Japanese smoothing plane (kanna)

[tobytools]

Evening gents,
Just want to know who's using Japanese planes or tools in everyday woodwork.
And how you compare these to vintage and modern ones. This isn't a debate about steel.

Once who uses these is known the real fescues ion can begin!
Some pics of your are welcome.

Thanks
TT

 

[Silverbirch]

Once who uses these is known the real fescues ion can begin!

TT

Don`t know much about Japanese planes, but looking forward to the real fescues ion beginning!
:?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I'm just now having a real fescues ion, and nice it is too.

 

[bugbear]

Evening gents,
Just want to know who's using Japanese planes or tools in everyday woodwork.
And how you compare these to vintage and modern ones. This isn't a debate about steel.

Well, yes it is; in Japanese practise the massive, hard, laminated blade is everything;
the body (Dai) is just a holder, keeping it in place.

Compare and contrast a Bailey.

BugBear

 

[Harbo]

I haven't got a fescues ion (discussion ??) but I have this :

An excellent smoothing plane and using them the "wrong" way is very easy to get used to.
I bought it from Dicks (Dictum) a few years ago on special offer.

I also have a cheapo Mujingfang one - they are/were really good value for the money.

I also have a set of Matsumara Blue Steel Chisels ( and several other Japanese makes) that are my go to ones:

Rod

 

[frankederveen]

Have a look at this guy's youtube videos: http://youtu.be/FeXAzU8XrJA. He has a few videos about choosing the right plane, blades, tuning, sharpening, etc.. and I found them very interesting to watch =)

 

[Sheffield Tony]

In a related question, I wonder how much of the Japanese way of using them people adopt.

I don't have any Japanese planes, but Japanese style saws that cut on on the pull stroke are popular with green woodworkers, and I have a few. The action really makes my shoulders ache though, and I can only begin to imagine how painful planing that way would be, even at a bench, let alone sitting cross legged on the floor. The Japanese diet must be very good for the joints

 

[MIGNAL]

Never had any type of RSI when using Japanese saws. Not even the slightest twinge. You must be doing something wrong.

 

[Trafalgar]

In a related question, I wonder how much of the Japanese way of using them people adopt.

I don't have any Japanese planes, but Japanese style saws that cut on on the pull stroke are popular with green woodworkers, and I have a few. The action really makes my shoulders ache though, and I can only begin to imagine how painful planing that way would be, even at a bench, let alone sitting cross legged on the floor. The Japanese diet must be very good for the joints

Yes, to see photos of Toshio Odate in old Fine Woodworking magazines makes me cringe. I wonder if he can still get into some of the same contortions at his age now.

My knees are gone, essentially. I can't imagine having to do woodworking on the floor rather than standing at a bench.

There is a picture of a Japanese timber framer in an old black and white Fine Woodworking. He is crosscutting a fairly large beam, he's standing, but holding the beam with his foot and his knee is almost behind his ear. I think if somebody had thrown the old boy a nice-sized F-clamp he would have cried with joy at such a marvelous invention and bit of 'technology.' Or maybe not.

 

[Harbo]

I've never had any problems using Japanese saws nor Hacksaws - which rightly or wrongly I use cutting on the back stroke?

The Japanese traditionally don't use chairs, their diet used to be much more healthier than a western one and they are very flexible by the positions they adopt?

Rod

 

[Trafalgar]

Well, yes, Rod to everything you wrote.

 

[tobytools]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xu9zuepcqso8l ... .51.06.jpg
This is an old photo that I took when I got it working.

I'll pull the kanna out again and see if I it still works, these planes are fantastic tho I don't really use it I find it awkward and don't like the feel! Personal preference I guess.

Never owned a jap saw or chisel, I really would like to, but how do you know whats good and what's crap?

I can't find the link I used to tune this plane but when I do I'll post it as it was wonderful and takes you through an easy to follow step by step progress. Very helpfull

Luckily for me I didn't have to start banging the iron into shape ect, just sharpen. Wich is really very easy, true Jacob style

I see a lot of woodworkers use jap chisels, are they better? Just look cool? What is it about them??

I'll sort better pics and wright up later...

TT

 

[G S Haydon]

Toby you might like Wilbur Pan's blog http://giantcypress.net/

 

[Mr_P]

Just dipped my toe into the Japanese waters and bought a

Katsuobushi shaving plane

omg what have I done, is it for fish ?

Time will tell.

 

[jimi43]

Just dipped my toe into the Japanese waters and bought a

Katsuobushi shaving plane

omg what have I done, is it for fish ?

Time will tell.

Traditionally it's for Bonito fish...lovely deep sea fish to eat.

And therefore...yes...it's for fish.

Try Sea Woo in Woolwich for Bonito.

Jimi

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Rod, which plane from Dictum is yours? I've been looking to get one for a while, but wondered about the price v quality of these. Since they are almost impossible to see in the flesh, I wonder how you find yours.

Mike

 

[Harbo]

I bought mine several years ago and it doesn't seem to fit exactly the current ones on offer?
The blade is 42mm wide and 6mm thick and with the stamp seems to be a premium version.
The plane is 244mm long.

You have to prepare them when new but I don't think it took much doing and certainly not difficult.
I use it for final smoothing where it performs very well.

Rod

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Many thanks Rod. I had a little experience with Japanese planes when I was in Americe, and understand the setting up, which is part of the fun, to my mind. I think I even made or modified a Dia for one when I was there. It was a good while ago now, and everything was from the Japan woodworker or other USA sellers. I thing the premium one from Dictum might fit the bill, though a bit different to yours.

Mike.