Mizuno Seisakusho Co., Ltd: Hand forged traditional Japanese Axes.

[transmaster]

Ran across this interesting YouTube of traditionally hand forged Japanese axes. The site does not yet have an e-Store and the instructions for ordering their axes are a little vague. They mention Amazon. I have not checked my Amazon Japan account to see if they are there. They also make a line of really nice sheet metal bending pliers.

This is the link to the English language site.

MizunoSeisakusyo | 水野製作所　鉞（まさかり）、斧、掴箸　越後三条打刃物

水野製作所は、三条鍛冶の伝統を継承する鍛冶職人です。薪割り鉞、斧、つかみ箸など、伝統工芸士がつくる越後三条打刃物をお試しください。

mizunoss.com

 

[gregm32768]

Yeah I saw that one too. I like the old guy, so ordered one of their axes will chop some stuff with it when it gets here.. a smaller hatchet for vines and whatnot will be handy...

 

[gregm32768]

The hatchet came today- pretty nice work and factory sharp I got the unfinished curvy handle vs straight. Going to give the handle a scrub with steel wool and soak in BLO, then put it to work. The 450g head is a good match for the handle balance-wise.

Lint on strap is mine alas that stuff moves fast lol, head's finish is more blued than it looks in the photo.

 

[gregm32768]

After a few days in the linseed oil bath; ready to work. I have a playdate in the woods on the 15th- a couple deadfalls to buck and move and whatever else down the right-of-way I can get to. The grooves 3 on left and 4 on right of the poll are traditional offerings to the mountain/forest spirits to prevent accidents- much appreciated

 

[transmaster]

Where did you order it from?

 

[gregm32768]

Some of them are on amazon, a few other resellers around the world also. I got mine from Hitohira who apparently carries a substantial number of their axes.

btw, I chopped some kindling with it yesterday- smaller pieces from the wood stacks, it performed well. It was quite pleasant to use compared to the elcheapo home depot grade all steel hatchet my daughter bought some time ago. The Mizuno hatchet is a bit lighter but is easy and effective with the curvy handle. I generally prefer a straight handle or at least one without a lot of structural ornamentation, but I really like how this handle design works.

Chopping kindling is good, will be great on smaller vines- we constantly struggle with english ivy and wisteria around here. Probably stuff of thumb diameter and smaller, and a light axe for bigger. That cheap home depot hatchet has horrible balance compared to the Mizuno which I expect will be less fatiguing to the hand while hacking at the vines.