Knifemaker Looking for Advice

[Muddy]

Good Evening All,
I am interested in making some bonsai grafting knives/kiridashi and was after some advice from those in the know.
Are the traditional japanese style blades flat or hollow ground? The wiki says hollow, but all pictures I see are of flat chisel grinds.
If you could customize your own, what would you want in a knife - Bigger? Smaller? Longer? Thinner? Set of two? I'd rather produce something that the bonsai community would appreciate.
Here's today's prototype ready for heat treat. Might look at doing a nice etched graphic too.
Overall length: 195mm
Cutting Edge: 68mm

20170208_213154.jpg

[Jow]

They are slight hollow ground. Most are shaped on large wet wheels that give a slightly hollow grind although for most purposes they are flat Chisle grinds if that makes sense.

[Jow]

I do a fair amount of grafting and would be happy to give input where I can.
Where are you located?

[Muddy]

I'm in Springfield 4300. I can do hollow grinding if that's what is preferred.

[Jarad]

Nice work mate, looks like a pretty nice blade.

I like the shape but for me I would make it smaller, the typical Japanese grafting tools are quite large.

Maybe 120mm total length with a 40mm blade. I wouldn't bother with etching except for the makers signature. What would be the asking price for one of these?

[JaseH]

The one I got in Japan is single edge and has slight hollow on the back. Think single bevel sushi knife, I sharpen it the same way using flat stones.

[Muddy]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like an urasuki grind is the traditional way to go.
I'll aim to price them around $100 using carbon steel, more if I make some out of damascus.
This one is O1 which is a high carbon tool steel.

[Jow]

The knife you posted look very pretty but in all honesty i find myself using blades much more like the one pictured. I find it much easier to negotiate into tight spots. Not a particularly pretty or interesting design, but it works great.

t131-2.jpg

10-15 mm wide strip with a chisel grind.

[treeman]

That's nice work Muddy! I will only add that we need both small (as Jow's) and standard size but more importantly left and right. Sometimes I want to cut up and sometimes down or...in and outward if you know what I mean. Also rather than just a straight cutting edge, I rather like the way a curved edge slices. Although they are a pain to sharpen!

[AnneK]

Hi Muddy,

I really think it is great that you have the skills and have seen this as an opportunity. I wish you every success.

We now have our own Australian pot makers, there were not as numerous 20 years ago. Creative people see a possibility and take it on. All to be highly commended.

When I started bonsai in 1997 I could not understand the one thing we use the most of; Wire —was not made here. Nationally we recycle alumium, yet no industry perhaps already making wire has not taken to straining out bonsai wire.

If it's Australian made Buy It!

Regards, AnneK.

[Muddy]

Thank you everyone for the input. I'll make a batch with left & right hand in 2 sizes to start.

[peterb]

Hi muddy
What would the price be for a blade like jow's
Cheers
Peterb

[Muddy]

How about this.
I'll make up a few sizes/shapes, then post back here what I've come up with.
I'll work out time & materials later, but I'm thinking about $70 for the smaller thin shape? Sound reasonable?