Ryoba Noko Japanese Both Sided Hand Saw by Oba Shoichiro Ⅰ - 240mm

Smith name: Oba Shoichiro Ⅰ (初代大場正一郎，January 10, 1899～？)

Steel: Carbon Steel

Cutting edge length: 240mm

Total length: 502mm 

Blade thickness: about 0.5mm

Blade width: 80~100mm

Weight: 122g

Manufacture Era: Before 1970

Accessories: Handle (not installed)

Additional Information: Unused, in brand new condition. From a collector in the Tokyo area. The blade has been “Metate” and adjusted by Oba Shoichiro and is ready for use.

Although the collector emphasized that it was a piece from the first generation of Oba Shoichiro, I remained skeptical. Because the second-generation Oba saw-making skill is almost on par with the first generation, but he couldn't engrave marks on the saw. For this reason, the mark on the saw made by the second-generation Oba was engraved by the first generation. After the first generation of OBA was unable to work and was hospitalized, the third generation of Oba had to go to the hospital to ask his grandfather for advice and learn how to carve marks. This makes it difficult to distinguish between the first and second generation works based on the mark.

To find out the truth, I took the saw to Mr. Tsuchida Noboru. After careful examination, he determined that the saw was made by a first-generation blacksmith. The content above was also shared by Mr. Tsuchida Noboru.

The Oba Shoichiro brand has been passed down through three generations: the second was his son(Oba Masahiro/大場政弘), and the third his grandson (Oba Masaaki/大場正哲). The smith shop opened in 1920 and closed in 2001.