Japanese chisel confusion

Re: Japanese chisel confusion

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Yes, they're both Funahiro, but they're very different chisel designs, even though both are genju (super blue steel). Chu tataki are between bench and timber (atsu) chisels in strength.

Pam

Re: Japanese chisel confusion

Dave Burnard

>Yes - same maker - Funatsu-san.

Re: Japanese chisel confusion

Dean Lapinel

>"Chu tataki are between bench and timber (atsu) chisels in strength"

So does that mean that the chu tataki are meant more for framers and less for fine woodworking?

Re: Japanese chisel confusion

Dave Burnard

>Japanese chisels, like western chisels, come in several sizes - so if regular bench chisels are size 2, chu tataki are size 3 and timber are size 4. There are a couple of variations on the smaller sizes. I think the chu tataki size is often referred to as temple carpenter size.

If you are truly a "hamfisted" galoot, you might like the feel of these slightly longer and larger chisels. On the other hand if you only ever make delicate objects like violins and jewelry boxes you may not want the extra size and strength.

Personally I like the "close in" feel of the regular sized oire-nomi bench chisels - I switch to atsu-nomi for big stuff. Gee maybe I need something in between - an excuse for more chisels?

Re: Japanese chisel confusion

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>What Dave said. I bought several Funahiro chu tataki, but slightly shorter and lighter versions of his full chu tataki, in 12-18 mm sizes. Although this was an impulse buy (another woodworker had recommended Funahiro full size chu tataki), something about standing in Hida's shop surrounded by Japanese chisels was too much for me to deny. And then I held them. Of all the chisels there I chose these. I like them a lot, primarily for those more delicate carpentry tasks that need strength but which, due to relatively narrow wood dimensions used, atsu nomi are too much.

Pam

Re: Japanese chisel confusion *LINK*

Dean Lapinel

>Ok, so this is the correct order for size and heft?

Oire-nomi

Chu tataki

Atsu nomi

I am pretty sure that with more delicate furniture joinery and violin making I would prefer the Oire-nomi.

I just bought this on e-bay (see below) now I wonder what size it is. I guess it doesn�t matter because if I like this I might get a full set of bench chisels and some gouges. I really like the more inexpensive Japanese gouges I got from Japan woodworker (2 small and one 14 inch hollowing gouge) so the more expensive �name� makers should, theoretically stay sharper longer and maybe be even cooler looking. This stuff is nuts, it�s a whole new wonderful world!


e-bay bench chisel

Re: Japanese chisel confusion

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Oh, then we get into mortising chisels (mukou machi), paring chisels (usu), dovetail (ari), cranked paring (kote), and so forth. Once you get the basic body type defined, time to start thinking about double bevels or not, etc. It is a very interesting tool adventure.

For my work, I think the speciality chisels, especially paring and mortising, are where the Japanese tools excel. I regret that I first bought a set of bench chisels, hardly ever use them now that I have most of the speciality that I need. I also seldom buy sets, got to be a pretty good deal.

Pam