KAKURI Japanese Wood Chisel

I recently treated myself to the KAKURI Japanese Wood Chisel Set [Long Handle] 3 Piece, purchased from Amazon, and it has elevated my woodworking experience to a new level. Made in Japan, this set includes three chisels designed for carving, mortising, and dovetailing, and I’m thrilled with their craftsmanship and performance. The set arrived beautifully packaged, with each chisel showcasing the meticulous attention to detail that Japanese tools are renowned for. The standout feature is the razor-sharp edges of these chisels, crafted from high-quality Japanese carbon steel. From the moment I unpacked them, I could tell they were exceptionally honed. Testing them on various hardwoods, including oak and walnut, the blades sliced through with effortless precision, leaving clean, smooth cuts without splintering. Even after extended use, the edges retained their sharpness, requiring minimal touch-ups with a honing stone. The sharpness is a testament to their traditional Oire Nomi design, making them ideal for intricate tasks like dovetail joints and fine detailing. I was particularly impressed with how they handled mortising—clean, controlled cuts every time. Equally impressive are the long red oak wood handles, which offer unparalleled comfort. The ergonomic design fits perfectly in my hand, providing a secure grip that reduces fatigue during long sessions. The handles are smooth yet sturdy, with a natural finish that feels warm and pleasant to hold. The extended length adds leverage, making it easier to apply controlled force, especially on tougher materials. Unlike shorter-handled chisels I’ve used before, these allowed me to work with confidence and precision, whether I was chiseling by hand or using a mallet. The balance between the blade and handle is spot-on, enhancing control and minimizing strain on my wrists. The durability of the set is another plus—the steel resists chipping, and the handles show no signs of wear even after heavy use. The chisels come with protective plastic caps, ensuring safety during storage. For woodworkers seeking professional-grade tools, this KAKURI set is a fantastic investment. The combination of razor-sharp blades and exceptionally comfortable handles makes every project a joy. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned craftsman, these Japanese chisels from Amazon will not disappoint. I give them a solid 5 stars for their quality, comfort, and performance—highly recommended!

I have several sets of cheap and moderate quality chisels, and none compare to this set. These were absolutely razor-sharp out of the box, and I used them to make sharp corners on an Oak door that I made and routed for 3/16 glass, see attached picture. They do an amazing job as long as you work slowly, and after one door, 24 corners, the chisel is still as sharp as it was when I started. My only complaint is the plastic chisel guards they provide are junk (one cracked right away) so they’re fairly useless and required duct tape, and the tools also require a bit of prep work before using, but no big deal. The steel is what matters on these tools, and the Japanese certainly have their steel quality down perfectly.

Hardness not consistent through all three chisels-larger two sizes much harder than the narrow one (please note this is a subjective analysis, determined when I flattened & honed the chisels-the narrower of the three was much softer). Setting of the rings was not bad, as the fit of the rings was accurately done, and took no more than five to ten minutes for each (yes, on Japanese chisels, the rings at the top of the handle, must be set). After sharpening, all three did an equal job of paring end grain of pine (remember, Japanese tools, used in Japan, are typically used on softer woods than in the states), including the narrower chisel. The larger chisel had a bad grinding on the flat (the hollowed side) and it will take a fair number of sharpenings to get all of that hollow area (located near the edge) 100% flat. For the reasons stated above, I'm giving these chisels three out of five stars. If the larger chisel had not had such a bad grinding of the back, these would be a solid four out of five, even accounting for the bit of softness in the narrow chisel (again, this was a subjective impression). For about $14.00, these chisels are cheap! After I use them for a few weeks, I may update my review and star ratings. Ok-I'm increasing my rating by one star to four stars. I've had these for a year, and though they're not my goto chisels, I've used them more than enough to search out this type (bench) for a specific size. Edge retention, after sharpening back a bit, is excellent. Hoops are well set, permitting mallet use. Again. At $45 for a set of three, these are a bargain, and merit serious consideration. Again, I was a professional carpenter and since 1989, an advanced hobbyist woodworker. Another update to my review, first was three stars, then four and now FIVE stars! The mid-sized chisel has become my go to bench chisel. As previously mentioned, I have sharpened back a bit and the edge retention continues to improve. The style of a Japanese chisel permits mallet use, and, being a bench chisel, I have struck this mostly with a 16 oz. claw hammer, to absolutely no detriment to the edge (sharpened around 25 degrees). They take a licking and keep on ticking! At $45 for a set of three, these are definitely a great buy. As I have previously mentioned, I was a professional, and now at 67, a hobbyist. I use my tools and see their value in the job they do. My Lee Valley, my Lie Neilsen, my various boutique saw get used and not pampered. I have some better Japanese dovetail chisels that are beyond superb, but each cost more than triple the price of a set of three of these. I would bet, that if careful not to overheat the steel, I could grind bevels on the side lands of these and end up with a superb dovetail chisel. Another update: the largest of the three chisels is now a constant companion of mine in my shop! Edge retention is great! Honing or sharpening is not bad at all! To my way of working, edge retention is as good, if not better, than most modern chisels (LN, Ashley Iles, etc.) and as good, if not better than my vintage (Witherby, Ward, Buck, etc.). To me the total cost of all three in this set, is less than what, to me, the value of this one chisel of this set is worth!

Great chisels. Ive used them a lot and they take a really nice edge and hold it well. You can do a lot with the three different sizes. Good quality and definitely worth the price.

DISAPPOINTED. Defects right out of the package. 1. Package had visible damage. 2. 15mm chisel: cutting tip end was exposed---blade protective guard was not in place (loose in box)---corner chipped/broken off. 3. 24mm chisel: back side, convex area is too close to the cutting edge---less than 1mm---insufficient for resharpening, at a later date. (NOTE: other chisel had up to 4mm of material). NOTE: This is a product made in China (label on package). I have and have used several Japanese Wood Working Tools, over many years. This batch ARE NOT Japanese quality tools, that I'm familiar with. POOR QUALITY and workmanship. Received replacement set!---within a few days. Rating upgraded to 4 stars. These are what I expected, and Made in Japan. All's good, at this point. I honed, polished and stropped them---to a scary sharp razor-like edge. Paring/shaving was very thin and super smooth on cross-grain, using only hand pressure, without having to use a mallot. In due time and extended use, I'll see how they perform and hold-up. BTW---I'm very pleased with the performance and quality of Japanese made wood working tools.

Great,please note japanese tool handles come un finished to save cost I'm guessing,they still feel great, if it matters to you throw on some mineral oil or linseed oil

I’m new to working with Japanese wood chisels but have been impressed with this set. Just remember they need to be sharpened differently than most bench chisels. Two of the three chisels were sharpened perfectly while the third needed some extra care. Very sharp.

These are excellent and worked well for a cabinet project that required trimming wood plugs in old hinge holes in the cabinet doors.