Curved V-chisel Kirschen 31460 cut 45, 100° angle

The curved V-chisel from series 3146 creates a V-shaped groove with an included angle of approximately 100°. Its bent blade allows the cutting edge to follow a curved path across the workpiece, making it ideal for decorative channels, raised outlines, and detailed relief work. Each blade in the Kirschen carving range is ground and sharpened by hand, ensuring the tool arrives ready for immediate use.

Kirschen catalogs the curved version under article numbers 3146002 to 3146020, with blade widths of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 mm. Tool dimensions range from 230 x 20 x 20 mm to 255 x 25 x 25 mm, and weights span from 58 g to 188 g. The octagonal hornbeam handle provides a secure grip reference and prevents the chisel from rolling off sloped surfaces.

Curved V-chisel cut 45: blade, handle and size range

Blade geometry and cutting angle

The V-section removes chips from both flanks simultaneously, keeping groove walls crisp. An opening of about 100° produces a wide, shallow cut rather than a narrow slot. The blade’s curvature along its length allows the edge to enter and exit the wood in a sweeping motion. This makes it easier to control grooves of varying depth compared to a straight V-chisel.

• Cut 45 profile, curved V-chisel
• Included V angle of approximately 100°
• Series 3146 of the Kirschen carving range
• Blade ground and sharpened by hand
• Eleven blade widths available from 2 mm to 20 mm

The bend also lifts the handle clear of the surface during long cuts, allowing the carver to keep both hands low without knuckles touching the panel. For deep channels, several light passes are preferable to a single heavy cut. Sharpening should follow the factory bevel on both flanks and at the keel where the flanks meet.

Octagonal hornbeam handle

Hornbeam is a dense, fine-grained wood used throughout the Kirschen carving tool range. The eight flats provide tactile feedback for blade orientation, so the V remains aligned without visual checks. These flats also prevent the chisel from rolling when placed on the bench. Handle length and section increase with blade width, maintaining a consistent balance point.

• Octagonal hornbeam handle, anti-roll
• Handle section 20 x 20 mm for smaller widths
• Handle section 25 x 25 mm for wider blades
• Metal ferrule at the blade entry

The flat-sided handle is suitable for both hand pressure and light mallet work. The grip can be rotated in fixed increments when following a curve. The uncoated striking end can be dressed back if it becomes frayed. Keep the handle dry and free of oil to ensure a secure hold.

Common applications

Typical uses include decorative grooves, borders, and veining on furniture parts and panels. In relief carving, the V-cut defines the outline before waste is removed with gouges. Sign makers use this profile for incised lettering with a sharp apex. The curved blade also reaches into shallow hollows and along convex surfaces where a straight chisel cannot. Narrower widths are suited for hair, feather, and drapery details, while wider widths are used for the main lines of a composition.

Catalog data from the Kirschen carving range

The catalog lists two V-chisel series with approximately 100° angles: series 3145 (straight) and 3146 (curved). Article numbers 3146002 to 3146020 cover blade widths from 2 to 20 mm. The catalog notes that all carving tools are ground and sharpened by hand.

Select blade width based on the scale of your work rather than wood species. Two or three widths typically cover most carving needs, with a narrow blade for detail. Store chisels in a roll or rack to prevent edges from contacting each other.