Oire-nomi or umeki-nomi for small sizes

[Cliff Polubinsky]

I have both Japanese bench chisels (ore-nomi) and dovetail chisels (umeki-nomi) in various sizes. I'd like to add a 3mm chisel to my collection. For a chisel that small does it matter which style it is? I understand that the dovetail style is designed for lighter hammer strikes but you're not going to be wailing away on a chisel that small anyway so is there any advantage, one over the other?

Thanks
Cliff

[David Wong]

I have several regular style 3mm japanese chisels. They are all between 6mm to 7.5mm in height. I do not have a dovetail style chisel in that size, but I would imagine that a 3mm dovetail chisel does not differ in height very much. If the height is similar, the side angle will not be so different. My 3mm oire-nomi's have varying sized flats on the sides. Some are large, some are shallow (~1mm), so it approaches the profile of a dovetail chisel.

[Andrew Hughes]

I have a 3mm chisel that I use for small Dts. I do use it as needed because it’s my smallest chisel with good steel.
Bought it for small Dts.