Thread: japanese chisels

Hi Greg,

I don't have any Tasai chisels myself, but understand they have a very good reputation, so no concern there (other than cost, perhaps).

Soatoz (So-at-Oz - is So Yamashita. A Japanese tool seller living in Australia). His website is: Japan Tool
As you will note, he is closed temporarily to deal with the volume of enquiries he gets. So you will have to be patient. But I can certainly recommend him having done business with him in the past. He is very knowledgeable and can access the very best or more reasonable depending on your desires and budget.

There is also Schtoo's (Stuart Tierney - an Australian tool seller living in Japan) website: Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.
He is also very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. He, too, can access tools in Japan within the full range of quality and cost (even if you don't see stuff on his website, you can tell him what you're interested in and he can likely get it).

So good luck and enjoy your new tools (when you get them).

Steve

Like many others on this forum I have bought things from So Yamashita and Stuart Tierney. I can recommend both of them, but you will need to be patient if you are buying from So.

I have a Tasai chisel (diamond back - Shinogi), and yes it's a very nice chisel, but it was a very long way from being my first Japanese chisel. I purchased mine secondhand just so I could experience what a top chisel feels like. In retrospect I don't think I would buy one new, but I do enjoy having and using it.

Greg, if cost is not a factor in your decision making then get the Tasai (or another top maker), you won't be disappointed. However, it isn't clear from your posting whether you have had any experience with Japanese chisels. If not, I would recommend you start with some good economy chisels from Stuart Tierney (website: Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan), Stuart will give you good advice on what to get, and learn on them how to sharpen and use before venturing on to higher quality tools. In my experience the extra cost of the top end tools is not commensurate with the increase in quality. The limited supply of tools from the top makers adds a premium that exceeds their intrinsic value. You are buying more than just a tool that cuts wood.

BTW, I'm still to get a dedicated fishtail (bachi) nomi for doing the butterfly inserts I do in my woodturning (see post 9: here). I'm thinking of a Shigezo Matsumura.

Have fun.

Hi Herman,

I got your email, but I'll write this in here so that's more widely available for everyone who wishes to read it. I'll get you a direct answer soon.

Tasai is very well known here in Japan and in the rest of the world. Having not only the 'old guy' still making tools, but his son doing the same is not exactly a common thing. Both of them making a living and doing it with the upper echelon of wood working tools is even rarer, so much so that they're the only ones actively doing it today.

This might sound all voodoo like, but there's more to read in it than just mystique. Any tool maker still active today has managed to survive a massive downturn in demand for tools over the past 70 years. It's been a game of attrition, and those that are still active are at the top of their game. It's a true golden age for woodworking tools, both here in Japan and in the rest of the world, but here in Japan the process has resulted in there being very few 'name makers' left, and those that are still going are either the best of the best or have another 'hook' that keeps them going.

In the case of Tasai, it's really a case of both. Best of the best (survival of the fittest) and they have a hook, making what amounts to functional art. And they still make a good living at it, it's amazing.

But danged they're expensive!

For your dovetail chisels, Tasai and Kunikei are the only two known makers who are making a true ari-tsuki-nomi (dovetail joint chisel) right now. Both are very expensive, but very well made.

There are bachi-nomi, fishtail chisels as Neil pointed out. These don't quite have the right profile for dovetail joints used in Western cabinetry, but they are popular because they almost work well enough and they're not that expensive.

But, there's no flashing lights on the fax machine, so the drawings must have been found. Mrs. Schtoo named the chisel just last night, shamisen-bachi-nomi.

So there's another one in the works. Won't be ready for a while, and some details will need to be hashed out.

And this is the first time I've mentioned it in public. It's getting close, so it's no longer a case of "keep quiet in case it doesn't work out".

I hope...

Stu.

Originally Posted by herman

geday all,my name is greg,a new member,as this is my first thread im hopeing it goes to the right place.my question is i am thinking of buying the tasai special dovetail chisels or the fishtail design ones and was wondering if any members have any of these and if they are worth the purchase.i no longer do any work for clients and just harvest my own skills and finally get to make what i want.I have heard so much about Soatoz but every time i get on what i think is his site i end up talking to someone in japan.Can anyone help as i am thinking of buying the 9mm and the 12mm female socket chisel,cheers.:

Thanks to all for your responses,you have all been very helpfull and you have all stressed me out as well,HA, HA.now all i have to do is get past the wife ,maybe i can try bribing her with a small glass cabinet for her bits and pieces .PS i can move a chisel around ok but i have never had the experience of trying a great well balanced chisel,cheers.