Yoshiharu woodcarving knife: from the land of the rising sun

Reasons to buy a Yoshiharu woodcarving knife

The Yoshiharu knives make many Japanese feel very nostalgic. Japanese printmaking follows an age-old tradition that is still preserved today. Prints from the 17th and 18th centuries are the most famous and were made with gouges. You might know them, the beautifully coloured landscapes highlighting Mount Fuji. Today, young children still learn how to make these types of prints at school.

Yoshiharu woodcarving knife: the blade

The knives and gouges are made from double-layered steel. This means a layer of very hard carbon steel is covered by a layer of slightly softer steel that is less brittle. As a result, the blades are extremely sharp and retain that sharpness for a long time. Moreover, they are easy to sharpen as soon as they start to become blunt. The steel isn't stainless, so make sure you always dry the knives and gouges well and store them dry.

Yoshiharu woodcarving knife: the handle

These woodcarving knives have a longer handle, so you can hold them like a pencil and carve with great precision. The handles are typically made of different types of wood or brass.

History of Yoshiharu knives

Yoshiharu produces traditional gouges and wood carving knives. The company is over one hundred years old and was originally founded in Tokyo, Japan. Woodcarving, known as ‘mokuhanga’, was a popular art form and Yoshiharu played a crucial role in this tradition. The knives were originally developed for cutting intricate patterns in wood blocks used for printing ukiyo-e, the famous Japanese woodblock prints. The precision and sharpness of Yoshiharu knives made them perfect for this delicate work.

Over the years, Yoshiharu woodcutting knives evolved with the times. Traditional forging techniques were carefully passed down from generation to generation. Each knife is still handmade by master blacksmiths, who master their craft to perfection. This ensures that each knife is not just a tool, but a work of art in itself. Yoshiharu's knives are designed to be perfect for precision work.

Today, Yoshiharu woodcutting knives are appreciated by both professional woodcutters and hobbyists worldwide. The combination of traditional Japanese techniques and modern innovations ensures that these knives maintain their status as premium tools.