Woodcarving is one of the most ancient, fundamental forms of woodworking. It promotes a sense of calm and focus, allowing you to freely express yourself in a natural, sustainable material. Find your Zen with these beautiful woodcarving knives from master blacksmiths Ikeuchi.
Ikeuchi Mikikichan Carving Knives are hand-forged from Aogami #2 Steel, often called ‘Blue Paper’ steel due to the colour of the paper the steel comes wrapped in. Aogami is a high carbon steel with very few impurities, and added tungsten and chromium for wear resistance. Of the three types of Aogami steel, #2 is considered the “toughest”: better able to resist chipping, retain an edge, and continue to cut well even as it begins to dull.
In traditional Japanese fashion, the Aogami steel is laminated to a layer of softer steel that supports it and makes the knife easier to sharpen. The back of each blade is concaved, reducing the area of tough Aogami that needs to be flattened and therefore further increasing sharpening ease.
The Ikeuchi family has been making knives since 1953 in Miki city, Japan. Miki has been renowned for its tool making industry since the Edo period, and Ikeuchi’s Mikikichan Carving Knives are an excellent example of the high-quality tools and hardware produced in the area.
Each knife in the set has a name and a specialty:
Yoko is shaped like a right-handed kiridashi and is useful for detail work and angled paring cuts.
Ken is a pointed tip knife, similar in shape to a striking knife. It is perfect for use as a marking knife, getting into tight joinery spaces and producing small carved details.
Kazuki is a crescent-shaped narrow bladed knife great for detail work and easing gentle compound curves.
Kudi is a very narrow, straight-bladed knife perfect for tight inside curves
Tsurugi is double bevel, double edged carving knife allowing for many different kinds of cuts. One edge is straight and the other is concave.
Tamokuteki is excellent for any kind of basic cut and designed for use with your right hand.
The Ikeuchi Mikikichan Set of Six Carving Knives comes with a handsome 315 x 210mm canvas roll for storage and transportation. Each knife has a protective sheath and is sharpened at the factory, however final honing is recommended before first use.
All knives measure approximately 160mm long.