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  1. #1
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    Default Guidance and advice sort

    Hello all
    I am seeking some guidance and advice preferably hands on.
    I live in Brisbane and would like to see,feel and use some Japanese tools before I start throwing money at some tools.
    So if you know someone or you are someone who would not mind helping me out, please feel free to send me a pm.
    Cheers Michael

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  3. #2
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    Hi Michael - as Jtool users we are few and far between so local hands on help maybe difficult to find, however if you ask questions via the forum many will surely help.

    What tools are you looking at? Nomi, Kanna, Kibiki, Nokogiri?
    Are you looking budget, medium or high cost brand tools?

  4. #3
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    Here is my list of various Jtools brands listed in a partially subjective descending order of quality / price / collectability. Be aware that brands go in and out of fashion. Also what difference there may be between one brand and another can be subjective or trivial for tools at roughly at the same level requiring a certain sensitivity to differentiate, however difference between the top and the bottom can be as night and day. Most people have very limited experience with different brands and they will often make recommendations based on their limited exposure. Do not discount New/Old Stock their are some amazing tools by unknown makers or with wholesale branding that are excellent.

    Nomi

    Kiyohisa (Probably the best of the current blacksmith - 3 year wait) $$$$ 2 on order
    Tasai (One of the Cult brands lovely fit and finish - 1 year wait) $$$$ - I own 1 With 1 on order
    Kunikei (I love his artestry - 6 month wait) $$$$ I own 1 With 1 on order
    Kikuhiromaru (Great Value For Money - 1 month wait) $$$ I own 4
    Masashige (Affordable but tuff - I am rather fond of his work I plan to buy more- 1 month wait) $$ I own 1 With 2 on order
    Iyoroi $$
    Takahashi $$
    Ouchi (One of the first brands sold in the West back in the 1970's) $ I own 2
    Koyamaichi $
    Fujikawa $

    Kanna (All Very Good Not Really very much between them)

    Kunio Yokoyama (Now retired I believe) $$$$
    Funahiro (Many would say he is the best) $$$$
    Tsunesaburo (Huge range of steels and plane types) $$$
    KeiSaburo (A new generation forging forward) $$$ (I am considering placing an order)

    Waterstones (Very Personal Preference)

    Sigma (Hard and wide range of grits)
    Naniwa
    Bester
    King (Soft matrix old style)

    Genno

    Masayuki Baba $$$$
    Tenryuu $$$
    Aida Hiroki $$$

    Online Tool Stores

    Mandaraya (My go to shop) - Japanese Language
    Kanamonoya - Japanese Language
    Noborihamono - Japanese Language
    Proshophokuto - Japanese Language
    Tools from Japan
    Japan Tool

    Youtube Resources

    https://www.youtube.com/user/Sumokun/videos
    https://www.youtube.com/user/tracestudy/videos
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWpLYnUZDIU
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzVOK7suaJw
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx39f4Y7l8c
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKuqd-l2LHE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C14yYCRq5XU
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xSb-QK95BQ
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2VQHYX1N4k

  5. #4
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    Thank you for so much information I see there is a lot for me to take in.

  6. #5
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    Be careful, ask questions.

    If you get a kanna get a small kanna first like a 48mm wide blade. Avoid the large kanna initially as they are more difficult to setup and use. If you use western temperate hardwoods get a Omote-najimi angle 42º thats your bedding angle.

    A good intro into all the steel types can be read here:

    Steel used in Tsunesaburo planes. : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.

    As for chisels its a mater of taste, what you plan to build, temples, houses or fine furniture. Most chisels are made from White Steel No. 1 however sometimes you get Blue Steel chisels and their is a trend to use HSS as well.

    Their are many types of nomi:

    Mentori oire-nomi - The most common style "‘Mentori’ literally translates as ‘chamfered’ and in this case creates the often seen ‘bevel edge’ chisel familiar to most woodworkers. Of similar ‘bulk’ to the Kaku-uchi oire-nomi but the with upper edges of the blade made bevelled."

    jstem5e.jpg

    Kaku-uchi oire-nomi. - An older style pre 1950's akin to a western firmer chisel - many like myself prefer their aesthetics "Kaku-uchi oire-nomi chisels are of a traditional style with a square/box type (Isosoles Trapezoid(US)/Trapezium(UK)) cross section. The sides of these chisels are slightly angled and there is no flat land on the sides of the blade or bevelled edges as present in the typically seen ‘oire-nomi’.

    oirekaku.JPG

    Hira-machi oire-nomi - "The flat neck of these chisels is designed to allow a flush paring cut to be performed without damage to surrounding areas as the rounded, bulging neck of a more common oire-nomi may cause. Thinner in profile than is usual, these chisels are more of a furniture makers chisel than a carpenter’s chisel, but have the basic strength to cope with regular chiselling tasks."

