Each week we bring you a round-up of interesting and entertaining woodworking content from the Woodworkers Institute and the web, including handy tips to help you get stuck into your next woodworking project.
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The Genius of Japanese Woodworking Tools
Japanese woodworking hand tools have a reputation founded on precision, traditional manufacturing methods and expert craftsmanship. Their designs, construction methods and techniques offer an alternative experience to Western hand tools – one that can excite curiosity in any adventurous woodworker. Take the common saw as an example. Unlike Western designs, which typically cut on the push stroke, Japanese tools are designed to be pulled, providing better control and thinner cuts. How? Unlike with compression, the blade won’t buckle under tension, so it can be thinner, requiring less effort and removing less waste. Clever!
Other innovations:
The kanna (Japanese plane) is another key tool, producing incredibly smooth surfaces. Unlike Western planes, it is pulled rather than pushed, requiring precise adjustments for the best results. Woodworkers often fine-tune their kanna to achieve near-polished finishes.
The nomi (Japanese chisels) are renowned for their durability and sharpness. Made from laminated steel with a hard cutting edge and a softer iron backing, they are renowned for holding an edge exceptionally well. The oire-nomi is commonly used for general woodworking, while the tataki-nomi, with a longer handle, is designed for heavier mallet work.
It’s believed the origins of Japanese woodworking tools date back to the 6th–8th centuries, when influence from Chinese and Korean techniques were formative in Japan’s nascent tool industry. However, Japan’s isolation during the Edo period (1603–1868) led to the refinement of toolmaking, giving rise to many artisanal toolmakers who competed on quality and durability. Many of these manufacturing techniques remain unchanged today, with artisans continuing to forge them using traditional methods.
Japanese woodworking tools are highly regarded worldwide for their precision, efficiency, and craftsmanship. Whether used by master joiners or hobbyists, they embody the precision and efficiency that are the hallmarks of Japanese culture today.
On the WWI this week: Anthony Bailey talks Japanese pullsaws