Thread: Addresses to buy japanese tools in japan?

Originally Posted by NeilS

Hi Stu

I'm also envious of your outing!



Any chance of a photo of those special scissors? I would love to be able to see a picy of them and to share with my wife. We have only recently purchased some handmade Japanese scissors (and some laminated kitchen knives...superb handmade tools) and are interested to learn more. Why should we woodworkers have all the good stuff!

Thanks

Neil

Here you go Neil


Attachment 54119 Attachment 54120

Attachment 54121 Attachment 54122

Attachment 54123

They are very well made, and after a bit, my wife got on fine with them. She had always used right handed scissors in her left hand, so she had to adjust how she used these, frustrating for a minute, but she soon had it down. They slice through denim from some old jeans like nothing. I'm sure she will get a lot of use out of them.

Cheers!

Here is the first video I've been able to upload to YouTube......

Machikan Knife Demo

I've got a couple more, but my POS Windoze machines take forever to do these

Not long, just over a minute.

Hi Stu. Interesting scissors you have there! I guess the fulcrum is an adjustable screw. Looks similar to that of a pair of garden shears I have, but much more elegant. Any chance of seeing it open?
Thanks
Frank

Not until they need sharpening

They told me at the shop to NOT open them as they are set, much like the torque on a car part, sorry.

...........and, they are my lovely wife's not mine

Thanks Stu,
Very impressive demo.
I would love to visit some of those places in Japan. I was there earlier in the year but our itinerary was pretty full. Maybe next time.
I loved Japan and will definatelly be back.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Thanks Stu,
Very impressive demo.
I would love to visit some of those places in Japan. I was there earlier in the year but our itinerary was pretty full. Maybe next time.
I loved Japan and will definatelly be back.

Well if you do, look me up!

Hi Stu,

Fantastic scissors there. Reckon they will last a lifetime or two, be handed down the family tree. Thanks for posting.

Cheers
Pops

Many thanks for those photos Stu. Yes, you have got your wife a very nice pair of scissors there. I think I can see sen marks on the back of the blade in that last photo, I guess that is for the same purpose as the ura (hollow) on the backs of Japanese chisels.

Neil

Well, I am back from the trip to Japan. I wanted to post the few images I have on August 3rd but our flight was delayed a whole day and I had to go back to work just after arriving to Spain.

As I said, I didn't take many pictures, only 5. Mainly of Katana blades, not tools. I am sorry

Thanks for the photos and the suggestions for hunting down tools in Japan.

I' going snow boarding at Niesko next week and have two night in Tokyo on the way back, Given the time constraints I won't be able to get to Machikan, next time. I will definitely be going to Tokyu Hands.

Fuhjec, if you are interested in Katanas, I think I have some photos I took at the Sword Museum in Tokyo.

Hoppoz

I too am very interested in Japanese edged tools and nihonto. I have a 17th cen Waki and some suminagashi knives for the kitchen that Im very happy with. The sushii knife was made for me by a smith in Kyoto somewhere. A freind got 2 made specially. Initially it looked as though the smith wouldnt do them as they are time consuming but the smith is a friend of my freinds fiance's father. If you can follow that. So he knocked them up specially within the week. I feel very privilidged but am daunted bt the prospect of having to sharpen them. I have a backgound as a butcher/boner but these knives are on another level.