Japanese Chisels for Precise Joinery and Fine Woodworking
Japanese chisels, or nomi, are designed for clean, accurate cutting in joinery, cabinetry, and furniture making. Built with hard, high-carbon steel laminated to a softer backing, they offer excellent edge retention while remaining comfortable to sharpen and tune. This category brings together a range of Japanese bench chisels, dovetail chisels, paring chisels, and specialty profiles to match the way you work.
Here you can compare individual chisels and complete sets suited for everything from general bench work to detailed hand-cut dovetails. Many Japanese chisels are made with slightly hollow-ground backs, making them easier to flatten and maintain. Their compact size, balance, and sharpness help you achieve tighter-fitting joints and smoother surfaces with less effort.
Use Japanese chisels for tasks such as mortises, tenons, dovetails, lap joints, and fine trimming. Pair them with quality Japanese sharpening stones and a solid chopping or paring technique to get the best results. With proper care, a well-made Japanese chisel set can serve as a long-term cornerstone of your hand-tool kit.
Browse this selection of Japanese woodworking chisels to find tools that match your skill level, budget, and preferred style of work. As new options become available, this category will continue to grow with trusted makers and proven designs so you can build a reliable collection over time.
