Japanese Chisel Tataki Nomi

Made by a Japanese master blacksmith, exclusively for Rutlands®, these Japanese Tataki Nomi chisels (Nomi means chisel in Japanese) feature double-layered, ultra sharp blades with outstanding edge life.

A soft iron body is forge welded to a thinner layer of extremely hard, Rc 62-63, carbon tool steel. This double-layer prevents brittle fractures, unlike single layer Western chisels, that become brittle when hardened to extreme temperatures. The backs of the blades are hollow ground to reduce the contact surface, reducing friction and lowering the necessary cutting force. The angle of the blade to the tang increases the cutting depth to almost twice the blade length.

A conical steel ferrule which transfers the impact to the blade, sits seamlessly between the blade and the handle to protect the handle against fracture when repeatedly hit with a hammer. The steel ferrule on the butt end of the handle should be driven down prior to use so that the hammer only makes direct contact with the Japanese red oak handle. The wood above the ferrule will eventually spread over the top of it to protect both the hammer and the reinforcing ring.

Masters of their craft, which would take an apprentice approximately 10-15 years to learn, these Japanese blacksmiths produce chisels that are unparalleled in performance even by chisels made using today's state of the art technology. Available individually in 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, 24mm, 30mm, 36mm, and 42mm these are quite exceptional chisels. ©