Ootsuki-Nomi Japanese Hand Made Slick Chisel - 53mm・Meiji period

Brand name: Illegible

Smith name: Unknown

Steel: Tamahagane

Jigane(Iron part of the blade): Watetsu

Blade width: 53mm

Blade thickness: Blade Bottom(about 10.40mm)， The blade near the bevel(about 6.90mm)

Manufacture Era: Meiji period

Weight: 666g

Blade Angles: 24°

Total length: 590mm

Neck length: 130mm

Blade length:65mm

Types of wooden handles：Japanese White Oak(Shirakashi)

Accessories：—

Additional Information: This chisel is pre-owned but remains in good condition. It comes from a retired carpenter in the Tokyo area—the very same original owner of that "Tsuki-Ichihiro" (月市弘) chisel set. To showcase the iconic grain of its watetsu, I sharpened the bevel using a natural Uchiumori whetstone, while the ura has been sharpened up to 5,000 grit. During the sharpening process, the jigane (soft iron) proved to be remarkably soft, and the tamahagane steel is of exceptional quality. The original length of the blade can be deduced from the length of its wooden sheath (saya), proving it has been meticulously cared for over many years.

Deeply impressed by both the craftsmanship and the materials used in this chisel, I brought it to Mr. Tsuchida for his insight. He confirmed that it is indeed a superbly crafted tool. Although the blacksmith's mark is illegible, he deduced from its distinct features—specifically the narrower bevels on the sides of the blade—that it was made by a blacksmith from the Kansai or Nagoya region. The fact that a Kansai-made chisel made its way into the Kanto region, which was already teeming with master blacksmiths at the time, and became a cherished, heavily used tool by a local carpenter, further underscores that the blacksmith who forged this piece was no ordinary smith.