Working tool (6) - Japanese Oire Nomi

A curated set of six Japanese oire-nomi (追入鑿) bench
chisels, selected from a larger collection for their
consistent quality, complementary blade widths, and
well-preserved condition. While the handles share a
similar overall form and colour palette, subtle
variations in shape and proportion between individual
pieces are characteristic of Japanese professional
tool sets of this period.

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BLADE CONSTRUCTION — NI-MAI AWASE (二枚合わせ)
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Each blade is forged using the traditional laminated-
steel method: a hard hagane (高炭素鋼 / high-carbon
steel) cutting edge is forge-welded to a softer jigane
(地金 / mild steel) body. This construction — the same
philosophy underlying Japanese swords — allows the
edge to hold an acute, razor-sharp bevel while the
body absorbs shock without fracturing.

The blade surface retains its kurouchi (黒打ち) finish:
the original dark oxide layer formed during forging.
This is intentionally preserved by Japanese craftsmen
as a natural rust inhibitor and as a visual mark of
authentic hand-forged manufacture. It is not a defect.

The flat back of each blade shows a characteristic
ura-suki (裏透き / hollow-ground relief), which
minimises the contact surface when flattening and
allows a perfectly flat cutting edge to be achieved
efficiently on a whetstone.

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BLADE PROFILE — MENTORI (面取り)
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The blades feature a mentori (面取り / chamfered-side)
profile — the standard all-purpose geometry for bench
joinery, mortising, and paring work.

Note: the smallest chisel in the set has been ground
to a pronounced skew (approximately 45°), adapting it
for corner cleaning and sliding dovetail work. This is
a common field modification by Japanese craftsmen and
does not represent damage.

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HANDLES
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Handles are turned from hardwood with a warm amber
lacquer finish. Wood species has not been independently
verified; likely a domestic Japanese hardwood commonly
used in professional tool production of this period.

Each handle is fitted with:
- A kuchigane (口金 / forged-iron ferrule) at the blade
junction, preventing the wood from splitting under
tang pressure.
- A katsura (冠 / steel strike cap) at the butt end,
designed to absorb repeated blows from a genno
(玄能 / Japanese hammer) and spread the impact
evenly across the handle end grain.

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MEASUREMENTS (approximate, read from photos)
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Blade widths (largest to smallest):
23 mm / 14 mm / 12 mm / 8 mm / 9 mm / 9 mm*
(* skew-ground; stated as perpendicular blade width)

Overall length per chisel: [15-23cm]

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CONDITION
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Good overall. Blades retain their forge finish with
natural darkening consistent with age and storage.
Some light surface oxidation is visible on the
kurouchi face of certain blades; this is superficial
and expected for stored hand tools. Bevel edges are
intact with no chips or visible cracks across all six
chisels. Handles retain their finish with minor wear.
Strike caps show only light evidence of use. The skew
modification on the smallest chisel is cleanly
executed.

Please use the zoom function on all photos to assess
cosmetic condition before bidding.

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ITEM DETAILS
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Material: Laminated forged steel (hagane/jigane),hardwood
Country: Japan
Period: 20th–21st century (estimated)
Number of items: 6
Condition: Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Japan