On Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:56:18 GMT, "Mike Dembroge"
wrote:

Why is it that whenever I read an article that describes using a chisel for
something, the chisel always has to be "sharp"? "Clean out the mortise with
a sharp chisel." "Square up the corners with a sharp chisel". Why does
everyone, it seems, single out chisels as the only tool that needs to be
sharp.

The most important reason is that a dull chisel will hurt you quicker
than a sharp chisel.

That may seem to be counterintuitive but the reasoning is that a great
deal of force will have to be used on a dullish chisel and that force
may be redirected at you, rather than towards the work.