Question for Pam and others

Re: Question for Pam and others

ThomD

>What makes the difference is what happens to them after they are received. Occasionally I have used chisels that worked much better than the baseline expectations which I attribute to the maker, certainly. But the product of the best smiths is less variable than the users they supply over here.

A twisted multi layered steel is not a rarity these days, lots of home shops are making the same thing. In our hands that comes off a little like a wood consumer's first figured bowl, or the first time they see a finely planed surface. It's a bit like dovetails, everyone can do them.

Beautiful chisels are a wonderful thing, I certainly hope they inspire you.

Re: Question for Pam and others

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>I purchased a few Nishiki chisels, though not twisted wood grain versions. At least two of them had defects, e.g. slightly crooked shanks that offset the head from the handle. They were returned. I have no idea about the quality of the wood grain versions, nor about the status of Nishiki in the pantheon of master blacksmiths.

If I wanted to purchase very special chisel sets, which is a highly unlikely event given that I'm a needs based consumer who knows that the wood grain adds nothing to the performance and thinks twisted necks, while stronger, are only needed if the shank is very thin, I'd look at Funahiro, Tasai, and the like. And I'd probably not buy oire nomi (bench chisels). Check out the ultra thin paring chisels. I have one of Tasai's that makes me feel masterful whenever I use it. And here I am, using this marvellous chisel to gently sculpture the bed for the ura....

They'll be poignant memories/artifacts only if you use them for something special, perhaps to build a furniture heirloom.

And if you really want to impress those grandkids until they get old enough to appreciate grandpa, buy them some bonds instead. :)

Pam

Re: Question for Pam and others *LINK*

Hank Knight

>Dean,

Have you considered Imai (Chuttaro Imai) chisels sold by Misugi Designs. (See link below). Before you order anything call Kayoko at Misugi and ask her what she would suggest. She is very knowledgeable about Japanese hand tools and is the exclusive dealer in the U.S. for a number of the Japanese masters, including Imai. She is delightful and I respect her judgment and recommendations. I have several Imai chisels and they are superb, and they look really nice too.

Hank


Imai Chisels

Re: Question for Pam and others

Frank D. in Montreal

>I went through the same questioning a few years ago when i started buying Japanese chisels. The choice of makers, not to mention the choice of chisels types, left me somewhat confused. I have seen Imai's work and they certainly look like fine chisels. I finally went with Tasai (not a whole set...I didn't want to mortgage my house...I'm still buying them a few at a time) and I have never regretted it. They certainly are inpiring tools, perfect I'd say; they have an aura about them, even if I don't believe in auras. I have both bench (cabinetmaker's) and paring chisels, and I will be getting more of both.

Re: Question for Pam and others

Manny

>If it were me, Nishiki wouldn't be my first choice. Over the years I've had varying success with different styles of Nishiki chisels. But, it really depends on how you intend to use them. I won't hesitate to mortise with a bench chisel if it's within reach and happens to be the size I need, instead of going for a heftier mortise chisel.

There are other brands that will handle a bit more abuse than the Nishiki and I think are better choices, like Funahiro, Tasai, Imai, Hisasaku, Kunikei, etc. You can now find the Kunikei being sold in the US. I was given one last year (or maybe the year before?) and have come to really like it.

If you want something that will handle some abuse and retain the "bling" factor, in the price range of the twisted Nishikis (well maybe a bit more $), the Tasai mokume bench chisels would be a good choice.

I haven't noticed that the mokume or twisted neck add anything to the performance. But it does inspire. My tastes have changed over the years. I prefer the wabi-ness of a black matte finish chisel with the sen marks on the back. If I wanted to splurge, just a bit, on fanciness these days I would pop for the Tasai "file finish" chisels. A couple of buddies in my group have a few file-finish. They look sweet expecially on paring chisels or slicks when paired with ebony or rosewood handles. If I remember correctly they actually cost a little bit more than the Tasai mokume finish.

Re: Question for Pam and others

Manny

>If you plan to get any more of these you may want to contact Kayoko to see if she will continue to take special orders for tools. I believe Misugi Designs will not longer exist after the close of this year. She's shutting it down. Email her to confirm, but I'm pretty sure. All the hardware she used to sell is now at Hida.

Re: Question for Pam and others

Hank Knight

>That's bad news. I wasn't aware she was shutting down. Do you know why?

Kayoko

Wiley Horne

>Hank,

Drop Kayoko an email. She deserves to make her own announcement in her own way, so I won't say much here, other than to say that Kayoko is putting a family responsibility ahead of her business--she doesn't believe she can do justice to both, and is choosing her Mom over the business. She told me that she will nevertheless continue to take care of her customers' needs, in respect to chisels particularly.

Wiley

Re: Kayoko

Hank Knight in SC

>Thanks, Wiley. I'll drop her an e-mail.

Re: Question for Pam and others

ThomD

>Like Frank, I got a set of Tasai, in my case, push chisels. They are the exception in my experience, I dont have an explanation for it.

I have told the story before about handling fancy chisels that are a huge step below what the regular ones are. Basically what I would call thirds or fourths. The tourist model. So if you think there is something wrong with them (obviously not in this case), dont be quiet about it. This happens even from reputable sellers.