Thread: My Ebay Chisels ?

Looks a lot like the Miyanaga logo.

Pam

I reckon Pam has won the kupie doll. The skipping rope is the Miyanaga giveaway (unless you can read Japanese). They usually have a red oak handle but that looks quite different, not sure what it is.

Thanks for the info

To be honest the bloke that sold then, told me that they were Miyanaga chisels, but when I compare the lable on these to the Miyanaga chisels that japan woodworker sells the lables look very different!

Below is a photo of the Miyanaga lables from japan woodworker.

Hello Again.

I have found some chisels with the same label as mine in the japan woodworker catalog so I now believe that the maker/brand name is YASAKU.

Thanks to you all for your help anf input about this thread, have a great day...Graham...

Hi Graham

Came into this a bit late - sorry.

They are Yasaku chisels (as you already know), and they're made by the Fujikawa company in Hyogo Prefecture. Their website is here (it's all Japanese). Your chisels are possibly in the lower right hand area of here. The yellowish handles seem to be gumi, which I think is oleaster, but I wouldn't put any money on it.

Regards
Des

Des.K

Thanks very much for the link, I found it very intresting and to be honest I have been trying to thier web site for a while.

Thanks again and have a good day...Graham...

Originally Posted by Graham Skinner

Hello Again.

I have found some chisels with the same label as mine in the japan woodworker catalog so I now believe that the maker/brand name is YASAKU.

Chisel labels are few and far between in the JWW catalog, I found only two. One of them is Miyanaga, which is indeed different from your chisels, I was wrong. The other matches your label (cabinetmaker's mortise chisels), but they're not attributed to any particular blacksmith.

Pam

I had to ask a question about these chisels (and this Trade-Mark: YaSaku) before posting a reply (my first post and happy to be here). I too have some of these chisels. The handles are boxwood and the maker (according to my source) was one of the MiyaNaga smiths back in the late nineties when these were produced. As is often the case, the actual smith providing tools to a Trade Mark may never be known, but even if he is, the name may be the same as a Famous name, but it may not be that actual smith (or one directly associated). I'm sure many of you have tried to research your tool's makers and can't get an answer (at least beyond question) except as to the brand, company or trade mark through which they are distributed. My feeling is that if the tool does what you want it to (most important) and doesn't cost a fortune (also important) then the rest is somewhat trivial. But by all means, don't stop trying and share what you learn.

Graham and others, hello.
I did some more research on the Yasaku brand. I have a friend in Japan who did the asking for me. Indeed, the brand belongs to the Fujikawa company as the website mentioned by Des.K. attests. They have been making chisels since the 30's and those in question were made by Kyozo Fujikawa (2nd generation and also the current company president). Some of the chisels have the Fujikawa family crest stamped above the Yasaku logo (pic below). So contrary to previous belief, no connection to any Miyanaga (I passed this info on to my other source).
In any case, notwithstanding their not-so-famous lineage, rest assured they are and made with respect and dedication to traditional ways and fine craftsmanship.
Steve

The mon (Family Crest) is a little difficult to see on the chisel in this pic, so the other is the mon alone (also belongs to the Hineno family). I don't know what it represents- I should have asked.

Hi Sheets.

Thanks for doing the research, it has been very helpfull as I had now idea where to start looking, on the whole I am very pleased with my chisels (for the price I payed) let us know how you get on with yours.

Thanks again....Graham.....

Hi Graham. I'm pleased you like the chisels. All those I have I've used and been very satisfied. The question of their lineage seemed easy enough to sort out (in this case). Thanks to you and others who actually noticed the discrepancy (and to Des.K for pointing out the real source). For us, we didn't get "cheap" chisels, but good chisels for a cheap price, eh? I certainly have no hesitation in using the same source (eBay) again.
Good luck with your projects,

Steve

Hi,

Sorry to be posting so late, but this is a brand called Yasaku from Fujikawa chisel company from Miki. The standard line brand. Similar in quality to the famous (out of Japan) Koyamaichi.

So, do you know what the Fujikawa Mon represents? Its not one of those obvious ones.

Steve

Originally Posted by Sheets

So, do you know what the Fujikawa Mon represents? Its not one of those obvious ones.

Steve

No~~~ sorry, I don't know.