Blue Spruce Toolworks’ family of Optima Chisels blend form and function into a tool that's a joy to use and a delight to admire. Our mortise chisels are no exception. They share many features with the rest of the Optima family cryogenically treated A-2 steel blades that have been lapped perfectly flat and polished to a mirror-finish. The bevels are expertly ground and carefully hand-sharpened. But while most Optima chisels focus on finesse, the mortise chisels are all about power and strength.
In other mortise chisels, the wooden handle acts as a shock absorber between your mallet and the blade. In Optima Mortise Chisels, the striking cap has a direct connection to the cutting edge through a central steel core. All the energy of your strike is delivered to the cut. The blades are taller than they are wide (except the 1/2", which is square) and we carefully grind the sides of the blades parallel to each other. This profile guides your cut in the right direction straight.
You have your choice of Resin-Infused Curly Maple or Bolivian Rosewood handles. The figured Maple handle goes through a proprietary infusion process that dramatically increases its durability. The result is the toughness of a composite handle with the beauty of natural wood. Skilled craftsmen buff each handle by hand resulting in a lustrous finish that stands up to daily use.
The blades extend 4-1/2" beyond the ferrule and the handles are 4-3/4" long. We grind the primary bevel to 30° and hand-hone a 35° micro bevel. The ferrule and striking cap are turned from stainless steel on state-of-the-art CNC Swiss lathes. And the infused figured Maple handle is nearly bulletproof. The components all come together to create a well-balanced tool that just feels right in your hand and will look as good as it works for generations to come.
You can select individual blade widths or get your Optima Mortise Chisels in a 3-piece and 6-piece sets.
6-PIECE SET
Includes 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", and 1/2" widths.
3-PIECE SET
Includes 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" widths.
Please note, wood is a natural product and wood grain, color, and figure vary greatly. No two chisels will look exactly alike, but we make our greatest effort to match each of your chisel handles when purchased as a set. If you are not satisfied with your chisels, contact our customer service and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.
Uses:
- Creating square holes for mortise and tenon joints in woodworking projects
- Ideal for detailed cabinetry and fine furniture making
- Useful in door hinge installations
- Suitable for crafting traditional wooden frames and panel doors
- Perfect for hand-cutting precise mortises in restoration work and antique repair
