Learn The Mystery of Japanese Wood Carving Knife

Wood carvings are some of the beauty decors we acquire. Some of us have put these carvings in our houses and offices. Nowadays, some sports have even adopted the initiative of awarding lucrative wood carvings as trophies. These wood carvings try to promote the culture of the involved sport. It is also a sign of appreciating the artwork done by the woodcarvers. 

These wood carvings cannot gain fame and shape if they are not carved perfectly. There are tools required to make sure that the carving gets its desired shape and appearance. One of the tools needed for this task is the wood carving knife - not just a knife but a Japanese wood carving knife. Famously known as “Kogotana” it has proved its worth in the carver’s hands. We will discuss some of the key features that make this knife exceptional from other carving knives.

The knife has a forge-welded steel cutting edge. This is because the carver needs a strong woodcutting edge of the knife. The cutting edge is then welded to a two-layer soft and tough iron handle. This gives the advantage of lessening the snapping of the hard but brittle steel because of the embedded soft iron. The hard steel is made such that it is a single bevel. This reduces the time you need to sharpen it flat. Some carving knives are fitted into Japanese oak as their handle. The oak is made soft and smooth forthe comfortability of the user while working

What are the features that distinguish Japanese wood carving knife from other knives?

The carving knife has very cool features that make even woodcarvers and carpenters want to acquire this knife. Take your time to read about the key features that distinguish it from the rest are discussed

Razor-sharp cutting edge

The steel that is used to make its cutting edge is curved to form a single bevel. This bevel is sharpened well and it super sharp to cut through any type of wood. This feature gives Japanese carving knives a boost in cutting and shaping wood. You have to be careful while using it since it might cut you if you miss your target

Durability

The soft and tough iron that is used in creating its handles makes it last longer. The stainless and carbon steel used in on the cutting edge also lasts long. It does not require frequent sharpening hence making it even more durable.

Handling

It’s comfortable to handle in any position. The Japanese oak and the soft iron make the knife’s handles. They are made soft to avoid any blisters when working.

Different profiles

The carving knives come in 5 different profiles. These profiles are meant for various tasks and carvers. It gives you a choice to select your best profile.

General-purpose property

The carving knives are designed to serve all types of tasks. From chipping to marking and cutting, the knives suit it all. This general-purpose property has made it common among woodcarvers and carpenters. Also, campers have decided to use them at some point more so when setting up their camp.

Rust resistance property

As the name stainless steel suggests, the cutting edge does not gather any rust. It was designed this way because woodcarvers come into contact with different fluids while working. This rust resistance property makes the knife last longer.

Which are the few Japanese wood carving knives

  • Hiro pattern 7 carving knife. These knives come in a set of 7 different sizes and shapes to help accommodate every task that you may have
  • Hiro pattern 9 carving knife. These knives come in a full set of 9 different profiles. This is for easy tackling of those hectic wood carvings
  • Curved Japanese carving knife. It has a curved cutting edge. The edge is designed in this manner to slide on the surface if you do not require deep carvings
  • Stab Japanese carving knife. The base of its cutting edge is wide and narrows to the top of the bevel. It is also a one-sided cutting edge like other knives. 
  • Convex Japanese carving knife. The edge is in a convex shape, and it is a one-sided cutting edge. It's best for deep wood carvings. 
  • Skew Japanese carving knife. The cutting-edge narrows to the top of the bevel, making it suitable for shaping the carvings. 

The list of Japanese wood carving knives is only but a selection of the best knives in the market. There are other brands and qualities of the same, so you are not restricted to this list. The list is only an eye-opener of what you expect.

Pros

  • The Japanese wood carving knife is long-lasting due to the materials used in its design
  • It is super sharp for easy cutting and shaping of the wood
  • It is easy to handle since it has a smooth and soft handle to avoid blisters
  • It serves different purposes in wood carving. Hence, it’s a general-purpose knife

Cons

  • It is not suitable for first-time users since it may cause accidents due to its sharpness

Conclusion

It may seem easy to identify the best knife, but you may be wrong. As we all know man is to err, it is advisable to get some advice on the right knife to purchase. This will save you time and also disappointments.

As we have seen the various features of the Japanese wood carving knife, you need to have one of these knives if you wish to curve some wood for leisure. For the professionals, you cannot miss such an essential tool in your workshop. We recommend the Japanese wood carving knife since we have proved it fit for use in wood carving. This is a recommendation pulled from our field research.

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