Are japanese chisels so much better than their Western cousins?  They cost a lot more. The process by which they're made seems more involved, exacting. And there's quite a bit of hype.

Who makes the best Japanese chisels? What does "best" mean, anyway? At that level, are there any "bad" chisels? And on and on.

I don't know. I do use them. The ones I have are from some very respected makers. Tasai, Funahiro, Imai . They're beautifully balanced and they hold an edge extremely well.  They're all very, very good chisels.

But I'm not sensitive, or knowing, enough to perceive a great difference between them.

They all, however, reflect an admirable committment to craft and that's worth a lot. That should be supported, one way or another.

I guess I'll keep using them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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