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From: jimd@iddic.UUCP (Jim Delwiche)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: tool recommendations sought
Message-ID: <2033@iddic.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Jun-85 11:53:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: iddic.2033
Posted: Thu Jun 13 11:53:26 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Jun-85 06:28:45 EDT
References: <910@mhuxt.UUCP> <181@harvard.ARPA>
Reply-To: jimd@iddic.UUCP (Jim Delwiche)
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 19
Summary: 

[]

I was pleased to see a reference to Japanese woodworking tools, since I
am a great admirer of them, particularly the planes.  I have four of
them.  The toolmakers in Japan who make these laminated blades are
supposedly descended from Samurai swordmakers, and use the same basic
blacksmithing techniques.  These planes can be made amazingly sharp. My
smoothing plane can take off gauze like, almost transparent shavings.

My favorite source for these tools is Woodline, the Japan Woodworker, in
Alameda, CA.  They offer classes on use of Japanese tools, some of them
conducted by Jay van Arsdale, who apprenticed in Japan for some years.
They run a mail order business, but I try to stop by every time I'm in
the Bay Area, so I can take my pick of the litter.

I was astounded to find Japanese tools in the Sears Tool catalog,
although there is no mention in there that they are Japanese, or even
that the planes are designed to be pulled, rather than pushed!  The
description just says (imported) at the bottom.