Hako-nomi Japanese Carving Chisel By Hidari Konobu - 24mm

Smith name: Saito Kazuyoshi (齊藤和芳, 1945~), the Third generation Konobu.

Steel: Blue Steel #2

Blade width: 24mm

Manufacture Era: Around 2010 (according to collector’s memory)

Blade Angles: 26°

Total length: 257mm

Handle length: 180mm

Length of visible metal part: 78mm

Types of wooden handles：Probably Japanese magnolia wood

Weight: 66g

Accessories：—

Additional Information: Unused, in brand new condition. 

The direct translation of 箱鑿(Hako-nomi) is box chisel, but it does not mean that this chisel is used to make boxes. The Hako-nomi gets its name from its shape, with its 90-degree rolled sides making it look like a box.

It is inevitable to encounter wood with reverse grain when carving. The rolled sides of this chisel make the job easier when carving against the grain of wood.

According to the description of the Hako-nomi on page 12 in this document - 「Interview with Kazuyoshi Saito - the third generation Konobu」. This type of carving chisel has a relatively recent history. The emergence of a new type of artist-carver, distinct from traditional carvers of Buddhist statues and wooden architectural components, gave rise to this chisel. Traditional woodcarvers use this chisel to quickly remove large amounts of wood in the early stages (or use the more traditional Uchimaru chisel). Artist-type woodcarvers value the unique carving marks left by this chisel on the surface of the wood and leave these marks on the surface of the work.