So I have always split torsos by just cutting with an exacto knife. It breaks blades, I have cut myself, and it can damage parts of the figure. I recently took note of a tutorial showing a different way and I love it. It is easy, safe, and works much better. I will show it in pictures.

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nice!

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I'm not gonna lie - I had been using a tiny jeweler's anvil with a soft sanding pad glued to the top to help stabilize the figure (but using a hammer & chisel) -- when HypnoHustler first showed me this 'socket' idea, I was all 'pffft. whatevs...' but man, it is such a slick and easy thing to do now -

Thanks Hypno. And thanks, Dusty, for the quick pic tutorial!

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What about damaging the side of the torso that is resting on the socket?

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It takes such little force to break it that it has no effect. I was surprised by how lightly you have to tap the chisel for this to work.

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Are you wedging the chisel INTO the seam by force before you tap it, or do you just line it up with the seam and tap?

I used the socket and pressure method a bit, but found it didn't work reliably (worked great when it did work though). I'm tired of snapping off blades and tearing up torsos with my hobby knife and needle nose pliers.

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I wedge a little just until it bites

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(But seriously thanks)

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I sure provide a lot of quotable material don't I? I need a proofreader for my posts. I tend to quickly shoot off and end up with a real mess on my hands.

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What type of chisel? Thickness? mm?

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6 mm. It was the thinnest one that Lowes had. I actually would like it to be a touch smaller so I am going to do some online shopping soon to try and find a smaller one, I think 4 mm would be the sweet spot. This one works great on most torsos, but some have a really narrow upper torso. I think it was a techno viper I split yesterday that was really narrow. It worked, but it would have been easier if it was a little thinner.

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I think this is one that JM70 recommended to me the other day over mint julips and rhubarb pie:

Pack of 8 Mini Wood Carving Chisels, Assorted Shapes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NH0PI6Q/re ... pvb1SPN3N1

At least... I THINK that's the one.

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Watching Hypno do one torso at the JC table in Indy this way was "Meh". Watching him do about a dozen...with one or two whacks each...in under a minute, blew my mind. I was an instant convert.

For those who need a video tutorial to walk you through the steps Sputnik did one a while ago for the JC Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2feZR6e_MY

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NOW YOU'RE JUST DOING IT ON PURPOSE

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I will be watching this thread intently, seeing how other people like this. I cracked a figure in a similar manner (though I don't have a vice to hold the socket in place), and while the figure opened for me, I ended up cracking off one of the interior posts holding the figure together. And, I ended up leaving a little dent along the seam. Not much, but slightly visible. I was able to add a few drops of super glue to the seam, away from the arm socket, and no problem. If the chisel works better than a flat head screw driver, I'll be happy.

BUT...what about cracking the lower half of the torso. Everybody cracks the figure, and it seems the lower half is ignored. Do I use an x-acto to pry those two pieces apart?