5 Tasai Bench Chisels [Preowned]

Product Description

These are pre-owned bevel edged bench chisels from the forge of master blacksmith Akio Tasai in Japan. A commission sale.

They have been used very sparingly; the hoops have been struck and there are burrs to be attended to in order to safeguard your fingers but that is a quick and easy job. The chisels and box are in G++ condition.

Laminated steel with single hollows. The cutting edge is blue paper steel (62-63 Rockwell) made to Tasai’s specific requirements whilst the shock absorbing backing steel on the chisel is a beautifully Damascus patterned steel which displays a wood grain effect known as MOKUME.

Akio Tasai enjoys a legendary reputation among Japan's metalworkers, especially due to his Mokume technique. He works with his son Michio at their forge, Nomikaji Tasai, which was established in 1975. Here they hand craft woodworking tools used in the construction of buildings including Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Akio & Michio receive custom orders for specialized tools from carpenters across Japan and worldwide. The entire manufacturing process of the tools, from casting the steel to sharpening edges, is carried out at their forge in Sanjo City.

In 2014, founder Tasai Akio was acknowledged as a Master of Traditional Crafts by the Japanese government.

• Blade length is 60mm with an overall length of 220mm
• 9mm, 15mm, 24mm, 30mm, 36mm wide.
• Hand forged ferrules and hoops.
• Sandalwood handles.
• Each chisel is stamped with the makers mark
• Housed in a 10-slot traditional chisel box made from paulownia.

These are available through Dictum in Germany and the Cornish Little Nomi Shop where they fetch quite eye watering amounts. Commission sales of these beauties are likely to be a rare thing.

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