Forging special chisels for a Japanese temple builder.

We were recently commissioned by a Japanese temple builder to forge some special chisels which he designed to better facilitate his daily work. Due to many factors, it has become very difficult to buy custom forged chisels inside Japan. Even when possible, the wait list are years long, and the prices very high.
For these reasons this commission ended up far away in rural Kentucky.
Our client had the brilliant idea of creating wooden forms to send me, giving me an exact example to base my forgings on. This was very helpful and made the process much easier.
We have been overjoyed to be able to help in this project. It is such a huge honor to be asked to make these tools.
This collaboration is also visible on instagram where we trade videos.

Mr. Ozaki has a wonderful Instagram page and also a youtube with many great posts showing his daily work. All very impressive stuff! Please see the link to his pages below.

#mrchickadee

[chantarokichi]

I have received this chisel in my possession.
You have used the chisel in good faith, and now I will use it.
First, I intend to sharpen them until they are ready for use.
I think those hours will be very meaningful and enjoyable for me.
Thank you so much for making this chisel.

[toddmansilver]

It seems to me like being commissioned by a japanese artisan, particularly one who does ceremonially important work, is very high praise. Well done!

[The_Modeling_Underdog]

You know... It's not just Mr. C's outstanding knowledge and skill. It's his wife's careful filming and editing, as well. You combine all that and you get little gems like these videos.

Those chisels look fantastic.

Well done.

[TioTheo]

I lost must have lost this channel for several years and I'm so glad it popped up in my suggested again!

[StevenEverett]

I'm so happy you've posted another video Mr. Chickadee. Those are beautiful pieces of work!

[felisconcolor]

Even though I read "Let's do our best!" all I could hear in my head was "Ganbatte!"

Outstanding!

[McTroyd]

Wow. Damn high praise to be commissioned for a job like this by a Japanese temple builder! 😳 Talk about a perfectionist. They nonetheless have the right guy for the job... 👍

[Nebulax]

Really enjoyed this. I recently lost my little grey cat Tink who is a carbon copy of your cat. Watching yours help unpack the wooden chisels brought back wonderful memories of her. I played the beginning several times.

[mrstandfast]

Those chisels are the perfect marriage of beauty and service.

[marcusm]

when I saw the caption "layout for grinding" i thought to myself oh wow Mr. Chickadee has got himself an electric grinder but then I see him reach for the Bastard File. My goodness what a labout of love and true craftsmanship. Much respect

[BernardSandler]

Work like this is a prayer to work. You bestow a blessing on one who creates shelters for blessings.

[codyleeser]

The world seeks out a master craftsman.

[InformationIsTheEdge]

That was really impressive work. No marshmallow of mine ever helped to build a Japanese Temple! The template and your finished product in steel look exactly the same! Very impressive.

[alasdairmackenzie]

I'm a woodworker yet I'm always fascinated by metal working.

Thank you so much for posting.

[ashleystevens]

Beautiful work Josh! Now we need Mr. Ozaki to film himself working with those precision instruments!

[enaid]

You have to be the toughest, most skilled, willing to learn person I've ever seen. Good for you!

[gymnosophist]

A great honour to receive such a commission, and an equally great honour for Mr Ozaki to receive such fine tools!

[morty_mcfly]

After Hattori Hanzō fine japanese swords, there are Mr. Chickadee handmade chisels 🤩

[tuppyglossop]

I just checked out Mr Ozaki’s channel. Highly recommended. Seriously good work. English subtitles too.

[bla]

This channel is a true gem, standing out among other gems. Just fount this channel, and I am wowed. Keep it up and a deep thank you.