Life of Japanese Chisels

[seanybaby]

I have been looking at Jap. chisels for a while and they don't seem to have a flat back. As you can see in the photo from axminster they have a dished back. So after a few years of use when you have sharpened many times and the chisel gets shorter. What happens when it hits the unflat part of the back? Will it cut straight? Are they useless at this point? Am i missing something?

This has been puzzling me for a while.
Cheers

 

[Philly]

Sean
The flat at the front edge does get smaller with use. So you flatten the back of the chisel while applying pressure at the front edge to re-establish the flat.
As the backs are hollowed it is quicker than you may think.
Hope this helps
Philly

 

[dchenard]

Philly is right, contrary to western chisels where one hones the bevel and only removes the burr on the back, Japanese chisels have to be worked on both sided to keep the hollow from reaching the edge. Looks like lots of work, but in reality the hollow makes that a quick job.

In use, if you see the hollow creeping towards the edge then you put more work on the back. It's just a matter of balance.

DC

 

[woodbloke]

Sean
The flat at the front edge does get smaller with use. So you flatten the back of the chisel while applying pressure at the front edge to re-establish the flat.
As the backs are hollowed it is quicker than you may think.
Hope this helps
Philly

This works provided that your waterstones (if you use them) are dead flat. If they're not and are dished, even slightly, then the corners of the chisels get worn away first (when flattening the backs) I ruined :x a whole set like this so beware - Rob

 

[seanybaby]

So effectively as the chisels get shorter they get thinner as well.

Cheers for the info guys

I like my Jap. saws, but i don't think i will bother with these chisels.

 

[Benchwayze]

Not to worry Sean,

The explanations are correct of course, but first time I saw pics of a Japanese chisel-back, it took me a while to figure it out too.


I'm up for admitting it though!

John
:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Philly wrote:

So you flatten the back of the chisel while applying pressure at the front edge to re-establish the flat.

WHAT!? I've just been getting new ones when they reached the end!

:lol:

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[dchenard]

I like my Jap. saws, but i don't think i will bother with these chisels.

You owe yourself to try one... They take a fantastic edge, and hold it longer than anything else I know. Even "reasonably" priced ones like Matsumura will impress you.

I love my Imai sword steel chisels...

DC