Making a Mizuno (水野) Kanna Blade - Japanese Blacksmith - Master of Traditional Crafts
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- In this video, we are in Yoita, Niigata, Japan spending the day with Mr. Mizuno, the Japanese Master of Traditional Crafts, making a Kanna (鉋) blade. This was an amazing experience where we got a chance to get a behind the scenes look at this master blacksmith at work. His Kanna (鉋) blades are highly sought after for their quality, affordability, and ease of usability.
We had a lot of fun hanging out in his workshop as he processed a blade from beginning to end. He explained to us some of the steps he does when processing a blade, however, it would take decades to master his skill. His techniques differ from Funahiro, but share a lot of similarities with the basis of kanna blade making. His attention to detail and understanding of metallurgical properties in combination with his practical knowledge is something that everyone should aspire to even outside of blacksmithing.
Mr. Mizuno showed us a nice display of his finest work. His blades range from Japanese White and Blue Steels to Swedish made Steel. He even showed us a rare blade made from Tōgō White Steel and one made of Damascus Steel. Each steel takes years to master as you work and shape the iron to perfection.
We learned a lot from Mr. Mizuno.
We hope you enjoy this video and get a chance to buy a Mizuno Kanna.
#carpentrylife #japanesewoodworking #carpentrytools
Having worked with German chisels, planes and saws for 60 years and with Japanese chisels, planes and saws for 40 years and worked in Australia with very hard timbers for 34 years, I can say that I use hard steel Japanese wood working tools mostly on soft timbers and softer western steel tools on hard timbers. The hard Japanese steel chips easily on hard end grain and it takes a long time to sharpen. The softer steel is as sharp but does not chip and is a lot easier to sharpen. I learned that the hard way over time.
Blue steel is better for Aussie hard woods than white. Much tougher, less brittle. I rarely use my western chisels except for rough work.
It is nice to see traditional people doing what they do best keep showing these type of videos as it is very educational to use all. 😀👍👍
Loved the video, I have a kanna made by mister Mizuno and I always wanted to see where it was made, I have not used it yet but now i really want to set it up. If I remember it's supposed to be swedish steel. You're living the dream man, keep it up.
I have four Kanna. Can't imagine working without them. Two are blue steel, two are sword steel. All of them are a joy to use. The soft iron backs make them easy to sharpen accurately and quickly. Much less effort than a western plane to use. Much better control too. I wish I could afford to buy a few more but I really need to get some more Ouchi chisels. Can you visit a chisel maker sometime? That would be awesome to watch.
Thanks for a great video. Keep them coming. Love your channel.
Thanks your interviews with Japanese masters are so great. You are helping make this knowledge accessible. Thank you 🙏
I really like to watch traditional Craftsmen at work & His Planes are nothing like the ones I see in the UK & yet they look to good to use also everything in His Forge is so neat & tidy, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
That was most interesting, I love a root around someone's workshop, always manage to see new things. Many thanks
I remember back in the 80s it cost like 60 bucks to get the masterpiece tools video on this subject. Thank you.
Oh, those videos are on YT today, though I think this one shows more of the way they really make them in production.
Great Video! It is good to see the blacksmith who made my smoothing plane blade. My blade gets super sharp and takes a lot of skill on my part to sharpen it.
I have a Mizuno K120 blade and made a laminated kanna-dai for it myself. It's my favourite kanna.
Ok, I gotta find a blacksmith in my area....Thanks for overwhelming me with awesome information. I love fieldtrips.
Thank you so very much for these videos, I throughly enjoy a glimpse into the workings of the craftsman. 👍
Awesome! I've been counting days since you've mentioned the video about Mizuno-san 😅 thanks, it's so great to see how the smith, whose planes I use everyday, makes these tools!
3:07 - That's not a decorative pattern, he cold-hammers steel, making it harder in the process. The patterning will provide the alternation of harder and softer patches, providing resistance to notching and likely providing some degree of self-sharpening and is likely located on the cutting side of the blade.
Mr Mizuno is very kind to let you visit and film the forging process - not even 100 years ago that would have been a closely guarded secret.
Wonderful video of almost obsolete craftsmanship!
Thanks
Very interesting to see how there made thanks
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
Thank you so much! Thank you for watching.
For an affordable plane that’s a lot of handwork. Also the Japanese have really mastered the sweat towel
Love the industrial scale grinding/polishing equipment in this tiny Japanese workshops. I suspect it was purchased as surplus post-war.
Great video, thanks. If you find a retail outlet for those blades with online sales could you please post a link. I want one.
There is a shop in Tokyo that sometimes has Mizuno Kanna. Please take a look at this video. ua-cam.com/video/eBoNdIgpZK8/v-deo.html
This shop is the only shop I know of right now that can ship overseas. You can also contact them through their Instagram @daikudogu in English if you are looking for a Mizuno Kanna.
Thank you for watching.
Fascinating video, thank you. Why does Mr Mizuno dip his hammer (sorry, I forget the Japanese for 'hammer' ) in water between strikes? Is it to keep the hammer head cool as it heats up due to contact with the hot steel and this may affect the hardness of the head?
When the water on the hammer ( or anvil surface) comes into contact with the hot metal it vaporizes and helps blow the scale (oxidized iron) off of the surface. So it's a way to keep the surface of the plane clean during forging.
Mr Mizumo must have perfect hearing 😂
Where I can find this planes? stores? or only in japan?
So is there a online store where these Kansas are available for purchase? Great job with the video!
Kurashige might have them.
I hope there is a 5th generation and a 6th now so few young people want to have children.
I watched this on tv i had ideas how to help the blacksmith to prevent the goo blocking the vents i want to work there!
Thanks!
Thanks, Dave. We are applicated!