Replies

1. 
   lostarrow | Jul 20, 2003 04:01pm | #1

   Timber-

   I have two blue steel chisels from Japan woodworker , a 1/4" and a 1/2", that are trianglar in cross section. When I bought them they were called dovetail chisels. I suppose that you can use them for other tasks, but I believe that they were designed to cut dovetails. The trianglar section makes it easier to cut the pin sockets without damaging the shoulders of the tails. Thats the only thing that I use them for and they work just fine.

   Be not afraid of going slowly.  Be afraid only of standing still.   chinese proverb
2. 
   sailalex | Jul 20, 2003 09:01pm | #2

   I would suggest calling Japan Woodworker and talking to their staff about the chisels. I have had occasion to do that and find them very courteous and willing to help, particularly when you tell them you want to make a purchase .

3. 
   VaTom | Jul 20, 2003 10:02pm | #3

   My set of Japanese chisels is the standard variety, medium price- not famous maker when I bought them 18 yrs ago.  Fantastic!  I bought 2 sizes of the triangular ones just for close work, rarely necessary for the pieces I make.  My decision was correct for me, and I think most.

4. 
   NormInFujino | Jul 21, 2003 11:15am | #4

   I don't think the cross section is a triangle, unless it's a very tiny chisel we're talking about. It should be something more like an isosceles trapezoid (except mine all have a bit of raised side, making them hexagons). In any case, the others were correct in saying they're designed to allow cutting dovetails and other close inside angles.

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   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

1. 
   lostarrow | Jul 21, 2003 03:45pm | #5

   Norm-

   I have to disagree with you. It's been about 58 years since I took high school geometery, but I do remember what a triangle looks like. What you illustrated is a western style bevel edge chisel. The bevel edge does help in cleaning out the corners of DT's, but you can't drive the chisel straight down into the angle of the dovetail without danger of bruising the shoulder of the tail,especially if your cutting in softwood. I measured the angles on the two I have. The 1/4'' is ground at a 30 deg to the base ,the 1/2" is ground at 35 deg. to the base, forming an isosceles triangle. At the very most, the acute angles have a flat of no more than 1/32". I checked the Japan Woodworkers catalog and they are illustrated and listed as dovetail chisels.Be not afraid of going slowly.  Be afraid only of standing still.   chinese proverb

1. 
   NormInFujino | Jul 21, 2003 05:00pm | #6

   What you illustrated is a western style bevel edge chisel

   I guess I'll have to check out the Japan woodworker catalog, but my illustration was based on the majority (6?) of the Japanese chisels I have (10?). I do have some that have a square/rectangular profile, without any bevel at all on the sides, but most are of the "hexagon" shape I illustrated. ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

2. 
   NormInFujino | Jul 21, 2003 05:15pm | #7

   I just checked the catalog and you're absolutely right; they're triangular cross sectioned. I honestly didn't realize they made them that wide. But then again--ironically--most of the Japanese chisels I see in Tokyo aren't the high-end models that Japan Woodworker advertises for users outside of Japan. Goes to show you.

   (The page concerned is at:

   http://www.thejapanwoodworkercatalog.com/c/g8/p/033f.html)

     --Thanks for the heads up.

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

   Edited 7/21/2003 10:16:49 AM ET by Norm in Fujino

1. 
   lostarrow | Jul 21, 2003 06:30pm | #8

   Those square/rectanglar chisels are mortise chisels.

   I take it from your message that you're in Japan. Is that right? Have you ever been up to Hokkaido? Back in '51, I spent 8 months on Hokkaido. Beautiful country up there. Got to see a lot of it, curtsey of Uncle Sam. I always wanted to go back,but don't guess I'll ever make it.Be not afraid of going slowly.  Be afraid only of standing still.   chinese proverb

1. 
   Timberwerks | Jul 21, 2003 07:49pm | #9

   Thanks for your replies guys. I think it is also great to hear from people in other parts of the world. And to hear of others travel. So far I have not been out of Wisconsin, but my wife and I hope to do some traveling soon.

   Take Care

   Dale

2. 
   NormInFujino | Jul 22, 2003 01:59am | #10

   I spent 8 months on Hokkaido. Beautiful country up there.

   I've only been to Hokkaido once; I spent about a week driving through it about a decade ago after an academic conference in Sapporo. Beautiful country in October, some of the most magnificently racked bucks I ever saw came out on the road at evening in Shiretoko National Park.

    For the last 25 years I've lived in and around Tokyo; ten years ago we built a house in the mountains about an hour west of the center of the city.

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township