Iyoroi Blue Steel Umeki-Oire Nomi Cabinet Makers’ Chisels

The Iyoroi Blue Steel Umeki Oire Nomi Cabinet Makers’ chisels have an exceptional capacity for sharpness and edge retention. The blades are a hand forged lamination of blue steel and wrought iron, tempered to Rockwell C64 degrees.

“Blue-steel” or “Aogami-Hagane” is specially made by Hitachi Metal Co. and is a more complex steel than “Shiro-Gami” or “White-Steel.” Because it’s so difficult to forge and temper, only a few chisel makers have sufficient skill to successfully work with this material. The advantage is a tougher blade that takes the finest edge. The specific shape is a form of dovetail chisel or “Umeki-Oire” designed for Western cabinetry. The thin edges are perfect for dovetailing and fine joinery.

These chisels have hand forged hoops for hammering, so they can be used for general joinery. Except for the narrowest widths, which are simply tapered, the side edges of these chisels are narrower than even most Western chisels, so you can have total access to the joint. In recognition of the fact that these are for the highest quality of workmanship, even the narrow 1/2″ chisel has multiple hollows for greater control..

Blue-Steel #2 Laminated Edge, with hand forged, black hooped Boxwood Handle, Multiple scoops. The backs of the 3mm. to 9mm. sizes have a single hollow. The 12mm. to 18mm. sizes have two hollows. The 24mm. to 42mm. sizes have triple hollows. The overall length is 9 inches and the blade length is 2-1/4 inches.

We are hoping to get a full range soon. One step at a time!