In the first of this series we will journey deep into the subtleties of sharpening by hand using Japanese water stones. We will discuss and experiment the use of Nagura stone, Blue stone, 4000, 8000 and finer stones as well as trying several grades of natural finish stones from Mokuchi’s private collection.
A sharp tool is a joy, an ultra sharp blade is a delight.
Sharpening with Japanese Waterstone
Required
– 1000/6000 sharpening stone
– Each student should bring one or more dull blades. Mokuchi also provides purchasing options for edge tool or knives from Japanese suppliers.
Contact Mokuchi to purchase tools. As a Japanese tool retailer Mokuchi provides guidance on selecting tools and a student discount.
4-6 maximum
Mokuchi Studio – Port Jervis
7 – 9pm
Using a saw on a pull stroke can be awkward at first. With a little practice and guidance it becomes second nature. In this half day class we will get acquainted and make friends with the Japaneses saws. A brief overview of saws will be followed by demonstration of cross and rip cutting. Optimum body positioning and angles of cut will be discussed. You will get plenty of time to practice what was covered using your saw and ask questions to fine tune your technique.
This class is recommended before taking any of the joinery classes.
A well tuned Japanese plane can produce gauze thin shavings. The highest quality for finishing will leave your wood surface silky smooth. This requires skill and knowledge. This is class is about achieving the glassy smooth finish possible with Japanese finishing planes! During the weekend you will start with a new 60mm Japanese smoothing plane. This is a versatile size plane (kanna) and is well suited for those new to finishing work with Japanese planes. You’ll tune and sharpen the blade, fit it to a Japanese white oak block, and start making shavings.
Yann will cover sharpening, tapping out a blade, correcting blade shape and bevel angle, and fitting the blade to the block. Of the three main Japanese tools – plane, saw, and chisel, the Japanese kanna is the most difficult to gain a working knowledge. With Yann’s guidance and a dedicated weekend of work, you’ll receive the basics of Japanese plane usage and a great foundation of skills.
Advanced classes will require experience planing parts. This course a great way to acquire those skills and a good quality plane to advance your hand tool woodworking, regardless of if you choose to adopt the range of Japanese hand tools.
Kumiko patterns are the decorative geometric forms that traditionally accent Japanese shoji screens. More recently the patterns are used in furniture and lighting.
In class, you will learn the basics of making kumiko patterns. Including how to prepare material, make the jigumi grid that houses the pattern, and cut the many pieces that make up a pattern. We will also look at a variety of jigs used in the preparation of kumiko stock and cutting pattern pieces. Everyone will make a trivet based on the popular asa-no-ha pattern. A variety of other patterns will also be discussed.
This class is an introduction to Japanese woodworking tools. A high quality block plane with a laminated blade and a chisel with a laminated blade are great additions to any woodworkers set of tools. While many “convert” to Japanese tools after using them, this class will provide experience with great tools and new skills regardless how much a student chooses to adopt the Japanese tools. This two day intensive will focus on sharpening and setting up a new Japanese chisel and block plane. It will include:
Students will also receive instruction and have opportunity to practice proper planing technique.