Welcome to the woodworking tools page at Bluewater Forge . Here you will find a sampling of tools I have made in the past. Although the tools I make are typically Japanese in design, I will custom forge whatever a client wants. As a carpenter with a background in Japanese carpentry, making Japanese style tools for me was a natural progression. If you want a custom tool of a different design, I’d be happy to work with you. If you see an item here that you do not see on the Store page, Send me an email. I’d be happy to make it,
7 Bu Shinogi Slick Chisel
I styled this chisel after seeing a plane block makers slick in Japan. A bit thicker than a standard oire bench chisel and a bit longer than a tataki timber frame carpenters chisel. It has a thick shaft to eliminate deflection while paring white oak end grain in plane block joinery. The beveled sides (shinogi) fit well underneath blade grooves in a plane block. Also a very handy blade style for cutting more complex timber frame joints like sliding dovetail pockets and gooseneck joints. Laminated construction, Wrought iron body that hones well and taps out beautifully and UHB 26c3 high carbon tool steel. Heat treated in a controlled environment to take advantage of 26c3’s exceptionally clean chemistry and high carbon content. Shinogi slicks in various sizes are a must have in my own toolbox
1” Shinogi slick
Wrought Iron and 26c3 steel
The Shinogi timber slick is an incredibly useful tool for any joiner and a must in my own tool arsenal. Very effective in assisting with cutting intricate joinery in timber frame construction. The long wrought iron and nickel damascus body adds stiffness that can be felt in the cut Especially in paring end grain. Easy to tap out and sharpen. UHB 26c3 tool steel heat treated in a controlled environment to take advantage of it’s clean chemistry and high carbon content . A Shinogi Timber Slick is a must have in my own tool arsenal.
1” Shinogi Timber Slick
Feather pattern damascus body made in Wrought Iron and Pure Nickel with a 26c3 bit and Bronze ferrule
The 2” timber slick is a must have for the timber frame carpenter. Paired with a 7/8” or 1” shinogi slick most typical joinery in timber frame construction can be cleanly and efficiently cleaned up. I’ve used the same set for 35 years and couldn’t produce without them. The wrought iron and nickel damascus construction of the body makes sharpening and maintenance a breeze and looks really good doing it. The laminated UHB 26C tool steel bit takes an incredibly keen edge do to it’s clean chemistry and my controlled heat treatment. A 2” timber slick is a must in my tool arsenal
2” Timber Slick
Feather pattern damascus body in wrought iron and pure nickel
UHB 26C tool steel bit
These two timber slicks are a must have for the timber frame carpenter. I’ve been using the same pair for 35 years and have cut thousands of joints in timber frame construction with them. The bodies are made from repurposed wrought iron from am 18th century Calistoga wagon wheel forge welded to UHB 26C3 tool steel. They take an incredibly fine edge and are easy to maintain do to 26c3’s clean chemistry and the mailability of wrought iron
Timber Framers Slick Set 1” and 2” Shinogi Style
Wrought Iron and UHB 26C Tool Steel
2” Shinogi Timber Slick
Wrought iron and UHB 26C tool steel
70mm Hira ganna
Japanese style finish plane
Wrought iron and pure nickel feather pattern damascus body and a UHB 26C3 Bit
The ooganna is a finishing tool. Once parts are milled and joinery is cut, the final finish is a planed surface. The ooganna takes that to the next level and allows the user to make a final pass on a wide part with one pass. Eliminating the necessity of honing exacting camber on a hiraganna . Leaving an incredibly shiny and smooth flat surface.
Japanese style OOganna
*8” beam plane set in a Japanese white oak dai