Mukomachi-Nomi Japanese Hand Made Mortise Chisel By Masanaga - 15mm

Brand name: Masanaga(正長)

Smith name:  Unknown

Steel: Carbon steel

Blade width: 15mm

Blade thickness: Blade Bottom(about 16.30mm)， The blade near the bevel（about 14.10mm）

Manufacture Era: Before 1980

Weight: 288g

Blade Angles: 31°

Total length: 239mm

Neck length:  40mm

Blade length: 75mm

Types of wooden handles：Japanese White Oak（Shirakashi）

Accessories：—

Additional Information: Used condition, sourced from a retired carpenter in the Nagoya area. I have resharpened it, finishing both the bevel and the ura surface to #1000 grit. During the sharpening process, the steel responded very well, likely indicating Shirogami No. 2 (White Paper Steel #2).

Although the maker of this chisel is currently unknown, the craftsmanship has left a deep impression on me. The two sides and top of the blade have been hollowed out using a hand tool—the sen—ensuring that the chisel can be easily pulled out even when chopping deep mortises.

The hand-filed marks left on the neck also offer a glimpse into the blacksmith’s high level of skill.