A wedge chisel is a tool used for splitting or shaping hard materials such as stone, metal, or wood. It consists of a wedge-shaped blade with a slightly curved cutting edge and a handle attached to the top end. The wide end of the blade is used to strike it with a hammer or mallet, which drives it into the material being worked on, causing it to split or to remove material along the curved edge. Wedge chisels are commonly used in masonry and woodworking to create clean and precise cuts.