Description

During a recent trip to Japan we visited with Akio Uozumi, a third-generation plane blade maker in the Tsunesaburo family ? the best known and most respected plane makers in Japan. The family built a reputation on providing what customers want and need versus following the most traditional course. This dedication to the customer has resulted in their planes being embraced by a new generation of woodworkers in both Japan and the United States.

The family name is a combination of the word Tsune, meaning ?always,? and Saburo, the name of the original maker, Akio?s grandfather, Mr. Saburo Uozumi.

During our visit, Mr. Akio Uozumi identified some of his most popular planes and a couple of brand-new planes, all planes we thought you would like.

Mr. Akio Uozumi understands the challenges of the American market and that the key to having woodworkers embrace the Japanese kanna (hand planes) is to get one in their hands. Obstacles to this goal have been price and ease of sharpening ? but both have been removed with this line of haisu (high-speed steel) kanna. The blades can be sharpened with a high-speed grinder without having their temper affected. Blades for the 50mm and 55mm versions are housed at 40? in a Japanese White Oak body.