Stanley Covington
04-22-2018, 8:40 AM
For those of you that like handmade tools, I thought I would post some photos of a couple of unusual chisels from my toolchest.
These are called the Kotenomi, which translates to "trowel chisel." They are very handy for cleaning dadoes and groves, cutting the bottoms and sides of sliding dovetails, and inletting everything imaginable, including swamped octagonal Kentucky longrifle barrels.
Remember, there is no equivalent to the router plane in Japan, and very few craftsman here have ever even heard of one.
They are not easy chisels to make, and are a true test of not only a blacksmith's shaping and finishing technique, but his artistic skills.
I have two I would like to show you today. The first is a fairly standard one I picked up somewhere. It works fine. Notice the angles and grinder marks. No sen or filework here. Plane Jane.
The second one was made by Kiyotada (Shimamura Kosaburo) in the Chiyozuru Korehide style from White Label No.1 Steel. I own 4 or 5 of these by Shimamura san in various widths, and have owned this tool for 16 or 17 years. I am told by the retailer that ordered it that he lent Shimamura san a Chiyozuru kotenomi chisel as a reference, but that it took a long time and much trial and error and frustration before he got it right. No sandpaper. No grinder marks. Just sen and file.
Notice the smooth transitions, and melding of blade to neck at a precise angle. Notice the surfaces, which look smooth but show hand filework untouched by sandpaper. More sculpture than tool.
If you have heard of the Japanese terms Wabi Sabi, then you know this subtly beautiful chisel epitomizes that concept.
I am not dismissing the skills of the smith that made the standard chisel. He had a target customer, quality, and price point, whereas Shimamura san was tasked with beauty and performance 1st and 2nd, and cost 8th or 9th.
Stan
384396384397384398384399
384400384401384402384403
These are called the Kotenomi, which translates to "trowel chisel." They are very handy for cleaning dadoes and groves, cutting the bottoms and sides of sliding dovetails, and inletting everything imaginable, including swamped octagonal Kentucky longrifle barrels.
Remember, there is no equivalent to the router plane in Japan, and very few craftsman here have ever even heard of one.
They are not easy chisels to make, and are a true test of not only a blacksmith's shaping and finishing technique, but his artistic skills.
I have two I would like to show you today. The first is a fairly standard one I picked up somewhere. It works fine. Notice the angles and grinder marks. No sen or filework here. Plane Jane.
The second one was made by Kiyotada (Shimamura Kosaburo) in the Chiyozuru Korehide style from White Label No.1 Steel. I own 4 or 5 of these by Shimamura san in various widths, and have owned this tool for 16 or 17 years. I am told by the retailer that ordered it that he lent Shimamura san a Chiyozuru kotenomi chisel as a reference, but that it took a long time and much trial and error and frustration before he got it right. No sandpaper. No grinder marks. Just sen and file.
Notice the smooth transitions, and melding of blade to neck at a precise angle. Notice the surfaces, which look smooth but show hand filework untouched by sandpaper. More sculpture than tool.
If you have heard of the Japanese terms Wabi Sabi, then you know this subtly beautiful chisel epitomizes that concept.
I am not dismissing the skills of the smith that made the standard chisel. He had a target customer, quality, and price point, whereas Shimamura san was tasked with beauty and performance 1st and 2nd, and cost 8th or 9th.
Stan
384396384397384398384399
384400384401384402384403