Sharpening Swan Neck Chisels

[Thomas Pender]

I bought some swan neck chisels from Lee Valley a while ago and they were very sharp - less sharp as I used them and tried to sharpen them. (They work great cleaning out mortises.) I bought and read Leonard Lee's Sharpening book, but the methodology it suggests leaves me confused. Would one of you all have a few suggestions or a good method I could use?

Thanks!

[Mike K Wenzloff]

Hi Thomas,

Due to the shape of what would be called the bevel, they are easiest to sharpen either with the side of a grinding wheel (light pressure) or by using a stone set near the edge of the bench and the chisel's "bevel" oriented so the handle is over the edge.

A swan neck chisel (or, lock mortise chisel) doesn't need a high degree of sharpness. It is a scraping tool designed for cleaning out bottoms of mortises. I usually leave it as is off the grinder.

Take care, Mike