Tosa-Oobatsuri Japanese Broad Axes - 218mm

Brand name: Unknown

Smith name: Unknown, but it is confirmed to be from a blacksmith in the Tosa region (Kochi Prefecture)

Steel: Carbon Steel

Jigane: Kamaji

Blade width: 218mm

Blade length: 310mm

Full length: 978mm

Manufacture Era: Estimated pre-1950

Total Weight: 3248g

Accessories: -

Additional Information: This is a used item in good overall condition. It is a large, single-bevel axe from the Tosa region, locally known as an "Oobatsuri." This one the cut face of the wood remains on the left side of your body during operation.

I have already sharpened it, bringing both the main bevel and the ura (flat side) to a 1000-grit finish. Further honing from this stage will quickly yield a work-ready edge. During the sharpening process, I noticed that the steel quality of this large axe is quite good, though noticeably harder than most axes of this type I have sharpened in the past. Additionally, the crack on the bevel is not a forge-welding defect, but a fissure within the soft iron backing itself, which does not affect its performance or structural integrity.

Judging by its cross-sectional edge profile, it is designed for fine, precise shaving of timber that has already been rough-planed using a double-bevel axe or chouna (adze), creating a much smoother finished surface. With this specialized application in mind, the slightly harder steel makes complete sense. There are virtually no visible machining marks on the entire tool, making it highly probable that it was handcrafted by a master blacksmith in Tosa specializing in large axes of this kind.