off to japan

[shineysheff]

hi everyone this is my first solo post but i have been lurking and learning form the forum for six months or so.I would like some help i'm off on holiday (may)to china and japan and wondered if anyone knew of a good tool shop in japan (tokyo kyoto)as i'm thinking chisels and marking/layout equipment may be cheaper and worth buying. i worked in japan briefly about 12 years ago so i expect things will have changed so any advice received will be welcome cheers.

 

[dedee]

It might be an idea to PM Chiba

Andy
edit.. Sorry I should have extended a welcome to the forum.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry, Can't help with your question.

Have you tried a search for japan?

Adam

 

[RogerS]

Hi Shineysheff and welcome to the forum.

If you do get any good names can you let me know please as I'm going there late March. If I discover any out there I'll let you know.

Cheers

Roger

 

[underused]

Hello, if you're looking for high-end gear, (extremely expensive) I cant help you. If you are looking for standard gear, I hear a shop called Tokyu Hands in Kobe is a good place to start.
I dont live in the tokyo area, so cant recommend anything there.
cheers

 

[RogerS]

Are there any recognised 'top-end' Japanese producers such as LN or Veritas?

 

[underused]

lots of good Japanese tools are simply named after the balcksmith that produced them. Some good blacksmiths produce for branded tool companies.

Chisels: made by the blacksmith Hidari Ichihiro. He only uses white steel (shirogami) are top stuff.

Planes: Kei-Mei planes made by the Usui's.
Etsuei is a popular Tokyo brand.
Otoko-Zakari is top end, very expensive.

Genrally, its hard to buy good Japanese tools without having some knowledge of the blacksmiths, being able to read the Kanji on the irons etc... Its all about the blacksmith in Japan.

If you want standard gear, you can pick it up anywhere (diy stores) brands like Kakuri are everywhere in these places. You'll have to do alot of work on the planes to get them working well (in my experience). They are cheap and cheerful.
cheers.

 

[RogerS]

Many thanks, underused. Now I'm not in the dark quite so much..Just need to try and understand Kanji :?