    Azuma.jpeg

    Tataki Nomi - More a carpenter chisel - heavier d longer.

    Usu Nomi - Fine pairing chisel

    KHM17Dec5.JPG

    Their are dozens more specialised chisel, mortising chisels, chisels for cleaning out the corners of mortises, to scrape mortise bottoms, fishtail (bachi) and skew.

    Also their is timber handle material. Here is a good articles:

    Japan Tool

    White Oak is sturdy and unpretentious but gets dirty easy, Gumi is however my favourite for a sticking chisel. Red Oak is nice but not durable.

    Another thing is appearance versus function - it is tempting to buy Damascus style laminated tools with all the pretty patterns and folds, however this is gaudy and detracts from the essence of the tool. A beautiful tool is Wabi Sabi imperfect in its perfection. The Japanese value the aesthetics of ambiguity.

  7. #6
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    Two books that you must read are:

    Shoji and Kumiko Design: Book 1 The Basics Paperback – January 30, 2012 by Desmond King (Desmond is a QLD who lived in Japan and would be the most knowledgeable Japanese woodworker in Australia/West)

    iu.jpeg

    Japanese Woodworking Tools: Their Tradition, Spirit and Use by Toshio Odate

    51UAk1fKLCL._SX365_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

  8. #7
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    Thank you again thumbsucker
    you have given me so much to take in
    I appreciate and am grateful for your time and effort
    domo arigato gozaimasu

  9. #8
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    Just noticed that the JTools website links are broken.

    Mandaraya (My go to shop) - Japanese Language http://www2.odn.ne.jp/mandaraya/
    Kanamonoya - Japanese Language http://www.e-kanamonoya.jp
    Noborihamono - Japanese Language http://noborihamono.com
    Proshophokuto - Japanese Language http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~ttoishi/sub4.htm

    Use Google Chrome for auto translate or get a translation plugin - however it can still often be a mystery. Japanese is just so different to English grammatically and conceptually.

    I enjoy sharing knowledge about JTools however I fear that a lifetime would not be enough to comprehend their mysteries.

  10. #9
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    This is a great guide to buying used Japanese tools

    https://joinerynotebook.blogspot.com...ing-guide.html

  11. #10
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    Here is my Japanese Woodworking bookmarks I have collected totalling 156 links, it would take your months to go through it. Enjoy

    eBay Japanese Tools

    Japanese Planes
    Japanese Chisels
    Japanese Axes
    Japanese Saws
    Japanese Hammers
    Kanamonoya71

    Tool Merchants Western
    Tools From Japan
    Japan Tool - Home
    Wood working tool, Japanese wood working tool shop
    Hida Tool Hardware Company
    Shop Woodworking Tools at Japan Woodworker
    Suzuki-ya, Superior Japanese Hand Tools


    Tool Merchants Japanese
    Kanamonoya - YES
    Noborihamono - YES
    Pro Shop Hokuto - YES
    Mandaraya - YES

    Tool Blacksmiths / Manufacturing
    BANSHU-MIKI-UCHI-HAMONO
    List of Japanese Blacksmith
    Products
    Ioroi
    Skills of Sanjo Blacksmithing - SANJO CITY
    The Japanese tradirtional Blacksmith NAKAYA-HEIJI
    Fujikawa Tools Miki City
    Tsunesaburo planes
    Specialty mail order Aldea of carpenter tools, hardware
    金物のまち三木
    Metal : Banshu Miki Forged Blades


    Ouchi
    大内俊明/大内鑿製作所<- YouTube
    Ouchi chisel Works | woodworking classroom expedition
    4 minutes and 1-sun Konari fourth generation Diary custom chisel Manufacturing Co., Ouchi (Tsunouchi)
    Miki Chamber of Commerce and Industry [Bussan exhibit space: Mfg. Co., Ouchi chisel]
    Manufacturing Co., Ouchi chisel
    Manufacturing Co., Ouchi chisel
    Power Tools Center Fuji shop carpenter&amp;#39;s tool
    Craftsman introduction ... Ouchi Toshiaki Motoyuki blacksmith-Miki
    株式会社 大内鑿製作所
    ▶Mahogany Masterpieces video - YouTube

