Matsumura Blue Steel Chisels

[Harbo]

Here's some photos of my chisels straight out of the box apart from removing the wax tip protection. They still have a lacquer coating.

I have since given them a gentle honing and polishing - the backs were very flat and they come ready sharpened. They cut superbly but only time will tell in the long term. The handles are red oak with a light smooth varnish and seem better crafted than my other Japanese chisels by Miyanaga and Iyoroi (in that order)

The came out second for endurance in a FW test but better suited to exotic hardwoods than the white steel ones.

You can see Mr Matsumura at work here:-
http://www.fine-tools.com/G309550a.htm

And some further info here:-
http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/Woodcarvingtools/japan1.htm

I had them sent from the States $295 for the set.

Rod

 

[Philly]

Nice, Rod!
be interested to hear how you get on with them.
Cheers
Philly

 

[woodbloke]

Rod - nice looking chisel set, if you havn't used them before they are good but the hoopy ends will play havoc with the palm of your hand if you do allot of hand work with them, I'd take them off completely and use a wooden mallet to strike rather than the traditional Jap hammer - Rob

 

[Colin C]

Rod - nice looking chisel set, if you havn't used them before they are good but the hoopy ends will play havoc with the palm of your hand if you do allot of hand work with them, I'd take them off completely and use a wooden mallet to strike rather than the traditional Jap hammer - Rob

Hi Harbo

Nice set and I hope you like as I have never got on with myself.

Hi Rob

I am not sure if you know that on japanese chisels you have to cut the step for the hoops and lower down, so that you can bash the edge of the wood over so the top is domed.

So you can get them how you like

 

[woodbloke]

ColinC wrote:

I am not sure if you know that on japanese chisels you have to cut the step for the hoops and lower down, so that you can bash the edge of the wood over so the top is domed.

Col - I had a couple of sets of Jap chisels from Axminster and you're correct, you have to seat the hoops a fraction lower but I didn't mushroom the tops over them. Even so, I found them a right pita when used for paring...great for use with a tapometer. I eventually cut the tops completely off and doweled on a substitute piece of yew which I then shaped to a dome, they were fine then but I sold 'em on fleabay and got some LN ones....much happier now - Rob

 

[Harbo]

Yes I agree that the metal hoops are not very comfortable - even though they have the same length of handle as the LN's (90mm), the LN's fit the palm like a glove.
I will give them a try though before knocking them about.
Whilst on about handles have a look at:-
http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/ashley_iles_bench.htm
The "London Pattern" handles in rosewood or boxwood do not feature in my Ashley Ilse's catalogue?

Rod :?

 

[Woody Alan]

The handles are "Ray isles" and he sells a set of chisels which are his own using Ashley Isles blades but with these handles. It would seem they are a complicated family in terms of marketing.

Alan