Wood Carving Chisel Kirschen 31720 Stich 2 1/2 17°

The Kirschen 31720 series wood carving chisels feature a straight Blumeneisen blade in sweep Stich 2 1/2. The cutting edge is ground to a 17° bevel, providing a balance between sharpness and edge durability. The tool steel is hardened to 61 HRC, ensuring the edge remains keen through extended carving sessions. The overall length is 245 mm, with a handle height of 25 mm.

The handle is crafted from natural white oak and shaped octagonally. This design prevents the chisel from rolling off inclined surfaces and gives the user tactile feedback for blade orientation. White oak also absorbs shock from mallet strikes. The range includes ten blade widths from 2 mm to 20 mm, allowing carvers to switch between fine detail work and broader shaping without changing the tool’s handling characteristics.

Blade Geometry and Steel

The blade and bevel determine the chisel’s performance in wood grain. The straight Stich 2 1/2 profile produces nearly flat cuts, ideal for outlining, paring, and cleaning background areas. The 17° bevel enters softwoods cleanly and remains robust in hardwoods. The polished blade face reduces friction, helping shavings move smoothly rather than clogging against the steel.

• Blade form: straight, Stich 2 1/2 (Blumeneisen)
• Bevel angle: 17°
• Hardness: 61 HRC
• Total length: 245 mm
• Height: 25 mm
• Blade widths available: 2 mm to 20 mm across ten versions

Proper heat treatment makes the 17° bevel practical. Softer blades at this angle would deform quickly, but at 61 HRC the edge resists rolling and requires less frequent sharpening. Honing with a natural Arkansas stone restores the edge without excessive steel removal. Keep the blade back flat during honing to maintain the straight profile across the full width.

Handle Design and Ergonomics

The octagonal white oak handle fits comfortably between thumb and fingers for push cuts and withstands mallet blows on the end grain. The flats on the octagon allow the user to sense blade rotation without looking. The dense wood resists splitting at the striking end, and the smooth finish reduces hand fatigue during prolonged use. The balance between blade and handle supports precise, repeatable cuts.

• Handle material: natural white oak
• Handle section: octagonal, anti-roll
• Use: hand pressure or mallet striking
• Surface: smoothed for extended grip comfort

Store the chisel in a tool roll or rack rather than loose in a drawer. Contact with other steel edges can quickly damage the 17° bevel. A suede leather tool roll with individual pockets is ideal for this series, keeping each width separated. Wipe the blade after use, as bare carbon tool steel can react to moisture from damp wood or hands.

Common Applications

The straight Stich 2 1/2 is used for ornamental carving, lettering, grooving, and shaping flat surfaces. Narrow widths from 2 mm to 6 mm are suited for fine detail and tight corners. Mid-range widths around 8 mm to 12 mm are ideal for general shaping, while wider blades up to 20 mm clear larger areas efficiently. This tool is also suitable for furniture restoration, pattern making, and decorative crafts in both soft and hard woods.

Catalogue Notes for the 31720 Series

Kirschen catalogs this model as a Bildhauerbeitel with a Blumeneisen profile, sweep 2 1/2, and an octagonal hardwood handle. Each catalog entry varies only by blade width and corresponding weight; bevel angle, hardness, length, and handle construction remain consistent across the range. Users typically assemble a working set by selecting several widths rather than relying on a single size.