    Blogs Forums
    鋸 Nokogiri-Kanna-Nomi
    Joinery Notebook
    Japanese Woodworking Forums • Index page
    Joinery Notebook: Used Tool Buying Guide (eBay)
    My Dougu
    New Shizutanil

    Dogyu
    PF Cabinetmaker - Dogyu 70mm kanna | Facebook
    PF Cabinetmaker - Dogyu 70mm kanna | Facebook
    Dogyu 70mm kanna | Facebook
    DOCUMENTS
    Japanese Woodworking Forums • View topic - Kuro Matsu
    Japanese Woodworking Forums :: View topic - Japanese Interpreter Please
    Shapton USA, Pepperell MA
    All In The Family?

    Kanna Tuning
    How to tune up a kanna part 1 - YouTube
    How to tune up a kanna part 2 - YouTube
    How to tune up a kanna part 3 - YouTube
    Japan Tool - Technique Knowledge - Uniqueness of Japanese Planes

    Nomi Tuning
    Japanese Chisel Tuneup - Part 1 - Fine Woodworking
    Japanese Chisel Tuneup - Part 2 - Fine Woodworking
    Japanese Chisel Tuneup - Part 3 - Fine Woodworking
    How to Set the Hoops on Japanese Chisels
    Japan Tool - Chisels - Handle Making
    the Carpentry Way: Two on Test (Part 2)
    the Carpentry Way: Japanese chisels
    Here’s ho(o)ping « Tools from Japan blog.

    Joinery
    継ぎ手<- YouTube
    04 square dovetail joints - YouTube
    square EriwaariTsugi joint
    ChiTsugi joint
    square ferrule joint fittings
    square deformation joint
    Sabiduria y antiguedad , Los japoneses - 1 de 4 - YouTube


    Natural Stones
    Some history and thoughts on the mine structure of Kyoto | thejapanblade.com Blog
    Precise Sharpening
    Waterstone, Bench, Natural, 400 to 800 Grit, 220mm x 65mm x 65m - The Wood Works Book &amp; Tool Co.
    Waterstone, Bench, Natural, 800 to 1200 Grit, 220mm x 65mm x 62 - The Wood Works Book &amp; Tool Co.
    Japanese Whetstone Glossary | TomoNagura.Com
    nakayama ohira awasedo natural japanese stones thejapanblade
    nakayama ohira awasedo natural japanese stones thejapanblade
    Japanese Natural Stones Toishi

    Craftsman
    Richard Wiborg
    Douglas Brooks Boatbuilder - Welcome!
    Custom Japanese Shoji Screens | Bluefield Joiners Japanese Architectural Woodworking | Shoji Screens
    Ryohes woodworking
    Traditional Maritime Skills
    DM King | Shoji and Kumiko Design | Queensland Australia ::
    Furniture Maker Kintaro Yazawa:Japanese Woodwork, Joinery, Japanese traditional woodworking

    Craftsman Video
    Mahogany Masterpieces video - YouTube

    Japanese Tools Smiths
    Ouchi
    Symbol struggle 4th Mfg. Co. chisel by Ouchi
    Tsunesaburo Planes

    Japanese Tools Stores
    Knife Making Steel
    Shinwa Measuring Tools Corp.
    Steel | DICTUM GmbH - More Than Tools
    Japan Tool - Home
    Japan-Tool Online Shopping Cart
    Wood working tool, Japanese wood working tool shop
    Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.
    index
    Welcome to Hida Tool's Web Site
    Japanwoodworker - Home - The Japan Woodworker Catalog
    Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum -
    Two pines
    Japanese Chisels
    HMS Enterprises, Inc : JapaneseTools.com

    Japanese Tools Setup Use
    Sumokun - YouTube
    Japanese Tool Glossary A-M
    Daiku Dojo -- Japanese Style Woodworking Group
    Ura-dashi — Tapping out
    How to Use a Japanese Plane 1: How to Set the Blade
    Tuning a Japanese hand-plane
    How to Sharpen a Plane Blade Part1: How to Make a Beautiful Ura (Uraoshi Technique)
    How to Sharpen a Plane Blade Part2: How to sharpen the front side.
    How to Sharpen a Plane Blade Part 3: How to sharpen the front side freehanded.
    Some new Japanese Chisels by Yamahiro
    giant Cypress: Japanese woodworking tool punk • Japanese plane set up - I: fitting the blade
    giant Cypress: Japanese woodworking tool punk • Japanese plane set up - II: Sole conditioning
    giant Cypress: Japanese woodworking tool punk • Japanese plane set up - III: Final tweaks
    Japanese Hand Saws - The Wood Works Book &amp; Tool Co.
    Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum - Commentary1: The different types of nomi
    How to set up a brand new chisel
    An exploration of the backing materials used in Japanese blades. : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.
    Steel used in Tsunesaburo planes. : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.


