Michihamono is a small maker of carving knives and chisels in Miki City, Hyōgo, Japan's traditional home of blacksmithing and hardware. The company began as a subcontractor making sickles and gradually turned its skills to carving tools, which are now its speciality.
Michihamono tools are used for an unusually wide range of crafts: carving Buddhist statues and Noh masks, Kamakura-bori lacquerware, woodblock printing, seal engraving and even eraser-stamp carving. Its high-speed steel blades are heat-treated by specialist firms, and each tool passes through several craftsmen in turn, from shaping and grinding the blade to fitting the handle and final inspection.
Alongside its carving tools, Michihamono makes the Hiyokko range of sickles and runs CARVY, an antenna shop in Tokyo. Its tools suit both beginners and professional carvers.
Aisuki Flat Carving Knife
Aisuki Flat Carving Knife
Traditionally used for woodblock print carving, the flat-bottomed curved cutting edge of this style of knife also translates wonderfully well to faceting 3d objects and cutting in detail along creases and depressions. We know of no similar profile in Western carving traditions.
This flat backed knife is made with a laminated HSS edge backed by softer steel. This gives it great edge retention and enables it to be forged in very small cross-sections. We are not aware of any other manufacturer laminating these materials in carving tools, and continue to love working with these great edges.
It is perfect for adding detail on woodblock prints and 3D objects. As the smaller sizes are so fine, they need to be used with care and attention to avoid bending, fatiguing or even breaking the tool. Cut only along the axis of the tool, with forward (not downward) pressure. The same advice holds true for any carving tool under 3mm.
Note, the gouge's handle can have it's brass ferrule removed to pivot open, revealing the shaft of the cutter. This can be used to adjust the length of the tool that protrudes from the handle, or reveal more in the case of wear or breakage. In both instances a few extra tools are required to make these modifications.