# Japanese chisel

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Japanese chisels

More Japanese chisels

Japanese chisels in use, among other tools (early 14th Century)

The **Japanese chisel** or ***nomi* (鑿, のみ)** is made on similar principles to the [Japanese plane](/source/Japanese_plane). There is a hard blade, called hagane attached to a softer piece of metal called the [jigane](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jigane&action=edit&redlink=1).[1]

## Types

- The ***oire nomi* (追入れ鑿)** is the most usual type of Japanese chisel. The name literally means *rabbeting chisel*.

- The ***shinogi nomi* (鎬鑿)** has beveled edges for making [dovetail joints](/source/Dovetail_joint).

## Preparation

A Japanese chisel usually requires some set-up, called *shikomi* (仕込み). The metal ring attached to the handle must be removed, the wood and ring filed to match, the ring replaced on the chisel and then the wood beaten down around the ring so that the mallet strikes the wood. The function of the metal ring is to prevent the wooden handle from splitting. The handles are often made of Red or White Oak.

## Sharpening

Japanese carpenters use [waterstones](/source/Sharpening_stone) for sharpening.

## See also

- [Japanese carpentry](/source/Japanese_carpentry)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Yen, David (May 2012). ["Japanese Timer Frame Methodology: Alternative Solutions to Hawaii's Built Environment"](http://hdl.handle.net/10125/45684): 43. [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10125/45684](https://hdl.handle.net/10125%2F45684). {{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#missing_periodical))

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