Although this looks likea chisel it is actually used in a similar fashion to a Western draw shave for flattening straight and curved surfaces. It is an ancient and superbly functional tool which probably pre-dates the use of planes in Japan....
Masterful, heirloom quality by Tasai Mokume. Mokume means 'wood grain' which the surface of these tools resembles. Sandalwood handles. Aesthetic masterpieces.
Kamo Hocho
The VG-10 steel core is covered by a total of 16 layers of steel, thus creating an interesting Suminagashi pattern. The round sandalwood handle has an interesting red-brown colour and a black stacked wood ferrule. The blacksmith Shiro...