Tool buyer’s guide
Compare Japanese chisels, saws, and planes with care instructions and maintenance schedules.
Key differences from Western tools: Japanese saws and planes cut on the pull stroke, allowing thinner blades and finer teeth with exceptional accuracy. Chisels and plane blades use laminated steel (hagane + jigane) for durability and edge retention. Sharpening with whetstones is central to the craft.
Nokogiri (saws): Ryoba—double-edged for crosscut and rip. Dozuki—backed saw for fine joinery and dovetails. Kataba—single-edged for deep or long rips.
Nomi (chisels): Oiire nomi—bench chisels (3–42mm). Shinogi nomi—mortise sidewalls. Mukoumachi-nomi—mortise chisels (not for levering). Ichou-gata nomi—fishtail for half-blind dovetails.
Kanna (planes) take extremely fine shavings for glass-smooth surfaces. Add marking gauges (kebiki), squares (sashigane), and a marking knife. Maintain edges with camellia oil; store dry with sheaths. Start with a ryoba, 6mm and 12mm chisels, and a marking knife.