I know there are several styles of chisels: paring, mortising, crank necked, firmer, butt, etc..., but I'd be lying if I said I could pick one of each style out of a pile of different chisels and successfully name each one to it's type. (I might get a couple correct... )
Could someone who has a nice assortment kindly help my ignorance in this regard, and post here with pictures and short, although distinctive descriptions of what makes a certain chisel belong to one family and not another?
And, if you are feeling inclined, and you are not letting your chores lapse by doing so, a written example or two of each style chisel's preferred application would be in order as well. (Yes, this could probably be a small book.)
And, it's use too. I've read here recently that you don't hit paring chisels. Why not? What other ones should not be hit? And when they can be hit, do you use a wooden mallet or metal hammer? Why are some chisels metal capped and some leather capped?
Any assistance is muchly appreciated.
Thanks, Todd, A.K.A. "Chisel Challenged" (and who probably already owns every type chisel known to man and just doesn't know it).