Chisel Construction?

[ritzblitz]

I was just pondering how a chisel is constructed- particularly the handle. On Japanese style woodworking chisels it seems as though the chisel is one piece of steel. How would the handle go on? Are there multiple pieces??

Thanks everyone.
Alex

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

One style of chisel construction is with a through tang. The tang is forged round with a shoulder at the blade. A hollow handle with a ferrule is fitted to the tang, A metal butt plate is put on next (brass or mild steel) and the tang (softened to an annealed state) is peined to lock it together.The hole in the cap is tapered or countersunk to allow for the end to mushroom. When the end is filed to a rounded shape, the joint is nearly invisible.
Stacy

 

[Mungo Park]

A big washer can be slid down the tang and welded to the tang, on the non wood handle side and the weld is sanded/ground untill it is smooth and looks like part of the chisel, Quench and heat treat after so the weding does not destroy thr temper.
Cheers Ron