Japanese Hand Planes by Yamamoto-san – Precision Woodworking Tools Made in Japan
Experience the art of smooth, flawless surfaces with our collection of Japanese hand planes by Yamamoto-san, expertly made in Japan for woodworkers who value precision, control, and craftsmanship. Known for their sharp, durable blades and perfectly balanced wooden bodies, these planes are essential for fine woodworking, furniture making, and traditional joinery.
Each Yamamoto-san hand plane features a high-quality laminated steel blade that maintains a razor-sharp edge and can be easily honed for long-lasting performance. The carefully crafted wooden body provides stability, comfort, and a responsive feel, allowing for ultra-thin shavings and perfectly smooth surfaces with every pass. These planes are ideal for cabinet making, timber finishing, and professional woodworking projects where precision matters most.
Combining traditional Japanese techniques with modern quality standards, Yamamoto-san hand planes offer reliable performance, exceptional accuracy, and longevity. Whether for professional craftsmen or dedicated hobbyists, these planes deliver results that reflect the heritage and excellence of Japanese woodworking.
Upgrade your workshop with authentic Japanese hand planes by Yamamoto-san—where craftsmanship, precision, and performance meet for tools that elevate every project.
64mm Hikoroku Kanna by Yamamoto-san
64mm Hikoroku Kanna by Yamamoto-san
The Hikoroku range of kanna by Yamamoto-san are beautifully forged with Aogami #1 edges and beautifully selected blocks. We are long-time admirers of Yamamoto-san's work, and the Hikoroku kanna have enhanced our opinion even further.
It is important to note that the Hikoroku planes are made with the same expertise, care and cutting edge material as Yamamoto-san's Tesshinsai range. The main difference between the two is that the Hikoroku kanna do not have a tsutsumi. This means that bedding the blade during the tuning process is simplified, and the amount of conditioning needed to be carried out on the sole is also reduced.
For those looking for a large smoothing kanna that will allow them to build their confidence in tuning Japanese planes, we think the Hikoroku models are a fantastic option.
My first Kanna. I went into this very prepared having watched all of the JTools videos and read the likes of Odate. Yamamoto-san has an excellent reputation and many in the US recommend him for a first kanna. This kanna was a LOT of work to setup. The blade took me several hours to flatten and get the bevel right. One of the corners was much lower than the others. Fitting the blade then took a lot of work too. The chip breaker was pretty funky. I had to stop and start at it, there were times when I considered quitting and selling it. It has taken weeks of work (here and there as I get time) to get it setup. Buying the likes of Lie Nielsen is so easy. You buy it, sharpen it for 5 minutes and you are off. With that said I now have it 'mostly' setup and am starting to enjoy some of the results. The blade cuts beautifully. It is unlike any other plane I own. Now i have the bevel setup properly I can sharpen it in a minute or two and be back to planning achieving a stunning finish. It trims end grain with ease. I have just finished planning some blackwood and the finish is something else. Would I buy it again. Definitely. There is still much more work to do setting it up but its my plane now. I have invested a lot of blood, sweat and (nearly) tears into it. Incredibly time consuming, often frustrating, but at the end of the journey it is immensely rewarding to see your results.
