Saws The pull-cut saw is often the first Japanese tool a western woodworker tries - and frequently the one that convinces them to explore further. Thinner plates, finer kerfs and less effort than a push saw: the difference is immediate. We stock the full range of types, from versatile double-edged ryoba to fine joinery dozuki, with replacement blades available across most of the range.
Chisels (nomi) Japanese chisels use harder steel and a hollow-ground back that makes maintenance faster and more precise than most western equivalents. The Fujikawa range we stock covers bench, dovetail, paring and gouge patterns - tools built to last a lifetime with appropriate care. Sets offer significantly better value than buying individually, and we are happy to credit earlier purchases against one.
Planes (kanna) Japanese planes reward the learning curve with surfaces that are genuinely difficult to achieve any other way. We stock Tsunesaburo bench planes for those making the transition from western planes, and the Koyama specialist range for joinery and profiling work - shoulder planes, rebate planes, compass planes and more - for those ready to go further.
Sharpening Waterstones are the natural partner for Japanese steel, cutting fast and producing edges that are hard to match by other methods. We stock stones from Naniwa, King Ice Bear and Suehiro across a wide grit range, alongside Atoma diamond plates for flattening, and ready-made kits for those getting started.
Marking and measuring Shinwa are Japan's leading maker of precision layout tools, and we carry one of the most comprehensive Shinwa ranges in the UK. Try squares, sliding bevels, rules, vernier calipers, profile gauges, protractors, tape measures and more - whatever the layout task, there is almost certainly a Shinwa tool built specifically for it.
Drill bits Star-M make drill bits that solve real problems - clean entry and exit, reduced breakout, formats designed specifically for cordless drill use. The 601 precision bits and F-type auger bits are the core of the range, supported by other accessories for a complete workshop drilling setup.
Rasps and files Two makers worth knowing: Shinto saw rasps for fast, controllable stock removal that leaves a surprisingly clean finish, and Iwasaki hand-cut carving files for precise shaping work where detail matters. Between them they cover the full range of stock removal tasks from rough shaping through to surface refinement.
Knives Japanese knives for woodworking range from the classic Higonokami folding knife - made in Miki city for over a century and an excellent introduction to Japanese blade geometry - through to dedicated marking and carving blades. Single-bevel construction throughout, for edges that are straightforward to maintain once the principle is understood.
Hammers Japanese chisel handles are designed around the striking characteristics of a Japanese hammer - lighter and more precise than a western mallet. Using the right one matters. The Susa hammers we stock are made specifically for this purpose, and are the correct companion for the Fujikawa chisels.
Scissors and snips Handmade Japanese scissors and nigiri snips occupy a different world from general-purpose cutting tools. Tajika and Doukan scissors are made from shirogami white paper steel and priced honestly to reflect the skill involved. Misuzu and Nigiri snips offer the distinctive thumb-and-forefinger control that makes Japanese snips particularly valued for fine and detailed cutting work.
Green woodworking The same rigour that defines Japanese bench tools extends to field and forest work. The range covers Kanenori nata billhooks for splitting and chopping, the Gyokucho CAST folding saw range in multiple tooth configurations, pruning saws, anvil shears and a selection of Japanese axes - tools built to be used hard in demanding conditions.
Japanese steel For blade-makers and toolmakers, we stock Hitachi Yasuki steel billets in blue paper steel No.2 (Aogami 2) and white paper steel No.2 (Shirogami 2), in both solid and laminated form, alongside a Suminagashi damascus-style billet. The same steels used by Japan's finest tool makers, available in billet form for forging or stock removal.
