bill tindall
>I own one Japanese chisel. In general I don't like them but for one operation it is my-go to chisel. Its chunky blade invites holding it by the blade and nibbling away at something held in the other hand.

An advantage of making one's own tools is that custom shapes can be had inexpensively, expecially if one can piggy back on other's tools going to the heat treater.

This chisel is made from CPM 3V. It was sawed and ground to shape from a 1" by 1/4" bar stock and hardened Rc 61. The bevel is about 27 degrees for paring.

In use, the thumb is placed on the bevel and the rest of the fingers wrapped around the chunky metal part. This one feels good in the hand. The handle is there for looks, or maybe balance.

The handle has some sentimental value. It is made from the remains of a huge maple (1310 bd ft) I logged many years ago. The "blistered" butt cut went to Williamsburg for gun stocks, and I have made various things over the yeras from the rest.