Kiyohisa

Watanabe Kiyoei is a very gentle person who looks more like a University professor. His tools are as gentle looking and very handsome as the creator himself. Very fluid in the line around the neck, and the back hollow meticulously crafted. Kiyohisa specializes in White Steel #1, the toughest Japanese steel to forge. WS#1's range of temperature when hardening is only about 5 degrees. You go above or below and the hardness will dramatically decrease. You could say Kiyohisa is the next generation Hidari Ichihiro. They are similar in many aspects. The steel, the fineness of the finish, and overall aura you feel from his tools. Since his tools are very reasonably priced, there are many users who orders his tools repeatedly, thus there is a bit of a long waiting list, half year to one year. He is a quite talented calligrapher as well, so you can have your box signed and stamped by Watanabe-san himself. His tools will be more expensive as his name spreads. Definitely one of my most recommended White Steel #1 chisel brand.

Kiyohisa tools can be ordered by the piece as well. Bench, timber, slick, crank neck, kiridashi, etc. He basically makes everything but saws and hammer heads.

The handle material is rare Japanese mountain cherry blossom, which Watanabe-san gave me when I visted him as a gift. When I told him I attach handles myself from time to time, he went to his garage and cut a piece out of his dried stocks and came back with this. I've attached it to Kiyohisa 8bu (24mm) tsuki-nomi I got from Watanabe-san.

It is hard to believe that the steel is made of old stock White Steel #1. When I sharpened it, it felt like White Steel #2. It was very easy to sharpen, yet the edge get's so sharp.

I've used this slick to make the socket of a dai (plane block) with Jarrah. Jarrah seem to have lots of silica like particles which dulls the blade quite badly, but this slick kept its cutting edge quite well. I rounded the tip a bit to make it durable, but still other chisels I have didn't last as long.

I would have to say, Kiyohisa chisels have now become the best quality wise in Japan. At least one of the best. The tang of the chisel where it will be hidden in the handle, is also meticulously made. This is the kind of attitude seen in Ichihiro chisels as well. When I told Kiyohisa-san, his tang is very well made, he said with humility, "Ichihiro's tang was much better, but I could never do that...."

Anyway, Watanabe-san makes great chisels. Do try them once if you get the chance.

From AU$100 (3mm) ~ AU$160 (30mm) ~ AU$330 (60mm)

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Dovetail making chisels (Bachi nomi) in Gumi handle. Can be ordered with and without the strike hoop.