Japanese Plane Tsunesaburo Miki 42 mm

Detail

Production: Japan
Brand: Tsunesaburo
Model: Miki 42 mm
Blade Width: 42 mm
Body Size: 212 x 57 x 27 mm
Blade Type: No need to do Uradashi
Steel: powdered high-speed steel HSS

Tsunesaburo 

The Tsunesaburo company was founded in 1947 in Miki city, Hyōgo Prefecture. It is known for its wide range of premium woodworking products, especially Japanese planes. Under the leadership of the third generation, Mr. Toru Uozumi, Tsunesaburo strives to contribute to the rich tradition of building Japanese wooden houses, where planes play a crucial role. The company merges traditional and modern manufacturing techniques and remains steadfastly dedicated to preserving the craft of plane making. It applies a dual approach to innovation: on one hand, it uses the most modern technology for forging steel, and on the other hand, it honors the original sword-making techniques introduced by its founder.

Material

The blade is made of powdered high-speed steel HSS resistant to wear, which is specially designed to be easier to maintain and hold its sharpness longer. The body is made of white Japanese oak.

Note: Delivered in original packaging.

Maintenance

Maintenance of the Japanese plane includes regular sharpening of the blade on sharpening stones and checking the flatness of the base, which should be adjusted as needed for perfect contact with the surface. It is important to protect the wooden body of the plane from moisture and occasionally treat it with oil to prevent deformation. With proper care, the kanna will provide a long lifespan and precise results.

Usage

The Japanese plane kanna is a traditional tool used for precise woodworking. Unlike Western planes, the kanna is used with a pulling motion towards the body, which allows for greater control and precision during planing. It has a simple yet sophisticated design: the wooden body (dai), the main blade (kanna-ba), and the chip breaker, which helps control the shavings.

The thickness of shavings with a Japanese plane kanna is regulated by manually adjusting the blade. A deeper blade insertion creates thicker shavings, while a less extended blade produces finer ones. For precise adjustments, the blade can be lightly tapped with a wooden mallet:
On top of the blade: moves the blade deeper.
On the back of the plane body: slightly pulls the blade out.

Before first use, the Japanese plane needs to be properly set up, which can take approximately 1–2 hours. This process involves flattening the back of the blade, sharpening the edge, adjusting the chip breaker for proper function, and fine-tuning the plane's body. The setup is quite intricate but not only shows the craftsman how the plane works correctly, it also provides a deeper understanding of its design and subtle details that affect the quality of the work produced. Proper setup of the plane is essential for its optimal performance and long lifespan.