Japanese Knives, Marking, Carving

[John Morris]

Folks, I would like to know what these knives primary purpose is. I received them from the estate of a woodcarver, among many other talents he had. They look a tad rusty at the knife portion but man the cutting edge is surgical sharp!

They are about 6" long and range from 1/2" to 1" wide, and about 1/8" thick. They all have makers marks or as I have learned with Japanese tools, the stamps could be philosophical musings. 

Any help identifying the actual use appreciated.

 

 

 

[kmealy]

They look like these marking knives and as the link notes should not be used for carving due to hardness (that I suppose implies brittleness) https://www.axminster.co.uk/japanese-kiridashi-marking-knife-ax19805

 

[John Morris]

I'd say you got it deadnuts Keith, thanks!!!

[John Morris]

On 5/11/2019 at 1:38 PM, kmealy said:

notes should not be used for carving due to hardness

Well that is so true I found out, while chopping mortises I used the tip of the marking knife I was using to lay them out, as a little probe to help dig out some tiny chunks of wood from the mortise, the tip broke, dang, now I have to regrind and re-shape!

[Gene Howe]

48 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Well that is so true I found out, while chopping mortises I used the tip of the marking knife I was using to lay them out, as a little probe to help dig out some tiny chunks of wood from the mortise, the tip broke, dang, now I have to regrind and re-shape!

Would dental picks be an option? 

[John Morris]

15 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Would dental picks be an option? 

Either that or my skill set just needs to improve at making good clean cuts that leverage out easily. Someday!

[Gene Howe]

Maybe cut your tenons a little short. 

[John Morris]

36 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Maybe cut your tenons a little short. 

That's a good idea in normal situations Gene, for square mortise and tenons etc, but the chair slats have a predetermined depth they must fit into, in order to give the rear chair legs a flared effect at the top, the mortises are chopped in graduated depths, normally though you are right, you could simply cut a hair off the tenon and call it good, but this is chair making man! We are special you know.

[Gene Howe]

Hope you know I was joshing ya. 

[HandyDan]

47 minutes ago, John Morris said:

but this is chair making man! We are special you know.

 

Should have just told him to "Sit On It".

 

 

[John Morris]

46 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Hope you know I was joshing ya. 

Of course! The smiley guy told me.