Reply To: Bevel edge chisel questions

I am starting to realize that the side bevels only go so far and then become flat-sided.

That’s normal.

I have had trouble with bruising wood while dovetailing, and my main question is, are these acceptable for use in dovetailing or do I need to get real full bevel edge chisels?

Where is the bruising? Is it in the very corners of the sockets for the pins? Along the whole vertical wall? If it is in the corners, and if you are picturing that a sharp-edged chisel drives down into that corner, I think you have the wrong picture. The saw kerf gives some relief for the thickness of the chisel edge. If needed, you can clean up the very corner with the tip of the blade, actually the corner of the tip of the blade. Anyway, I suspect you have a picture that the chisel is driven into the corner and, if there is a side bevel, you can’t get all the way in. As you explore more, you’ll see it isn’t really a problem. I’d look towards your sharpening and explore some more by cutting some more dovetails.