Kanna time (its like hammer time but more Japanese)

 

Flat Bench - 2 vices, 2 bench stops,

Hand made chisels, saws, knives and mallets,

all good to go.

 

This all looks like I have done it before?

About an hour to get here - getting faster now.

 

 

I like using this saw.

Maybe it is because John and I made it together?!

 

I like this bit - fitting the Dai to the blade.

Making them a unique pair - only this blade will fit this Dai.

 

I now have a super size 'Oil wick' as per Jim Kingshott's books.

Used with Camellia Oil as a giant Abura Tsubo.

I saw Inomoto -San use something like this.

You quickly wipe the blade over the 'wick' tap in, tap out, pare etc.

 

Got a good tight fit just where it matters here.

 

I like this moment - just as the blade starts to show through,

there is a reassurance that the 2 have finally come together,

maybe a fine tool will result from the union?

Soon we will know, the time is near at hand.

I reckon I will have this done in about 3 hours...

 

What shall I make next?

 

Just realised this is my 200th Post!
I have narrowed down the next project to the following:

 

New Kanna for another Antique Blade

(make in Holm Oak and check weight against a Japanese Oak Dai?)

Use one of my own hardened steel BN stamped chip breakers or not?

Hex Hammer head...

Another Spokeshave...

Another Saw..

 

Umm I love this Oak currently so lets get to know it more..

Might do it the old fashioned way - no chip breaker.

Some Workbench Adjustments

Japanese Bench Stop.

Hey why not have one at both ends of the bench I thought?

Duhhh...

Just go for it and not worry too much...

 

 

Umm might just check my bench for flat - this time of year I usually do...

 

This is about half way through truing my bench.

Impossible without good straight edges -

perhaps Santa needs to get me a Metre Straight edge?...

Or a 1.8m long one...

Japanese Spokeshave Complete

OK all done now.

Quite pleased all in all, a great learning experience!

 

Got the mouth about right for the size.

 

 

Lovely straight shavings just flow out the mouth.

Just like a little Kanna with handles!

 

I cut the fit so perfect there is no gap around the blade,

even at the back where you often see some 'play'

Japanese Spokeshave takes Shape

 

I am going to keep this simple.

In fact I already think it has too many curves in it.

Already designing No. 3 + 4 as  I make this one.

The good news is it works lovely.

Cuts just like a mini Kanna with 2 handles.

Works even better on the Pull stroke - who would have thought?!

Grinding Mimi

Marking out the Mimi or ears.

Very important the cutting edge is fractionally smaller than the opening.

This prevents shavings clogging into the sides.

 

I followed Tsunesaburos original angles to correct the blade to my Dai.

Holm Oak Japanese Spokeshave

Right then lets learn some more about these then.

I won't be making the same mistakes again that is for sure!

I have also lowered the angle to about 42 degrees.

 

 

I suppose this is one of my favourite bits.

You can only produce an identically curve bed to fit the blade by hand.

So this is what makes it special - it is done by hand for one blade only.

 

We are at about an hours work here, which includes:

Marking out planing to size, marking out and cutting throat.

Paring back to lines, cutting and starting to fit blade.

 

So lets have a guess:

Another hour to fit the blade and a brass mouth

(yes I am going to brass it up real good - reckon it will go well with the Oak)

2 hours on shaping sanding, finishing and tweaking?

 

So 4-5 hours at a guess - I will let you know how close I am soon...

I have seen someone who spent 30 hours doing one of these...

But is only my second so I will get faster.

 

Please do not misunderstand me - I am not competing...

(I hear the flutter of raised eye brows)

Considering my finances, how could I compete eh?!

I use time as a measure, as that is what it is for.

If I launch into another Cabinet I will be busy for 30-50 hours.

I know that from a little experience.

I look at a carving - it will take me 20 or 60 hours etc.

The figures are relative to value if you want an income from it.

I do not, it is my hobby at present.

When I did the furniture degree we were taught to charge for

all design time as well as all the making time.

 

That is why I am into making tools lately - they are quick.

You can make a plane in under 2 hours, tools under an hour are good.

At school I do 'make and take' same lesson.

I need short little woodwork shots to keep me going,

the regular little kicks of completions.

I am busy, busy as a teacher and parent of 2 boys under 8.

 For example no workshop tonight...

Been marking GCSE Exams every night this week, finally finished.

At least phrases like 'turny thingy' lighten up the evenings!

Someone else drew a little ninja next to the Centre lathe on the paper...

Its 'misson' was to stop me giving a low grade apparently,

It didn't work - they got a big fat zero for that question.

But I have never had that one before!

 

Hey - thanks for coming over to my place.

Off to browse some Japanese tools now...