I found this chisel during a visit to a flea market. What caught my attention was the shape of the handle and the short blade. I initially thought it was a butt chisel—particularly suitable for cutting hinge mortises, working in tight spaces, or when extra control is needed, since the handle fits perfectly in the palm of the hand. However, I noticed that these chisels usually have chamfered (beveled) edges, not square sides like this one.
The chisel is about 15 cm long, and the blade is 25 mm wide. It was probably a firmer chisel that had been adapted for this purpose. This theory is also supported by the position of the brand mark, which would typically be placed further from the edge on an original butt chisel. Still, given the good quality of the blade—marked 'Kirschenwerk' (Two Cherries)—I decided to restore it for reuse after years of dust and rust.
First, I separated the blade from the handle. The old ferrule was clearly damaged, so I took the opportunity to replace it with a new brass one. I made it from a piece of hydraulic brass pipe cut to the appropriate size. To support the new ferrule, I inserted a wooden rod into the handle, which also helped redo the hole for the pyramidal tang. I drilled it using a set of decreasing diameter drill bits.
The drill bit diameters must fall between the minimum and maximum diagonals of the tang’s cross-section. Between the blade and the ferrule, I inserted a hydraulic seal to help absorb the impact of mallet blows.
The blade was fortunately only lightly pitted, mostly on the bevel side. The back was in good condition, so flattening it was quick and easy. After an overnight vinegar bath, I reground a 25° bevel. To preserve a vintage look, I applied a coat of 'antique walnut' varnish, followed by two coats of wax.
I’m satisfied with the result, and I’m sure this chisel still has more to add to its long history.
