5/8″ White Steel Bench Chisel – Matsumura

5/8″ White Steel Bench Chisel – Matsumura

Incl. VAT

SKU: WC-156256 Category: Japanese Tools

Description

Each chisel is handcrafted from the finest quality white steel forge-welded to wrought iron using traditional coal as the heat source and then tempered to Rc64, sharpened to a razor edge and fitted with a hand turned, double hooped Akagashi (Japanese Red Oak) handle. Overall length is 9″ with a blade length of 2-1/4″.

The Matsumura Family has been producing woodworking chisels for well over 200 years. Mr. Shigezo Matsumura began his apprenticeship at the age of 15 and exhibited such skill that by the age of 25 he was able to open his own workshop. For over 60 years, first as an apprentice and now as a true Master of Blacksmiths, Mr. Matsumura has made chisels one at a time in the old tradition, preferring to use charcoal instead of gas in the forging and tempering process, because of its ‘sof heat,’ and only the finest white and blue steels for the cutting edges, which are laminated to wrought iron for strength. All cutting edges are tempered to Rc64 and sharpened for immediate use. Note: Mr. Matsumura operates a one-man shop and personally makes each tool, with occasional assist from his wife.