Thread: 3 year wait for these chisels finally over!

Hi Derek,

Ahh... delayed gratification... none of the cheap instant thrills and sticky taped add-on bling about these tools.

Stoic patience is it's own reward, nice to see craftsmanship being treasured and so highly valued in these days of cheap disposable goods.

Sometimes the story is as interesting as the tools themselves, the long wait, the sacrificing of other tools to be able to afford it.

I remember reading a book on Japanese woodworking, where the apprentice was roundly thrashed for buying a plane that was too good for his level of skill and station in the craft, the plane was confiscated by the master.

My question is, Derek-san have you done enough years of the spiritual apprenticeship to be worthy of the quality of these paring chisels? (just kidding of course)....

Regards
Ray

That's one seriously impressive birthday present.

Interesting dilemma though - could you actually use them?

I would be too scared to use them, wouldn't want to drop one or find the missus using one to leaver the lid of a tin of paint.

Hey, they're just tools.

They are not religious icons or bookends.

Like the smoother I have from Jim Krenov, tools are to be used.

There is just more pleasure in using special tools.

I have not yet had a reason to use these chisels, but getting close. Working on two Jarrah Military Chests, the carcases of which have 64 dovetails altogether. Half were chopped out (today ... in 34 degrees C and 61% humidity!), and then comes the paring!

Regards from Perth

Derek

Very pleased for you Derek.
I must admit that I've been envisaging craftsmen dressed like Shinto priests engaging in a manufacturing equivalent of Tai Chi, and then only at certain phases of the moon.
Enjoy them.
Cheers,
Jim

Well Jim, they say "when in Rome ...". You should see me in my kimono

Thanks for the wishes

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by jimbur

and then only at certain phases of the moon.

Funnily enough, the moon sometimes plays a big part in Japanese tool making.
The ideal temperature to quench is when the steel is "the colour of the August moon"
Now, while that sounds poetic, what it actually describes is a very precise temperature. Of course that means you can only make the best chisels during a full moon in August...

Seriously nice chisels Derek, I know you will derive great pleasure from using them... I'm very jealous..
Regards Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Funnily enough, the moon sometimes plays a big part in Japanese tool making.
The ideal temperature to quench is when the steel is "the colour of the August moon"
Now, while that sounds poetic, what it actually describes is a very precise temperature. Of course that means you can only make the best chisels during a full moon in August...

Seriously nice chisels Derek, I know you will derive great pleasure from using them... I'm very jealous..
Regards Ray

and then when it's not raining

Thanks Ray.

You need to understand that a phrase such as "the colour of the August moon" immediately triggers the memory of the Goon's "House of the August Moon". And, if you are old enough to recall this, then you deserve to own a decent set of chisels.

Of course, this was my birthday pressie 3 years ago. Delayed gratification indeed, as you observed. Fortunately, there have been a number of substitute birthday presents inbetween.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Something to enjoy. They look worth a 3 year wait.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Thanks Ray.

You need to understand that a phrase such as "the colour of the August moon" immediately triggers the memory of the Goon's "House of the August Moon". And, if you are old enough to recall this, then you deserve to own a decent set of chisels.

Derek

Hi Derek,
That reference had me trawling through goon show episodes, I think I've got all of them..

Found it!

The "Teahouse of the August moon" features in series 5 episode 17 "The China Story" first aired in January 1955, Moriaty instructs Seagoon to go there knock 6000 times and ask for Arpong... he knocks 6000 times and say's "is this the teahouse of the August Moon" ... no.... curse's it's next door...

Of course it's all part of a fiendish plot to get a rosewood english upright piano for the chinese general cash-my-check...

... fond memories...

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray

"The Teahouse of the August Moon"! A slight lapse in memory.

I just love the frenetic, slapstick verbal silliness.

Seagoon is told to ask for Arpong, so he goes to the door, knocks 6000 times (which takes forever) and, when the door swings wide, says "Are you Arpong?". To which the reply comes, "Yes, we are arpong" (in a Chinese accent).

"Is this the Teahouse of the August Moon?".

"No, that is next door." .................



Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek,

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, I'm now going to put the goon show on instead of workshop background music...

Doesn't matter how many times you hear them, you still hear new jokes every time

Regards
Ray

Hi Derek,

Finally got to a computer where I could see your photos. Just beautiful chisels, and so thin. In likes them, a lot. Congratulations of surviving the wait.

More Japanese chisels to be envious of. Is there no end to this torture from fellow forumites?

Cheers
Pops