interesting tools

firkin

firkin

Joined
Jan 26, 2002
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2,737
http://www.japanesetools.com

Not inexpensive, but from the descriptions likely worth the money--Mostly forged with good steel.

Some highlights:

E1405.jpg


KANEMITSU Skinning
Sickle (Kawamuki-Kama) -
shown with 'Eagle's Beak' stripping point (Tobi)
This tool is very versatile for logging and milling. It is used in both pushing and pulling motions to remove bark. The stripping point will remove a small track of bark so the blade can be inserted underneath.

Made with Hitachi Blue Steel No. 1.
Overall length: 900mm

Looks good for intimidating the neighbors too!

For Yvsa:

E0101-E0104.jpg


Wooden instrument makers will find these tools very useful. The long, narrow taper can be used to take just the right amount of material from a fingering hole to adjust pitch.
Made with blue steel No. 1

Maybe of interest to those attracted (for whatever reason) to "lapel knives" and the like as well.

And to stay sorta close to topic, heres a beauty of a bush knife:

E1505.jpg



SEKIRYU Nata-style Bush Knife

The Nata is a riving tool and can be used for whittling, shaving, scraping, chopping and skinning. It is a very versatile knife, and the wooden case is designed for easy access.

Made with blue steel No. 1 and Northern red oak case & handle.
Overall length ranges from 370mm to 400mm

Pretty, pretty.... love that handle.

And this for last...

500mm%20knife.jpg


Japanese Machete

Call for pricing and ordering information

Made with blue steel No. 1.
Overall Length: 500mm

Kinda wish the kamis would try a few blades with only the bevel ground (convex!;)) I think they might look pretty good that way. Dunno if they would have to do more forging than usual or not.
 
Holy $%^&! Those ARE pricey. But, as you say, VERY nice. Wish I were rich.
 
Keep in mind that Blue Steel is pricey and VERY hard to work. It is also very hard and can be brittle. For some things it's super though
 
Here's what one Japanese maker, Shinichi Watanabe, says about blue steel No. 1.

We use blue steel #2.
What do you think a blade quality? The steel type is certainly important. But that is not all.
It’s important to bring out the 100% talent in steel by heat treatment.
Anyway blue steel #1 and blue steel super is too difficult for general user to resharpen. They are too hard and tough.
Also they’re too expensive as material value. So I usually don’t use them. Actually, many sushi chefs can’t resharpen them.

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthrea...59&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=2&vc=1
 
Thanks for the link. What category was the machete under? I couldn't find it anywhere on the site.
 
So the blue steel is stainless and the white steel high carbon? :confused:

I never have been able to figure that out for certain.:rolleyes: :(
 
Originally posted by firkin
http://www.japanesetools.com

Not inexpensive, but from the descriptions likely worth the money--Mostly forged with good steel.

For Yvsa:

E0101-E0104.jpg


Wooden instrument makers will find these tools very useful. The long, narrow taper can be used to take just the right amount of material from a fingering hole to adjust pitch.
Made with blue steel No. 1

Click to expand...

Thanks Firkin!!!! Indeed they would come in handy. I've been wondering what kind of tool I need to make to cut "under" the "fingering or note hole.":)
I generally burn the holes through and then enlarge, if needed, with a red hot wire.
 
Yvsa, look at the bamboo working tools as well--Some of them look like they could be useful for working other tubular material. Also somewhere in the carving tool section there are some similar, hafted reaming knives that might be less costly.
 
Originally posted by firkin
Yvsa, look at the bamboo working tools as well
Click to expand...

:D Firkin I was all over that website like stink on a skunk!!!!:D
Even went to a couple of their linked sites. That dayumed bamboo is expensive stuff now, ainnit?:eek: :rolleyes:
And still didn't find the bamboo suitable for Flutes. Usually the Japanese Flute is made from the bamboo at the root stock and above as the knuckles, or joints, are extremely close together and consequently extremely strong!!!!
I can only begin to imagine what a piece of that might
cost!!!!:eek: :(
I would probably be just as well off seeking a piece of African Blackwood.:rolleyes:
 
That dayumed bamboo is expensive stuff now, ainnit? :eek: :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Holy Cr*p!!! Just looked at the bamboo site--Some of that stuff is stupifyingly costly--It has to be cheaper to build with teak...

Somebody has to sell bamboo from somewhere else, such as China or some Pacific islands.

Actually around here, a lot of places sell pieces of live green rootstock with close joints that have been trained to grow in curved shapes. They have something to do with an Asian holiday/festival of some sort--maybe Chinese??. Diameter is around 1/2 to 5/8 in, I've not seen any larger.

Prolly not great for flutes but this is some wild looking stuff:

10d.jpg


--Guess it ought to be, at a few grand for a larger diameter piece...:eek:

And looking at the ceiling tiles left me dizzy.
 
Yvsa,

The plants I see for sale in Asian stores are "lucky bamboo" like that here:

http://www.planetbonsai.com/lucky_bamboo_guide.html

lucky_bamboo_4_450_270.jpg


Actually, I see these all over the place, not just Asian stores--I think it has to do with the big Feng Shui epidemic out here in Cali:p

Apparently it's not really bamboo, but it sure looks similar:

In ancient Asia, this plant was considered a member of the Bamboo family. Today, however, modern science classifies it as a Dracaena, specifically Dracaena Sanderiana. Some say it originated in South East Asia, others in Africa, but there is no question that it has been valued in the Orient for centuries as a plant of good fortune.

If you think that you can cure it properly, it might be worth a shot.

Also lots of information here:

http://www.shakuhachi.com/Q-Bamboo.html
TH-5Kyushu.jpg
 
That first tool looks like a kama but with two edges rather than one and an extra spike on the back. Very interesting. ;)
 
Thanks Firkin & Tommy!!!! I just spent several hours roaming around the websites.:D
 
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