Japanese Chisels

[Glynne]

Despite having a set of LN bevel edge chisels (which I'm really pleased with), I'm still fascinated by Japanese chisels and would be really interested in views as to how good / bad they are, what tasks they are better suited to and which of the different types are the best for say cabinet work, paring etc.?
I did have a look at the previous reviews and could only see one review from 2004 so with their greater availability today, any thoughts please?

Thank you,

Glynne

 

[Jacob]

Go on just buy them, we know you want to, why ask? :lol:
They won't make the slightest difference to your woodwork of course.
Apparently they have a more pronounced hollow on the face, as compared to the barely visible concavity common with western chisels.
Don't make the mistake of trying to remove this by flattening and polishing, which is what some new owners of western chisels try to do, believe it or not!

 

[Glynne]

That's not the greatest help Jacob - I want to be talked out of buying them not encouraged!
I'm obviously very transparent, no wonder I never get away with sneaking new tools into the house.

 

[Jacob]

What about buying some wood instead? Easier to sneak in - if caught you just mutter something about "shelves" and doors will be opened!

 

[Corneel]

I am very happy with my small set of Koyamaichi chisels, purchased from "tools form Japan". At the moment the Yen has a favourable rate, so now is the time...

Japanese chisels come in all qualities and price categories. The trick is to find good ones at a reasonable price. The good ones are made from very simple carbon steel, with a soft backing and are quite hard without the tendency to chip. The cheaper ones are nothing special when compared to western chisels, the expensive ones are especially very expensive.

I didn't buy a set, I choose some sizes I use often plus one wide chisel for pairing. I didn't get any of the special options to keep the price down, apart from the special grind. They are grinded in a trapezoid shape without lands, so it is easier to reach into corners.

They held an edge for a long time when I was chopping a lot of dovetails in Jatoba. They certainly performed better then my vintage chisels. I have no idea if they are better then the LN chisels.

 

[Dangermouse]

Wonder if you sharpen them with a rounded bevel ?? 8) :lol: :wink:

 

[Racers]

Hi, Glynne

If you want to try them go ahead, its only you that can tell it you like them and they work for you.

Pay no heed to those who don't want you to have nice stuff :wink:

Pete

 

[Jacob]

Wonder if you sharpen them with a rounded bevel ?? 8) :lol: :wink:

The Japs do - I've seen their chisels with rounded bevels and it has been mentioned several times in other threads.
They haven't "caught up" with modern sharpening methods, don't use jigs on the whole and don't have weird hang-ups about bevels
Mind you a latterday sharpener will assume that a Jap chisel has been rounded by some ignoramus and will stupidly set about "correcting" it in the modern way!

 

[custard]

Glynne, if you enjoy a more ceremonial approach to tool preparation then Japanese chisels offer the potential for huge satisfaction. Mounting the hoops, maintaining the back, constant oiling to keep rust away, learning all the specialised language...you'll be halfway to becoming a Shinto priest by the end of it.

If you're chiefly about cutting craftsmanlike joints in hardwoods then stick with your LN chisels.

 

[Glynne]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Custard - yes I'm more about cutting joints than prating about with tool preparation, but I don't have a paring chisel and LNs are quite short so I'm still tempted to try a paring chisel.

Corneel - any thoughts on the size for a paring chisel?

Pete - you may well have talked me into trying one.

Jacob - I have my own wood store, use half of the family garden shed for wood, some wood in "stick", some secreted in the bike shed not to mention some in the loft, and some "acclimatising" on the study floor as well as the spare bedroom! Even if I managed to sneak it in (ha!), I wouldn't get away with such an excuse. It would have to be for yet another family heirloom and I still have a list as long as your arm to start let alone finish.

Cheers all,

Glynne

 

[David C]

Japanese long paring chisels are some of my favorites.

Unfortunately no one sells them any more in uk??

So you would have to go to people like, Dieter Schmidt, Tools from Japan, Tools for Working Wood, Japan Woodworker etc.

I would be very pleased to hear of other good sources.

Best wishes,
David Charlesworth

 

[custard]

Japanese long paring chisels are some of my favorites.

Unfortunately no one sells them any more in uk??

So you would have to go to people like, Dieter Schmidt, Tools from Japan, Tools for Working Wood, Japan Woodworker etc.

I would be very pleased to hear of other good sources.

Best wishes,
David Charlesworth

Here are some long paring chisels...not cheap but if they're anything like the Blue Spruce dovetail chisels I use then worth it,

http://www.bluesprucetoolworks.com/cgi/ ... egory=PRCH

 

[Benchwayze]

Buy some Western Red Cedar instead. You'll immediately notice the need for 'exceedingly sharp tools'. Then buy the the chisels. They will make a difference to your woodwork because you'll enjoy using them so much. :mrgreen:

 

[Corneel]

My Japanese "pairing" chisel is just my widest bench chisel so nothing special, just a wide chisel. I mentioned it because all the sets have a lot of very wide chisels, and I didn't need that. I have 6, 9, 12, 18 and something wide (30?). Lately I have bought a very long vintage Sorby paring chisel which is very nice too. But I can't hit the Sorby with a hammer, which is no problem with the Japanese. I also use it to split wood in things like half lap joints. Split first, then pair with the same chisel.

 

[David C]

Blue Spruce A2 steel, Japanese carbon steel and very hard. This is why they are different from UK long paring chisels.

The cost of the Japanese chisels is not in the handles, but in the forging.

David

 

[mqbernardo]

Glynne, have you bought it yet? if not, don´t do it... it will be the first of many!

 

[Hardwood66]

I have a set and can't get one with them at all to heavy to long plus they take forever to sharpen

 

[Harbo]

My favourite chisels are Matsumura Blue Steel - take an incredible edge and have no problems sharpening them.

Rod

 

[mqbernardo]

I have a set and can't get one with them at all to heavy to long plus they take forever to sharpen

really? what stones do you use? i sharpen mine quite effortlessly, much to do with the "hollow" back i suppose.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Jacob'll be here in a minute!