This can be prevented by clamping the work down tight with a handscrew to a perfectly smooth cutting board.

It is often advisable however, to set the piece upright in the vise and pare off thin shavings horizontally, Fig.74.In rounding a corner, both this and perpendicular chiseling are common methods.

In both cases care should be taken to cut from the side toward the end and not into the grain, lest the piece split, Fig.75.In horizontal end paring, Fig.

74, in order to prevent splintering, it is well to trim down the arrises diagonally to the line and then to reduce the rest of the end surface.
In all hand chiseling, it is a wise precaution not to try to cut out much material at each stroke but to work back gradually to the line.
[Illustration: Fig.76.Mallet Chiseling.

The Piece is Clamped Down on the Bench With the Bench Hook.] A typical form of mallet chiseling is the digging of a mortise, Fig.
76.