A chisel is a tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge (such that wood chisels lent part of their name to a particular grid) of blade on its end , for carving or cutting a hard material such as wood , stone or metal. The handle and blade of some type of chisel are made of metal or wood with a sharp edge in it.
In use , the chisel is forced into the material to cut it. The driving force may be manually applied or applied using a mallet or hammer. In industrial use , a hydraulic ram or falling weight (trip hammer) drives the chisel into the material to be cut.
A gouge , one type of chisel is used , particularly in wood working , wood-turning and sculpture to carve small pieces from the material. Gouges are most often used in creating concave surfaces. A gouge typically has a ' U '- shaped cross-section.
