The 7 Best Stone Chisels
Special Honors
The Stone Trust Carbide Chisel Set Included in this set are three key chisels for refined walling: a mason’s chipper, a hand point, and a swept grip hand tracer. They each measure 8.25 by 3.25 by 1.5 inches and are a sturdy weight of six-and-a-half pounds, combined. They’re from a Vermont-based nonprofit organization that advocates for the preservation of existing dry stone walls. thestonetrust.org
Editor's Notes
August 26, 2019:
Like wood chisels, those designed for stone cutting are made from various materials with blades in a range of sizes. They’re used to carve or cut materials like bricks and concrete slabs. They’re an important tool in the arsenal of many a sculptor, geologist, and rockhounding enthusiast.
The Trow & Holden in our top spot comes from a Vermont company that has been making stoneware tools since 1890, including hammers, carbide hand tools, and precision pneumatic carving tools. It features a rounded shank with comfortably shaped finger grooves. This sturdy, carbide-tipped tool is designed for working on materials like granite, quartzite, and basalt. And, you can buy it with confidence, thanks to its guarantee against material defects.
If you’re in the market for a set of small chisels that are great for extracting minerals like garnets and topaz from pieces of rock, look to the three-piece Stanley 16-298. They’re made of hardened steel and are covered with a protective coating that keeps them from becoming scratched. They hold their edges nicely and come with black rubber caps, and are sure to stand out among your tool collection, thanks to their highly visible yellow color. For a set that’s similar – let slightly larger in size – check out the Maxpower All Purpose, which come with a handy red and black storage pouch that’s equipped with eyelets at the top for easy hanging.
Using sharp chisels for cutting and carving is dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals. Eye protection should also be worn to avoid injury.