Carving knife, chisel set for woodblock/woodcut printing, mokuhanga, eraser stamp, seal engraving, noh-mask and buddha sculpture

945-32, Ishino, Bessho-cho, Miki-shi, Hyogo 673-0452 JAPAN

MICHIHAMONO

Michihamono > THE KNIFE-MAKING PROCESS

The knife-making process

The knife-making process

How blades for high-speed steel carving knives are made

1:Procured material (high-speed steel, cold rolled finishing material)
The thickness is made uniform using cold rolled steel.

2:Pressing out the external shape
The material is cut to each size.

3:Press bending
The material is pressed to add the curve.

4:Inner grinding
The inner edge is given a rough grind.

5:Rough exterior grinding 1
Both outer edges are given a rough surface grind.

6:Rough exterior grinding 2
The outside is ground to give it a smooth curve.

7:Heat treatment
Heat treatment is applied.

8:Inner polish
The inner edge is given a finishing polish.

9:Outer polish and rough sharpening
The blade is given a rough sharpening and the outer edge is given a finishing polish.

10:Finishing blade sharpening
The blade is given the finishing sharpening.

11:Finishing buff and application of rust-proof varnish
Rust-proof varnish is applied after the finishing buff of the blade to complete the work.

How cherry wood handles for high-speed steel carving knives are made

1:Raw woodblock

2:Cutting
An appropriately-sized piece is cut from the wood.

3:Splitting
The piece is split in two for sandwiching the blade. Each piece is numbered the same for identification.

4:Boring
A hole is drilled for sandwiching the blade.

5:Gluing
The two pieces with the same number from step 3 are fixed together and the wood grains are painstakingly aligned.

6:External oblong shaving
The exterior is shaved down to an oblong profile to prevent rolling when laid down.

7:Detailed carving of the blade fitting
The blade fitting part of the handle (that holds the actual knife in place) is carved in detail.

8:Buffing
The exterior of the handle is buffed.

9:End work
The end of the handle is worked.

10:Waxing
Wax is applied and polished to give the handle shine.

11:Attachment
The blade is attached to complete the work.