Japanese Carving Knives & Chisels by Michihamono – Traditional Craftsmanship, Razor-Sharp Precision
Explore our collection of Japanese carving knives and chisels by Michihamono, expertly made in Japan using time-honored blacksmithing techniques. Renowned for their exceptional sharpness, balance, and edge retention, Michihamono tools are trusted by professional woodworkers, sculptors, and craftsmen who demand absolute precision.
Forged from high-quality Japanese steel, Michihamono carving knives and chisels deliver clean, controlled cuts across a wide range of materials, from fine detail carving to structural woodworking. Each tool reflects generations of Japanese craftsmanship, combining hand-forged blades with carefully shaped wooden handles for comfort, accuracy, and long working sessions.
Designed for wood carving, joinery, sculpture, and traditional Japanese woodworking, these tools offer outstanding control and durability. The blades sharpen easily, hold a keen edge, and improve with age—making them a long-term investment for both professionals and dedicated enthusiasts.
Elevate your craft with authentic Japanese carving knives and chisels by Michihamono, where heritage, performance, and precision come together in tools built to last a lifetime.
18mm HSS Bowl and Spoon Gouge
18mm HSS Bowl and Spoon Gouge
Designed to aid makers of Noh masks, an extremely demanding traditional carving craft, his 18mm curved gouge is designed for excavating across and with the grain while leaving an exceptionally clean surface. It's HSS blade is of exceptional quality, able to be resharpened and capable of taking an edge for an exceptionally long time. The long timber handle provides ample space for hands of all sizes to manipulate the tool with control.
Spoon carvers, vessel makers and whittlers will enjoy it's great cut quality and ease of use. To sharpen, we recommend touching up the outside bevel only, and leaving the interior. This tool can be honed with strops or buffing wheels. For those without those resources, we recommend cutting into some scrap wood to match the profile of the blade, and adding slurry from a medium waterstone (we find the #1000 Cerax works really well). By running the bevel across the matching profile impregnated with sharpening compound, an excellent edge and finish is able to be achieved.
This tool ships with the blade dipped in protective lacquer. We recommend removing the lacquer with methylated spirits or other solvents, but please note that anti-rust care measures should be observed.
This is my first time carving and using a gouge. It was awkward at first but once I figured it out it was perfect! Creates beautiful curves.
The gouge is a real joy to work with, complements other carving tools to achieve great results and also great to use on its own if it's the only gouge you have for spoons and bowls. Highly recommend picking one of these up.
The gouge has been amazing and the service terrific. One of the best sites to buy beautiful tools for creative work.
Fantastic tool that is beautifully made and is sharp from the retailer. The long handle provides both good grip and good leverage for a scooping motion when carving bowls. Hand carving is a demanding past time but a well made tool definitely helps and I have no regrets about buying this gouge
This is my first time carving and using a gouge. It was awkward at first but once I figured it out it was perfect! Creates beautiful curves.
The gouge is a real joy to work with, complements other carving tools to achieve great results and also great to use on its own if it's the only gouge you have for spoons and bowls. Highly recommend picking one of these up.
The gouge has been amazing and the service terrific. One of the best sites to buy beautiful tools for creative work.
Fantastic tool that is beautifully made and is sharp from the retailer. The long handle provides both good grip and good leverage for a scooping motion when carving bowls. Hand carving is a demanding past time but a well made tool definitely helps and I have no regrets about buying this gouge