Japanese chisel

The Japanese chisel or nomi is made on similar principles to the Japanese plane. There is a hard blade, called hagane attached to a softer piece of metal called the jigane.

Types

The oire nomi is the most usual type of Japanese chisel. The name literally means rabbeting chisel.
The shinogi nomi has beveled edges for making dovetail joints.
Preparation

A Japanese chisel usually requires some set-up, called shikomi. 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 for sharpening.