Best Lee Valley Veritas PM-V11 Butt Chisels

Butt chisels are made in wider sizes than most chisels, making them efficient for wasting out large areas, such as the mortises for installing butt hinges. They also have shorter blades that some woodworkers find offer improved control.

Made from PM-V11 tool steel, the blades taper from shoulder to tip for strength and rigidity, and have parallel sides and true bevel edges for clearance and minimal friction when working into an angled corner or a tight recess. Each blade is lapped flat.

The blade and handle are connected with a tang and a socket-like stainless-steel ferrule that seats directly onto the shoulder of the blade, with flats on the tang to prevent the handle from rotating.

The hard maple handle has been torrefied, a heating process that changes the structure of the wood at the cellular level, stabilizing it against swelling and shrinkage caused by humidity changes. Contoured to fit the hand nicely, the handle has a domed end that resists chipping from glancing mallet blows.

Overall lengths range from 7 1/2″ to 8″; blade length (including bolster) is about 3″. The 1/4″ and 3/8″ chisels have a 30° primary bevel; the others are 25°. All have 2° micro-bevels, and require only final honing before use. The set of three includes 1/2″, 1″ and 1 1/2″ chisels; the set of seven includes all sizes.

Made in Canada.