A few new additions to the shop.

[Steve Wargo]

I don't have any pictures yet, cause I'm waiting for one of the boxes to come in. I recently decided to try out a few Japanese Chisels. I was looking for a specialty chisel with a triangular cross-section to use strictly for joinery. I spent a ton of time back and forth with Wiley Horne learning as much as possible about Japanese Chisels and opted to try a few of the Blue Steel Matsumura Cabinet Maker's chisels. They are not the most expensive Japanese chisels ($200 for 4 chisels), but as a few starters I opted to not spend too much on them, just in case I didn't care for them. They are outstanding after my initial use. They are going to work great doing exactly what I wanted them to do. I also have another 4 moulding planes coming... so I'll post pics of all of them when they get here.

[Michael Gibbons]

YOU SUCK!!!:D Congrats. Use them well.

[Tyler Howell]

No Pix??
Didn't happen

[Steve Wargo]

I knew it was a matter of time before the picture police showed up.

[Zahid Naqvi]

sounds great, I finally got my first molding planes tuned up and ready to use yesterday. I think they can get addicting.

[Don C Peterson]

I have several of those exact chisels and they are by far my favorite chisels for paring and fairly light work. I can put an unbelievable edge on those things and they stay sharp.

Nice purchase.

[Corvin Alstot]

I started out with some inexpensive japanese chisels and then moved to the LN chisels,
which I love. A sharp chisel that holds its edge is a wonderful thing. Congrats!

[Steve Wargo]

I probably should have first explained that I have a dozen Two Cherries that I use for general bench work. I also have some older Witherby and Butcher paring chisels I use for joinery. I have a pair of Butcher mortise chisels and pair of pPfeil chisels ground into skews. I have plenty of chisels, but was always looking for that perfect chisel for dovetails. Getting into the corners of the cheeks and shoulders with standard bench chisels can be a pain without denting the walls. So I gave these a shot. I think I'm really gonna be glad I did.

[Bob Noles]

And just how big was that lottery you won? :cool:

That is quite a nice haul you lucky rascal..... and yes, I concur that you suck! ;):D

[Steve Wargo]

Well, Here are a few pics. One is of the Chisels. I've wrapped them in Leather to increase the thickness of the handles. My big meat hooks were just too large for the thin handles. Now they are quite comfortable. The box is for our local Combined Federal Campaign auction at work. It's a men's watch box. Velvet interior and veneered lid. Ebony beading around the lip. Still have to rub out the finish and attach the hinges, but the mortises are cut for the small Brusso hinges. Thanks for all the info on the hinges Wiley and the suggestion to wrap them with leather.

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/MapMahBox1.jpg

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/MapMahBox2.jpg

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/JapaneseChisels.jpg

[Derek Cohen]

Steve

I have a 1/8" and 1/4" in the Matsumura dovetails (I also have a set of 4 Koyamaichi). The Matsumura were improved when I ground the flat off the sides, which was too much to get into the sidewall angles. They are now true triangles.

I use these for chopping. For paring I have Blue Spruce.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tyler Howell]

Worth the wait.
Thanks for sharing

[Randal Stevenson]

How about some action shots and a use review in a while after use?

Thanks

[Steve Wargo]

The review is very favorable. I'm quite impressed with their function. They are outstanding for getting into the corners. I like the softer steel, but easier to sharpen. I'm not a big fan of the A2 and Cryo craze. These guys are RC62 I believe. I only purchased them for the sole purpose of delicate joinery. At that task they are finer than any chisel I've ever used. I very much like the triangular cross section. Great for getting into tight spots. The fit and finish on them is average I would say. The original handles are IMHO way to thin for a bench chisel. The leather wrap has certainly improved the feel of the chisel in my hand. They are worth every penny. I'll be buying more in the future, but will try some higher end ones just to see if there's a huge difference.

[Hank Knight]

Steve,

I have 10 of the Matsumura cabinet makers chisels. My wife ordered them for me and they were shipped to her one or two at a time over a period of a year or so. They are by far my favorite chisels for day-to day light to medium work. I find them just fine for dovetails. I have a couple of true triangular dovetail chisels, but I rerely use them; I use the Matsumura's instead. You made a good choice in my opinion.

I have always been impressed with the fine edge these chisels take. I use Nortons up to 8000 and was satisfied with the the edge they put on the Matsumuras. A year or so ago I started ordering some Imai high-end triangular slicks (paring chisels) from Kayoko at Misugi designs. She and several others talked me into buying a good (read "expensive") natural Japanese Honyama finish stone for my slicks. Well, I tried them on the Matsumuras and learned that the steel in those chisels are capable of a whole 'nother level of sharpness. I am amazed and delighted. - Food for thought.

Congratulations on your new chisels.

Hank

[Bruce Haugen]

Steve,
I have one of the Matsumaras, a half incher, and I thought the handle was a bit small for my mitts. The leather wrap looks like a great solution to that problem. I've never wrapped anything in leather, so did you use hide glue or PVA for that?

Bruce

[Steve Wargo]

Bruce,
I tacked the starting point with thin CA glue and then wrapped them pulling it snug the whole way. I then cut the taper on the end and used CA glue at the end. After a day of use they didn't break free and I figure if they do I'll try a different adhesion method. But I think that this will work. I've never wrapped a tool before and had considered just making new handles... til I saw how these handles are made.

[Jake Darvall]

They look good Steve.

I haven't a complete set like that, but I have got a japanese cranked necked version I'm fond of. You may have one already. One of those tools I find I have much use for. uno. flush paring.

[Terry Beadle]

I just went on to the Misugi Designs web site and it said it was out of business and referred me to Hida Tools... Man, I hope this is not true. My very best chisels came from Kyoko.. :(

[Jack Camillo]

nice box, thanks for posting the pics

[Dale Osowski]

I just went on to the Misugi Designs web site and it said it was out of business and referred me to Hida Tools... Man, I hope this is not true. My very best chisels came from Kyoko.. :(

I've known about this for awhile but didn't want to mention anything until it was time. Kayoko is moving back to Japan to take care of her mother and saw maker Yataki San. She Will still come to the states every few months. It was getting difficult to run the buisines and travel to care for her loved ones.

Dale

[Steve Wargo]

Here is the nice pair of Side Rounds and Side Rebates I just got from Tony Murland in the UK. The last photo is just tool porn.

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/SideRoundsRebates.jpg (http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/SideRoundsRebates.jpg)

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/SideRbatesRounds.jpg

http://madhunkyworkshop.com/images/MouldingPlanes.jpg

Enjoy!!!:D

[Eddie Watkins]

COngratulations, Steve. Very informative and a great box.

Eddie

[Alan Turner]

Nice score. There is shop tip in FWW from about 1994 or 95, and that fellow used hide glue to attach rope for his handle expansion. If the CA doesn't work, you might give me a shout. Don't know if the tip is online.

[Steven Wilson]

Nice selection of chisels Steve. You might consider some paring chisels in the future.

[Steve Wargo]

Alan,
I recall that tip. Pretty sure I have the issue. I had considered using cord, but then saw the leather strapping and thought I'd give it a go.

Steven,
I have some nice Japanese Paring chisels in my future.