Woodworking Notebook

Notes on various topics related to woodworking. Information I find researching particular topics, etc.

Review of Japanese Tool Suppliers

Suzuki-ya

A very well regarded tool supplier located Berkeley CA. The website lists what is available, but you should really call to place an order. Suzuki-san has good advice and can help make sure what you are buying will suit your purposes.

Pro Shop Hokuto

I have had an excellent experience purchasing from this shop. The website is a bit difficult to use since the navigational links are images that won’t get automatically translated. There is an [English site(http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~ttoishi/sumurai.index.html), which helps you get to the right part of the website before diving back into the Japanese edition.

Hitoshi Yoshino responded to my order, send me payment information, packed and shipped my order in a matter of hours. When I received the gennou the packaging was impeccable. The head was wrapped in anti-rust paper, then bubble wrap, placed inside a dollar store lunchbox, bubble wrapped again and then inside a perfectly sized cardboard box.

Kurashige Tools

An excellent resource - the site is in English and Japanese with detailed photos of many products. They are very fast to ship and have reasonable prices. I placed an order on a Tuesday and received the goods in California on Friday; Kurashige Tools packed the order within hours.

Mandaraya

I have not ordered from this shop yet, but would like to. Lots of interesting information on smiths and tools here.

Hamadaya

Officially supports international shipping. I tried to order once, but the response was slow enough I found the tool elsewhere first.

Nobori Hamono

Shipping within Japan only (at the moment?, hard to tell - online shop is currently closed).

Marutada Co

Shipping within Japan only.

Ichikawa Hardware Co

I don’t know anything about this company.