffrey Hood]

I had the same problem... just took a small diamond file (maybe 1k grit or so...?) and just took a few strokes on the sharp edges to break the edge... works like a charm and no more slicing fingers...

[Rob Luter]

Mine have very crisp edge geometry, but not cutting edges. I've had them a few years and have never had an issue.

[mike stenson]

I eased mine. The edges are now crisp, but not as sharp as they were. I got mine very shortly after they were introduced. Most of the time I just wish chisels were flat and square enough for this to be an issue.

[Scott Winners]

One of my L-Ns had edges so crisp I could hardly pick it up without bleeding. I left future cutting edge on the lower side alone back an inch or so, but the rest of the corners I eased. I think I used a fine file and then sand paper to clean up.

[Ben Ellenberger]

I typically hit the edges of my chisels with sandpaper to ease them. I don’t do much, but enough to keep them from cutting me.

[todd butler]

I recently purchased 5 LN chisels, all of them had a 10 thousands or so wide flats on the long edges. Definitely not enough to cut my fingers. But 1 of my 5 the back was not even close to flat.

[Al Weber]

Bought mine years ago and had bleeding fingers until I softened the edges with a fine diamond stone. Just enough to remove the knife edge.

[Mike Henderson]

Bought mine years ago and had bleeding fingers until I softened the edges with a fine diamond stone. Just enough to remove the knife edge.

That's basically what I did, also.

Mike

[Frederick Skelly]

I recently purchased 5 LN chisels, all of them had a 10 thousands or so wide flats on the long edges. Definitely not enough to cut my fingers. But 1 of my 5 the back was not even close to flat.

If you bought them new, why not send the one back to LN. For what you pay, it needs to be flat.

[James Jayko]

If you bought them new, why not send the one back to LN. For what you pay, it needs to be flat.

Agreed. Having bought a lot of stuff from them, seems like they take pride in everything leaving the factory perfect.