sasaki@harvard.ARPA (06/15/85)
The reference to Japanese tool makers being decendants of sword makers is not entirely true. It might be that blacksmiths who once made swords changed to making tools when swordplay was on the down swing, but tool makers were revered in Japan as much as sword makers were. Just as sword makers would pass on the techniques and tradition from generation to generation, so too would tool makers pass on their lore. Wood workers and carpenters would (and still do) pass tools on to their sons (alas, almost all wood workers in Japan are male). Mahogany Masterpieces sells plane blades and chisels made like Japanese swords (many hammered laminations). They cost a fortune and are probably no better at cutting than a regular Japanese tool blade, but they are beautiful, almost too beautiful to be used. My great uncle would tell stories about some of his tools (alas he sold them when he left Japan for Hawaii). Planing is often done on a planing board that has one long board (where the work is placed for planing) and two legs attached to the long board, a lop-sided tripod. My great uncle boasted of a blade so sharp and a plane body so well tuned, that all he needed to do was place the plane on the piece of wood to plane (this being attached to a planing board) and let the plane go; gravity would pull the plane down and a perfect shaving would be cut. -- ---------------- Marty Sasaki net: sasaki@harvard.{arpa,uucp} Havard University Science Center phone: 617-495-1270 One Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138
dave@fluke.UUCP (Dave Van Ess) (06/18/85)
I just read a recommendation for WOODLINE The Japan Woodworker. I also have to agree it is probibly the best place on the west coast to get high quality japanese tools. The last time I was in California I stopped to vist and bought a set of chisels. I spoke with the owner, Fred Damsen. He was most helpful in helping me select a set of chisels. I explained to Fred that I was looking for a set of chisels that I could learn on, but if I destoryed them I wouldn't be out alot of money. Of the four or five different quality levels of chisels I ended up buying ones of the middle quality. If you live in the bay area you should visit the store sometime. It will be worth the effort. Their address is: WOODLINE The Japanworker 1731 Clement St. Alameda, CA 94501 (415) 521-1810 WOODLINE also does catalog sales. Dave Van Ess ps I sometimes wish they didn't do catalog sales. They have a set of Aogami Hagane Usu Tsuki Nomi ( Blue Steel Paring Chisels ). Half of me wants to buy them. The other half (and my wife) doesn't.