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Tasai Japanese Cabinetmaker's Chisels

Mr. Tasai is one of the most reknown blacksmiths still making chisels by hand in Japan, and is perhaps the most famous of the great masters in the United States. It is an honor to us to be able to offer his work. Like the chisels of his counterpart, Mr. Ikeda, which we are also priviledged to offer, we do not believe that it would be possible to make better chisels than these. Interestingly, Mr. Ikeda choses to work in "white steel" and Mr. Tasai uses "Blue Steel". Neither can be said to be a better choice, it is a personal preference. Some will tell you that "Blue Steel" has slightly better edge retention, but is harder to sharpen. We find both of these maker's chisels hold an edge so well compared to the European chisels that we offer, that it hardly matters if there is any difference between the steels.