Thread: looking for 1st kanna

Hi,

Have a look here:
Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.

There is a large selection at pretty good prices and Stu (the proprietor) is very good about responding to any questions or concerns you might have. I've purchased tools from him and have been very satisfied.

Steve

your linke is for HSS ...my english is realy bad ...
i just want carbon steel , no Hss....

but this site is good ,

There are lots of kanna with white or blue steel if you look (check under the menu for planes - here: Planes : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.).

Steve

Sheets
thanks you !

small is beter for start or ....?

It depends on what you want to do. A finish plane is usually large (65-70 mm). Planes for rough work or removing much material are usually smaller (42-60 mm) because thicker shavings are harder to pull with a large plane, but it also depends on the size and types of the wood you are working on. Probably, you will want several planes in different sizes (eventually). But as a start, perhaps a 60 mm can be versatile enough to do most jobs.

Steve

Hello, I had researched for a while, the available kanna (plural?) on online sites. I was a bit apprehensive to drop a lot of money for something with which I had no experience.
I decided to buy a used kanna from ebay, of which there always seems to be a few. A great decision.. yes I got one with a small crack in the blade, but it works well enough for a beginner to the world of kanna.. and now I am in the market for a new one. Everyone wins! Although I use my vintage Stanleys much less.
The 30 dollar used kanna however gave me the opportunity to learn the in's and out's of use, sharpening a kanna blade, adjustment technique of the "blade's bed".. (sorry my chart of Japanese kanna terms is in my shop).. as I needed to adjust this because of local lack-of-humidity's effect on blade tightness.

I recommend starting with a lower cost kanna.. one with which you can experiment and learn. They are so easy to use and maintain but I would have balked at being cavalier with a $600 piece of tool-art while having no experience.

Stu from Tools from Japan speaks seems to be pretty impressed by the Tsunesaburo planes that he sells Hira-kanna - large planes. : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan. . The first two on that list aren't too expensive!

I'm pondering this question as well, having been hooked by the performance of a little 150mm Ryuma kanna from Stu...

Originally Posted by NZStu

Stu from Tools from Japan speaks seems to be pretty impressed by the Tsunesaburo planes that he sells Hira-kanna - large planes. : Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan. . The first two on that list aren't too expensive!

I'm pondering this question as well, having been hooked by the performance of a little 150mm Ryuma kanna from Stu...

From the little I know about such matters, I think it is unusual to be able to get an 'economy' entry level and 'premium' level kanna from the same maker(s). You could be confident that the 'economy' kanna from such a maker wouldn't fall below a level that would compromise their reputation as a 'premium' kanna maker.

I recently gave my first generation Tsunesaburo Togo Reigo away to a good home. It had the hardest (non HSS) steel I have ever sharpened. Almost wore out my waterstones on it, but what a beautiful blade. Probably the best blade I will ever get my hands on and definitely worthy of a better user than me...

Neil is partially correct about the 'economy level' planes, as usual.

The two cheaper models have a steel backing, not wrought iron like everything else they make, with the exception of the HSS and small, cheaper planes.

You also forgo the closed mouth, and they're really aimed at just being a plane, nothing more than that.

Given the choice, I'd go with the 3rd cheapest () as a minimum, Doshyoponne I think it's called (spelling could be different, but I think you get the idea). It's the lowest level plane with wrought iron backing, which makes a significant difference when sharpening at the very least. Sharpening a steel back and then a wrought iron back, you'd never look at a steel backed tool the same way ever again. Of course, they use decent steel that minimises the difference, but it's there and it doesn't show 'steel backs' in a good light.

But other than that, the cheaper planes get the same treatment as everything else. Considering how much performance you get for the money, they're still a bargain, but they'll never be as good as the slightly better, wrought iron backed stuff.

Neil, a Togo Reigo? Yikes! You know you can theoretically still buy them, but they vet anyone who asks about them.

And 'like HSS'? It is effectively HSS, which is part of the reason they're so expensive. Yes, the steel is limited in supply now, but it's also a nightmare to weld and there's only a handful of people who can actually weld it. Tsunesaburo III showed a picture of one he'd done recently with a flawed weld on their blog. Almost emailed them and said "Send it to me!!!"

But I'm too practical to opt for anything like that myself. And I'm unlikely to really use it, so I can understand the passing it on. I'd like to say I'd do the same, but I know myself too well, and probably wouldn't.

Stu.

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Neil is partially correct about the 'economy level' planes, as usual.

