Narex Richter Mortice Chisels Set of 5

Narex Richter mortice chisels are made using the same steel and cryogenic heat treatment as the Richter bench chisels. The cryogenically hardened steel is crisper on the stone than the more traditional CrMn used elsewhere in the range, and is highly resistant to chipping, rolling and abrasion. It takes a little more effort to sharpen but holds an edge for a very long time.

The blades are ground with a small taper in their section, trapezoidal rather than rectangular, and in their length. These tapers are important because they stop the chisel behaving like a nail when used for deep cuts. Parallel or 'sash' mortice chisels are used for cutting shallow mortices within a ploughed groove, as you would when making a sash window.

The elegant narrow waisted handles are turned from ash, a traditional handle material for tough hardworking tools. They are fitted with a thick steel hoop, pinned to prevent it falling off if the wood contracts, although in time the top will mushroom over to create a comfortable striking platform.

Despite their graceful lines, these light mortice chisels are built to do things your fine bench chisels shouldn't, pounding into a surface at right angles and levering out chips. The technique is to start with tiny chips and then find a comfortable size and rhythm as the mortice progresses. Leaving the edges sharp for an inch or so back from the tip helps to ensure a clean mortice.

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