How to Edge Off a Herringbone Design Brick Patio

Lay the first section of plastic edging inside the patio trench area. Follow manufacturer's instructions for connecting the sections and securing them to the ground. Many plastic edging kits use long spikes that you hammer through the edging into the ground.

Lay the bricks in the herringbone pattern. When you come to an edge requiring a cut brick, place a whole brick over the area and mark a cut-off line with a pencil where the brick should be cut to fit into the area.

Place the brick on a solid surface such as the ground or on the sand, not another brick. Score the pencil mark with the cold chisel by lightly tapping the chisel at an angle along the line. Do not force the chisel into the brick, or the brick will crumble or cut unevenly. Score the brick until you have created a thin groove around the entire brick.

Place the brick set chisel tilted slightly on your groove mark on the brick with the beveled edge of the set facing away from the good side of the brick that will be used in the patio. Firmly strike the chisel with the hammer to break the brick into two pieces.

Chisel away any unbroken material on the side of the good brick with the cold chisel. Set the brick in place. Repeat this process for every cut brick along the edges.