The two cheaper models have a steel backing, not wrought iron like everything else they make, with the exception of the HSS and small, cheaper planes.

You also forgo the closed mouth, and they're really aimed at just being a plane, nothing more than that.

Given the choice, I'd go with the 3rd cheapest () as a minimum, Doshyoponne I think it's called (spelling could be different, but I think you get the idea). It's the lowest level plane with wrought iron backing, which makes a significant difference when sharpening at the very least. Sharpening a steel back and then a wrought iron back, you'd never look at a steel backed tool the same way ever again. Of course, they use decent steel that minimises the difference, but it's there and it doesn't show 'steel backs' in a good light.

But other than that, the cheaper planes get the same treatment as everything else. Considering how much performance you get for the money, they're still a bargain, but they'll never be as good as the slightly better, wrought iron backed stuff.

Some good food for thought there Stu. I was idly pondering the possibility of getting a full size Kanna and thinking that maybe the lower end Tsunesaburos might do the job, but it sounds like it's worth waiting a bit until both my ability and bank balance is up to getting one of the better ones.

For a beginner, how do the Intermediate grade ones (the oiled Kakuri and the Asahifuji) sit? More out of interest really, as I'm not one for spending money with the intention of upgrading later...

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Togo Reigo.... Yikes! You know you can theoretically still buy them, but they vet anyone who asks about them.

And 'like HSS'? It is effectively HSS, which is part of the reason they're so expensive. Yes, the steel is limited in supply now, but it's also a nightmare to weld and there's only a handful of people who can actually weld it. Tsunesaburo III showed a picture of one he'd done recently with a flawed weld on their blog. Almost emailed them and said "Send it to me!!!"

Thanks Stu, leaned something new. Togo Reigo is in effect a HSS.

And, yes, don't think I'd get to first base with a new Togo Reigo blade. I guess ten years apprenticed to an approved master might get me a price quote. And, having got a price quote, and after regaining my composure, I'd then have to politely pass up the opportunity. No, don't reckon I'll ever get to play with another one....

Originally Posted by NeilS

Thanks Stu, leaned something new. Togo Reigo is in effect a HSS.

And, yes, don't think I'd get to first base with a new Togo Reigo blade. I guess ten years apprenticed to an approved master might get me a price quote. And, having got a price quote, and after regaining my composure, I'd then have to politely pass up the opportunity. No, don't reckon I'll ever get to play with another one....

Umm...

<Stage Whisper On>

I shipped one out today...

<Stage Whisper Off>

I suppose when you do the right things, you are granted some latitude.


Oh, other Stu, shoot me an email. Lucked into another kanna that's ready to go, out of the box. Not bad at all, and a well known brand on it. Not cheap, but not OTT either. Was a surprise to find it in such shape as-new, especially since I deliberately wanted one that needed setting up.

However, I have a few cut dai lying around that can be fitted up.

I'd suggest that the one I'm thinking of now is better than the oiled Kakuri (not bad, but nothing special at all, needs fitting) and perhaps slightly less kanna than the Asahifuji (good, but not great, needs fitting).

Stu.


Stu.

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Umm...

<Stage Whisper On>

I shipped one out today...

<Stage Whisper Off>

I suppose when you do the right things, you are granted some latitude.

So that would be the $2500 plane you mentioned in my other thread? Christ on a bike!

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Oh, other Stu, shoot me an email. Lucked into another kanna that's ready to go, out of the box. Not bad at all, and a well known brand on it. Not cheap, but not OTT either. Was a surprise to find it in such shape as-new, especially since I deliberately wanted one that needed setting up.

However, I have a few cut dai lying around that can be fitted up.

I'd suggest that the one I'm thinking of now is better than the oiled Kakuri (not bad, but nothing special at all, needs fitting) and perhaps slightly less kanna than the Asahifuji (good, but not great, needs fitting).

Stu.


Stu.

Let's see if the "cut dai" option pans out first (Did the price I mentioned in my email qualify as "cheap?" and would twice that still be reasonable?)

That's a good plan, on the older one with the mostly worn out dai. I think the price is quite reasonable, twice that, maybe. If a bidding war starts, back away.

It may well be the holy grail of kanna, but I sincerely doubt it and can't be sure without a lot more information, which is thin on the ground to say the least.

Besides, getting too excited would contravene one of the rules I stipulate when looking at Japanese tools, if there's an animal in the name, don't expect very much.

(Animals seem to be some sort of code spelling "mediocrity".)

Stu.