This is the Anaya chisel, a pattern developed by Japan's anaya, the specialized craftsmen whose entire trade was cutting mortises. When one joint is your livelihood, the tool evolves to match, and this design shows it. Each one is handcrafted for us by Fujikawa in Miki City, Hyogo. The blade is white steel construction: hard shirogami (white paper steel) laminated to soft jigane backing, which takes an exceptionally keen edge from your stones and holds it. The hollow-ground back makes flattening and sharpening faster, a detail Western chisels skip.
At 18 in overall with a long 9-1/2-in neck, the angled blade pares flat on tenons, mortises, and end grain, so it doubles as a slick when you need one. A concealed tang socket grips the handle, and the rounded metal ring protects it through heavy mallet work. Pat Hennin, our founder and a timber framer of 50 years, has endorsed this chisel for years with one rule: never pry with it. The steel is hard enough to chip, which is why we do not recommend it for beginners or heavy hands. The ferrule may need a tap to seat before first use.
Specifications:
- Options: 24 mm (31/32 in); 36 mm (1-3/8 in); 48 mm (1-7/8 in)
- Overall length: 18 in
- Blade length: 3-1/2 in
- Neck: 9-1/2 in
- Handle: 5 in, concealed tang socket, rounded metal striking ring
- Steel: shirogami white paper steel laminated to jigane, hollow-ground back
- Use: never pry; not recommended for beginners; ferrule may need seating
- Made in: Miki City, Hyogo, Japan by Fujikawa
