Ootsuki-Nomi Japanese Hand Made Slick Chisel - 42mm・Meiji period

Smith name: Unknown

Steel: Carbon Steel(might be tamahagane)

Jigane(Iron part of the blade): might be watetsu

Blade width: 42mm

Blade thickness: Blade Bottom(about 9.70mm)，The blade near the bevel（about 6.60mm）

Manufacture Era: Meiji period

Weight: 428g

Blade Angles: 24°

Total length: 450mm

Neck length: 96mm

Blade length: 68mm

Types of wooden handles：Rose wood

Accessories：-

Additional Information: This vintage chisel comes from the descendants of a Miya-daiku (a shrine and temple carpenter) in the Kanto region. I have restored and resharpened it: the bevel is finished on a fine natural whetstone, and the ura (back) has been polished to a 5,000-grit level. The soft iron backing is less rigid than what is typically found on modern tools; this indicates it could be a subtle-grained Watetsu (traditional Japanese iron) or perhaps soft iron imported from Europe during the Meiji period. When sharpening, the steel behaves differently from modern carbon steel—it has a distinct stickiness, suggesting it is highly likely Tamahagane. Despite some rust pitting on the ura, the tool retains ample life for continued use.

Regarding its era, I consulted Mr. Tsuchida, who informed me that this is a textbook example of a fully hand-forged chisel from the mid-to-late Meiji period. Although the maker remains unidentified, it is an nice-crafted piece.

Please be aware that if you plan to put this chisel to work, you will still need to spend some time sharpening it first.