Bolsters & Cold Chisels
A cold chisel tool is what you grab when brick, block, or metal needs shifting without firing up a grinder.
On refurbs and first fix, a decent masonry chisel or brick bolster saves time and keeps cuts controlled, especially when you're trimming blocks, chasing out mortar, or breaking out stubborn edges. Go for a size that matches the joint or cut line, and don't skimp on a proper striking head if it's getting hit all day.
What Jobs Are Cold Chisel Tools Used For?
- Chasing out mortar joints and cleaning up brickwork edges with a masonry chisel when you need a neat line for repairs or repointing.
- Splitting bricks and trimming blocks with a brick chisel or brick bolster when cuts do not need to be saw-perfect but do need to be accurate.
- Breaking out small sections of concrete and nibbling back proud areas with a concrete bolster when a breaker is overkill and you want control.
- Cutting and shearing fixings, pins, and light steel with metal chisels when you are stripping out and need to get awkward bits out fast.
- Working with a hammer and bolster for controlled demolition where you cannot risk cracking surrounding tiles, plaster, or finished faces.
Choosing the Right Cold Chisel Tool
Match the chisel to what you are cutting and how hard you will be hitting it, because the wrong width or type just wastes effort and ruins the edge.
1. Brick bolster vs masonry chisel
If you are splitting bricks and trimming blocks, pick a brick bolster with a wider blade so the force spreads and the break runs true. If you are chasing joints or doing finer clean-up, a narrower masonry chisel gives you control without blowing the edges out.
2. Blade width for the cut line
If you are working to a tight line, use a chisel that is close to the width of the joint or the section you are removing, otherwise you will keep slipping off and bruising the face. For bigger break-out, go wider so you are not pecking away all day.
3. Metal chisels for fixings and steel
If you are cutting bolts, pins, or light steel, use a proper metal chisel rather than a brick chisel, because masonry edges will mushroom and chip quicker on metal. Keep the edge dressed and do not strike a battered head with a hardened hammer face.
4. Sets vs singles
If you are doing varied refurb and snag work, a bolster chisel set or bolster set is the sensible buy, because you will need different widths across the day. If you are only splitting bricks or only chasing mortar, buy the one size you will actually swing all week.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Brickies and general builders use a brick bolster and chisel for brick to split units, tidy reveals, and sort awkward cuts without dragging saws out.
- Groundworkers and landscapers keep a concrete bolster handy for edging slabs, knocking back high spots, and breaking out small pads cleanly.
- Fitters and maintenance teams rely on metal chisels for strip-out, cutting seized fixings, and getting into corners where power tools will not reach.
- Apprentices doing refurb work learn fast that a bolster set in the bag stops constant trips back to the van when the job changes every room.
Bolster and Chisel Accessories That Save Your Hands
A couple of basics make chiselling safer, cleaner, and quicker when you are striking all day.
1. Lump hammer
Pair your hammer and bolster properly with a lump hammer so you are driving the blade cleanly without constant double hits. It is the difference between controlled breaks and chasing the chisel around the line.
2. Safety goggles
Brick, concrete, and metal all throw sharp chips when you strike, and it only takes one bit to ruin your day. Wear goggles every time, especially when you are using metal chisels on fixings.
3. Work gloves
Gloves stop your hands getting shredded on rough brick edges and help with grip when the handle is dusty or wet. They also take the sting out of repeated impacts when you are doing long break-out runs.
Shop Bolsters and Cold Chisels at ITS
Whether you need a single cold chisel tool, a brick bolster for daily site work, or a full bolster chisel set for refurb jobs, we stock the range in the sizes and types trades actually use. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get back on the tools without waiting around.
Bolsters and Cold Chisel Tool FAQs
Can I use a bolster chisel on concrete?
Yes, a concrete bolster is made for light break-out and trimming, like knocking off high spots, edging, or breaking small sections where a breaker is too aggressive. For thick slabs or lots of reinforced concrete, you will get there eventually, but it is slow and you are better stepping up to an SDS tool.
How much is a bolster chisel?
It depends on width, steel quality, and whether you are buying a single brick bolster or a bolster set. As a rule, wider bolsters and proper bolster chisel set options cost more, but they last longer under daily striking and do not flare and mushroom as quickly.
What is a bolster chisel used for on brickwork?
A bolster chisel is used for splitting bricks, trimming blocks, and breaking out small sections cleanly, especially around openings and repairs. It is the quick option when you need a controlled break rather than a saw cut.
Can I use a masonry chisel as a metal chisel?
You can in a pinch, but it is not the right tool for it and it will blunt and chip faster. If you are regularly cutting fixings or steel, use metal chisels and keep the edge maintained so it bites instead of skidding.
Do I need a set, or just one chisel for brick?
If you are mainly splitting bricks, one brick bolster in the width you use most will do the job. If you are doing mixed refurb work, a bolster set gives you the right width for joints, trimming, and break-out without forcing one tool to do everything badly.
