These hefty framing chisels are a culmination of my own timber framing experience combined with the detailed designing and prototyping of a master temple builder in Japan. This combination has achieved a powerful tool for precise accurate work in large timbers.
Massively thicker and longer than even the largest modern made Japanese chisels, these tools harken back to an age before power tools, when carpenters relied on hand tools alone to craft lasting wooden architecture. The tools mass aids in the work, set and tap these striking chisels and they dive!
As with the best tools traditionally in Japan, these chisels are forged mostly from 1018 mild steel for the body and have a super high carbon tool steel cutting edge forge welded on the cutting surface. This laminated construction gives the tools many superior attributes. The soft steel body is very durable and tough and permits the tool steel edge to be very hard without being brittle. No need for differential hardening or softer tempering as often seen in modern monosteel tools.
Each chisel is hand forged one at a time, ground and hand filed before a custom handle is lathe turned and installed. A hand made vegetable tanned leather sheath is included for each chisel.
For this group we have both a 1" and 2" heavy striking chisel, and a 2" paring chisel.
The striking chisels have no bevels and their massive thick sides are carefully ground at 90 degrees to the back, giving them the most power and accuracy in digging mortises and especially cleaning corners. They average around 13" in length and are close to 5/8" thick.
The Paring chisels have the same thickness and heft with longer necks and handles and have added bevels to make them more useful in tighter spaces. They average 19" in length.
Final flat lapping and polish of the back and honing are required before use. This goes swiftly with a diamond plate progression or sandpaper on glass.
We ship out tools weekly, normally on Wednesday, if orders arrive after that they should go out the next Wednesday.
