These tools are made from extremely hard steel, and sharpening them may prove difficult. They are not designed to cut, but to split and fracture, and although they need not be sharp, some edge is needed.
Wedges are often required to travel beyond their length into the wood. Therefore ensure they have no shoulders to cause an obstruction. It may be possible to remove a shoulder with a file, but it is much easier and quicker with a bench grinder, although care must be taken not to damage the temper of the tool.
For a plastic or wooden wedge, use a file or surform to remove the shoulder.
The edges on cold chisels and bolsters should be made up with a bench grinder. A file is unlikely to have much effect. Also grind to remove any sharp shoulders which develop on the head of the tool. Badly ‘mushroomed’ tools are dangerous to use, as the hammer can slip off he mushroom head, and chips or steel splinters break off.
It is possible to buy larger cold chisels and bolsters with plastic hand protectors fitted. Their advantage must be weighed against the fact that the protector makes it difficult to grind the head of the tool. Normally these tools should be used with a gloved hand, which offers some protection.
