Thread: Chisel identification 秀夫 Hideo

Sorry that I can't help with the Identification, but would you be kind enough to tell me how you entered the kanji? Thanks. -Howard

Hey Howard.

I put a photo up on my Instagram page and a fellow luthier in Japan translated it for me and sent me the kanji. (Copy-paste)

I had already got the name Hideo using a kanji app (KanjiLookup) on my phone (draw what you think you see and a bunch of kanji come up) it was good that he confirmed it though because it was extremely confusing.

Now I’m just trying to find out a bit more about the maker etc.


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Originally Posted by Howard Pollack

but would you be kind enough to tell me how you entered the kanji? Thanks. -Howard

Howard Apple Macs have come with this feature build in allowing to write Japanese/Chinese with Windows you need to download a language package.

This gives you a pallet of characters you can access. I have seen Japanese speakers use the QWERTY keyboard to type out Kanji with predictive Kanji text completion.

I’ve seen photos of this makers mark on the internet but no info - surely someone can tell me something about the maker and these chisels. Opinions? Anything!


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Well for an opinion - they look pretty standard to the usual Japanese bench chisel. Other than the hammered hoops (not necessarily anything special, perhaps an upsell or added by a previous owner?) , everything fits a serviceable, useable, affordable construction. It's difficult to tell from the photos how well the lamination is done, but so long as they take and keep a nice edge, nothing to complain about. Their apparent rarity only eliminates them from the known "master brands/makers", but doesn't mean they are not well made - just not well known.

Steve

Ps., perhaps you can give us review on how well they work - they would help slot them into the tool hierarchy.

Thanks Steve,
This is my second set of Japanese chisels so I’ll have something to compare them to. Once the silly season is done I’ll tune them up and let you know my thoughts.
Any way to tell the rough age?
Cheers


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I can't really tell their age - they are not rusty, but that could mean they were just well kept.

Steve

I also have no idea re: maker, but I have bought a couple of hundred used chisels from japan now and about half of them are at least as good as anything made now, except that the dazzling super finished chisels like later kiyotadas are more refined looking.

I take them apart if they are overhard and temper them, and generally after buffing the tips a little bit to remove the weak apex, the chisels are stronger than the tang/handle joint.

I tested a 15mm chisel cutting heavy waste in maple a couple of months ago to see if I could get the chisel hot enough to melt crayons. This was a chisel that had been overhard and chipped upon sharpening. I used the chisel so briskly that the edge didn't fail, but it will need a new handle.

It did get hot enough to melt crayons just from chiseling.

It's hard to want or need more than that for edge holding (the edge was completely undamaged, even under a microscope).

Without apex removal, this level of edge holding usually starts around 34 degrees tiny microbevel. I have seen no chisel of any type that can hold its apex under malleting at 30 degrees - most of the edge holding quality differences in any good forged and hand laminated chisel (whether it's 50 years old and $10 in japan or from kiyotada - i have three of kiyotada's chisels) are in the efforts of the user to accommodate them.

concerns about overtempering japanese chisels are unfounded. Generally, the chisels just get below the overhard level (But probably still 65 hardness) around 325 degrees F. Accounts of people claiming to have chisels tempered at 100C (212F) are farce.

(i like how the ad says that the bevel runs the full length of the chisels so that they can get into tight spaces, but the lands are really really really fat at the tip of the chisel )

A better chisel would have delicate lands at the edge, more taper and fatter lands progressing back for rigidity of the chisel away from the business end. This is not as cheap to make, though. Fat lands on a fat chisel makes for something easy and cheap to machine.

Originally Posted by Howard Pollack

Sorry that I can't help with the Identification, but would you be kind enough to tell me how you entered the kanji? Thanks. -Howard

I just copied the kanji into google translate and got the same translation.

Hideo is a fairly popular boys name in Japan.

I wonder if its the same Hideo discussed in a different Forum 13 years ago?
Japanese chisel makers ????

Interesting Graeme,
Thanks for finding that! I would assume they must be the same as it says: 登録 (registered) 秀夫 (Hideo) - assuming there are not two Hideo’s with registered blacksmith names???
When I get time to restore and use I will let you know my thoughts on the chisels


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The British Science Museum in London lists a Hideo chisel but unfortunately does not include a photograph:
Search our collection | Science Museum Group Collection

Their description of the item is:
"...Chisel, Japanese, type 'Hideo Bronze Seal Oire Nomi', 48mm, red oak handle, 1999..."

They also list some other rather interesting items including:

"...1¼” steel firmer chisel in octagonal wood handle, by Bishop, United Kingdom, 1758-1769. Used in James Watt's workshop, Glasgow, Scotland, 1758-1769..."

James Watts Chisel.jpg


"...Bronze chisel, date about 1370 B.C. found at Tel El Amarna, Upper Egypt, in winter season of 1921-22..."

Bronze Chisel.jpg


One of James Watts chisels and a bronze chisel 3390 years old - certainly rather august company.

Wow - I’m impressed you can dig up so much under the name Hideo (assuming it is the same maker it would be great). It would have been amazing if they had included a photo to compare the stamp.
Those other chisels are amazing also, I love that these vintage hand tools are still as functional today as they were many years ago. It’s a nice thought when working with old tools.


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Cleaned the chisels up today. The laminations are fantastic and overall they seem like exceptional chisels.
The real test will be over the next few weeks to see how they hold their edge but I am very happy so far!
Is there any way of telling what the steel is? White/blue etc? They have an extremely sharp edge comparing with my other chisels and the same sharpening technique.



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