Folks, I inherited this wonderful set of Japanese chisels a few years back from a deceased old woodworker, a WWII and Korean War veteran James Ecklar, who was a friend of our lifetime friends. I was fortunate to inherit many of his tools including the old workbench you see in many of my images.

So, these hoops are either falling off, or are loose. Do you have any suggestions how to tighten them back onto the handles?

I imagine thru continued use, the top wood would mushroom out a bit and tighten up. Maybe some thick CA in the meantime??

Wish I had those. Anyways..

Setting Japanese chisel hoops (katsura) involves removing the hoop, filing its inside edge to a radius, then seating it 1–3 mm below the handle top by compressing the wood fibers. I use a hex socket that fits over the wood but sits on the hoop edge allowing you to drive the hoop down tight. Finally, the handle is soaked on the hooped end and the wood is mushroom peened over the hoop with a gennou hammer to lock it in place. This allows the hoop to take hammer blows and prevent splitting. Does this help?

Thanks guys!

Have you actually used those chisels? Have you tried sharpening them yet?

Just now, MrRick said:

Have you actually used those chisels? Have you tried sharpening them yet?

I used them a few times Rick, they are very sharp already by the gent who owned them before me, so I haven't had to sharpen one yet. And they are a joy to use 😊

Dang! Are they recessed or hollowed on the bottom? Ya gotta be careful when sharpening not to wear down to the hollow.

Actually I'm using them now for my dovetails.

Just now, MrRick said:

Dang! Are they recessed or hollowed on the bottom? Ya gotta be careful when sharpening not to wear down to the hollow.

They are indeed hollow.

Just beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. Something to be cherished for sure!

1 minute ago, MrRick said:

Just beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. Something to be cherished for sure!

They are Rick, I have a few tools from the gent before me, I'll see if I can find a post about my experience with the family. They were really generous and excited to pass many of his tools on to me.

Looks like I found one.

Well this is interesting. I can do the same thing by banging to top with a hammer around the edges as you gents suggested, but there is actually a tool for this.

WNWoodworks

Chisel Ring Setter

Weight 1.1 lbs Dimensions 2 x 2 x 2 in

What if??? You soaked the ends in some type of oil to swell the wood fibers. I have no experience doing this so maybe experiment with one of them.

1 hour ago, John Morris said:

Well this is interesting. I can do the same thing by banging to top with a hammer around the edges as you gents suggested, but there is actually a tool for this.

I'm sorry I didn't mention it John. I knew this. But a hex socket works just as well and even better. Save your money for something else.

9 hours ago, MrRick said:

I'm sorry I didn't mention it John. I knew this. But a hex socket works just as well and even better. Save your money for something else.

Ya I had no intention to purchase, I just thought it curious.

I'm not a gadget or jiggy guy, quite the opposite.

Jigs have their place. Repeatability, accuracy, mass production to name a few. I don't make many jigs but when I do they are often repurposed.

9 minutes ago, MrRick said:

Jigs have their place. Repeatability, accuracy, mass production to name a few. I don't make many jigs but when I do they are often repurposed.

As a whole I feel craft woodworkers have over jiggified their work, to the point that jigs over take natural skills, they are relied on too heavily, in a few shops I've seen, just my arrogant judgment for the day. 😁

I absolutely agree! Like I said... jigs have their place. I'm pretty much a hand tools person. It's just me but IMO I feel a person is more in tuned with the skill and joy of woodworking using hand tools.