    Japanese Woodworking Books
    Making Shoji: Toshio Odate: 9780941936477: Amazon.com: Books
    Shoji: How to Design, Build, and Install Japanese Screens: Jay van Arsdale: 9780870118647: Amazon.com: Books
    Amazon.com: The Soul of a Tree: A Master Woodworkers Reflections (9780870119033): George Nakashima: Books
    Art Of Japanese Joinery: Kiyosi Seike: 9780834815162: Amazon.com: Books
    The Genius of Japanese Carpentry: The Secrets of a Craft: Azby Brown: 9784770019783: Amazon.com: Books
    The Complete Japanese Joinery: Hideo Sato, Yasua Nakahara, Koichi Paul Nii: 9780881791211: Amazon.com: Books
    Amazon.com: Japanese Joinery: A Handbook for Joiners and Carpenters (9780881790016): Yasuo Nakahara: Books
    Amazon.com: Shoji and Kumiko Design: Book 1 The Basics (9780987258304): Desmond King: Books

    Home | Select II Ceramic Waterstone
    japanese tool company woodworking tool blade knife whetstone kanna nomi ono nokogiri
    japanesesaw - RK TRADING

    Japanese Woodworking Blogs Forums
    Japanese Woodworking Forums • Index page
    Daiku Dojo -- Japanese Woodworking Group
    giant Cypress: Japanese woodworking tool punk
    the Carpentry Way
    Robin Wood: Japanese woodworking tools, axes and adzes
    Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.

    Museums
    Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum | Home
    Traditional Crafts of Japan
    The Japan Folk Crafts Museum

    General Tool Resources
    japanese tool Description
    Daiku Dojo -- Interesting Web Links
    :&lt;&lt;&gt;&gt;: JAANUS :&lt;&lt;&gt;&gt;: Terminology of Japanese Architecture Art History
    Getting a handle on things... « Tools from Japan blog.
    Traditional Crafts of Japan
    Skills of Sanjo Blacksmithing - SANJO CITY
    Denshi Jisho - Online Japanese dictionary
    Japanese units of measurement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Convert Japanese length units
    KANNA ALPHEBETICAL
    Kezurou-kai USA
    Convert 寸 to cm | Japanese sun to centimeters
    Japanese weights and measures - Everything2.com

  12. #11
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    Here is an Aussie site japanesetools.com.au

    I have brought a saw, combo stone and some marking knives from them, both F2F and online.
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pat View Post
    Here is an Aussie site japanesetools.com.au
    I agree with the addage to buy the best tool you can afford, this makes me a tool snob.


    Personally their are much better sources with much better range of choices and prices.

    Most stuff they sell is factory made and is made for the mass consumption market.

    They do stock some brand names but you are buying off the shelf, almost all others sellers will allow you to customise your purchase.

    If price is a constraint factor then look at new/old stock. For far less money you can get some amazing tools.

    This is were I would advice most people to start out. Buy an old kanna and an old nomi then learn to set up and use, then spread out.

  14. #13
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    You're probably overwhelmed at this point but...

    Another chisel maker to add to the list would be Hidari Konobu (左小信). Saitou-san being the main blacksmith. I've got 8 chisels from him. All excellent fit and finish with great edge retention. Hard to find these outside of Japan best to get in contact with people in Japan and they can order these quite easily. He is more known as an excellent carving chisel maker rather than standard chisels but the fit and finish is superb regardless.

    Regarding Kiyohisa, last I heard a few months back he was ill and the waitlist is growing longer. I hope he recovers (if he hasn't already).

    As for kanna, Takeo Nakano, Fusaichi Yamaguchi and Yamamoto all make excellent kanna for their price, too. I cant justify purchasing from japanesetools.com.au when the same can be had for a reasonable discount direct from Japan for most items they stock.

    Best of luck. Don't get sucked in like I have.... It gets very involved haha.

  15. #14
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    Thanks Thumbsucker. Will spend the next few weeks while off my feet reading the links!


  16. #15
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    Having watched his comments over many years I would recommend Stan Covington if anyone needs a guiding hand from someone living in Japan. Covington & Sons Tools – Information about using and maintaining woodworking tools, especially Japanese chisels and planes
    CHRIS

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