Japanese Plane Tsunesaburo Miki 42 mm

Manufacture: 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: powder high-speed steel HSS
Body material: Japanese white oak

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

JP Tsunesaburou Co., Ltd., 2151 Fukui Hachimantani, Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, 673-0433, Japan, +81-794-82-5257, office@tsune36.co.jp CZ Tokyo Tools s.r.o., Slovinská 652/19, Praha 10, 10100, CZ, 773707811, www.tokyotools.cz, info@tokyotools.cz

The blade is made from wear-resistant powder high-speed steel HSS, specially designed to be easier to maintain and retain sharpness for a long time. The body is made from Japanese white oak. 

Note: Delivered in original packaging. 

Maintenance of a Japanese plane involves regular sharpening of the blade on whetstones 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 long life and precise results.

The Japanese plane kanna is a traditional tool used for precise woodworking. Unlike Western planes, the kanna is used by pulling it towards you, which allows for greater control and precision while planing. It has a simple yet ingenious construction: a wooden body (dai), a main blade (kanna-ba), and a chip breaker that helps control the shavings.

The thickness of the shavings in a Japanese plane kanna is regulated by manually adjusting the blade. A deeper-set blade creates stronger shavings, while a less-set one produces finer ones. For precise adjustment, the blade is lightly tapped with a wooden mallet — tapping from above moves it deeper, while tapping on the back of the plane body slightly pulls it out.

Before first use, the Japanese plane must be properly set up, which may take about 1–2 hours. This process includes flattening the back of the blade, sharpening the edge, adjusting the chip breaker for proper function, and fine-tuning the plane body. Setting up is quite complex, but it not only shows the craftsman how the plane works properly, but also provides a deeper understanding of its construction and the subtle details that affect the quality of the work. Proper plane setup is essential for its optimal performance and long lifespan.