Professional Japanese Timber Framing Chisel

Chu tataki are light Japanese timber framing chisels. They are heftier than oire (bench) chisels, lighter than full tataki or usu nomi, and built to be struck. "Tataki" literally means "to beat"; they're made to take mallet blows for mortising and heavy joinery.

I carry Fujikawa's Yasaku line in white steel, which strikes a balance between price and performance. These tools can produce a hard, keen edge that's straightforward to sharpen. Six sizes from 3 mm to 48 mm; other sizes by special order.

These come set up for striking, but the bevel can be lowered for paring. The 48 mm is wide enough for real slick-style paring once reground.

Use them for: timber-frame joinery, large mortises, chopping waste - anywhere you'd reach for a striking chisel over a bench chisel.

• Maker: Fujikawa (Yasaku line)
• Steel: White (shirogami) — hard, takes a fine edge
• Type: Chu tataki (medium striking chisel)
• Sizes: 3, 9, 15, 24, 36, 48 mm