A chisel is a tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge of blade on its end for carving or cutting a hard material such as wood stone or metal by hand struck with a mallet or mechanical power The handle and blade of some types of chisel are made of metal or of wood with a sharp edge in it Chisels have a wide variety of uses Many types of chisel have been devised each especially suited to its intended use Different types of chisel may be constructed quite differently in terms of blade width or length as well as shape and hardness of blade They may have a wooden or plastic handle attached using a tang or socket or may be made entirely of one piece of metal