Japanese tools

[paulc]

Hello, I've a brother living in japan and he has suggested that he might bring me home a japanese woodworking tool, has anyone any suggestions as to what might be a good suggestion , or have an indispensable japanese tool which might not be available over here, I want a functional tool rather than a display piece or talking point. Any information much appreciated. Cheers

 

[Mike.C]

Hi Paul,

What about a set of chisels? I have no idea how much these will cost in Japan, but they have got to be cheaper then over here.

A good middle of the road set are the Umeki-Nomi bevelled chisels, or a bit more expensive are the Orie Nomi Suminagashi range. These will hold their edge up to 4 times longer than the European ones, but they do take slightly longer to sharpen.

If you don't fancy these, then you cannot go wrong with a nice set of Japanese saws? IMHO these are far better than a lot of European ones.

In some countries their products are far cheaper than they are over here. and if this is the case in Japan, then you could pick up some very good deals, on some top of the range goodies, and with these you could go to the top of the gloating league, where it appears Philly has ruled for years.

If you cannot make up your mind, why not buy them both.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Mike

 

[MarcW]

Hello, I've a brother living in japan and he has suggested that he might bring me home a japanese woodworking tool, has anyone any suggestions as to what might be a good suggestion , or have an indispensable japanese tool which might not be available over here, I want a functional tool rather than a display piece or talking point. Any information much appreciated. Cheers

Paul,
Why not go for a yarri kanna, a predecessor of the plane? New tool, new experience new learning curve :wink: A two-handed one seems pretty expensive here, but over there?

Just an idea, I do not have one but it is on my list. [-o<

Marc

 

[Alf]

yarri kanna

I believe some of us* might need a Stanley model number or a link. :-k :lol: Ah, one of these, huh? Looks fearsome :shock:

Cheers, Alf

*i.e. Me

 

[Ian Dalziel]

Paul,
You could also ask the guys from here....
http://www.ibiblio.org/japanwood/phpBB2/index.php?sid=1ca2834d1f3565fcd88897cc6bc8e7af

I like marcs suggestion...different

Ian

 

[Shady]

Hmm: given the quote:

I want a functional tool rather than a display piece or talking point

I wouldn't bother with a Yarri Kana then. DC mentions them in his first book, IIRC, and from everything I've seen they're a sort of step in the evolution from biting wood with your teeth to using a nicely set up plane to finish it - and they're nearer the teeth end of the scale than the plane end: Alf's link has lots of little caveats in it that suggest that it takes a lot of skill both to set one up, and to use it. All to achieve a sort of wobbly equivalent of a scrub plane finish... :roll: Think of trying to use a one handed draw knife (that's not designed with straight angles anywhere) to smooth a piece...

I'd aim at a good set of chisels, or just possibly a good hammer: or, of course, a saw: some of the higher end saws are both works of art, and very functional.