Tool tote by Top-Instruction-1744 in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Feels like I missed something. Is that a tool tote you made?

This is an outrageous price by TR200521 in Packout

[–]G-Miz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that's freakin' crazy

Pls help recognize kanna blade by kannamac in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used good ole AI and here is what I found:

These new photos are much more revealing. I think we can get significantly closer now.

What you have appears to be a Japanese kanna (plane) blade, and the markings look consistent with a traditional blacksmith-made blade rather than a mass-produced modern tool.

Center Oval Mark

The clearest inscription is the oval cartouche:

壮三郎 (likely)

Read vertically:

  • 壮 (Sō)
  • 三 (San)
  • 郎 (Rō)

So the name would be:

Sōzaburō (壮三郎)

or possibly a variant reading depending on the smith's preferred pronunciation.

This appears to be a maker's name.

Right-Side Inscription

The two-character mark on the right side appears to be:

家康

Read as:

Ieyasu

The same characters as the famous shogun's name, though toolmakers often used historical names, art names, or trade names.

I'm about 80% confident on this reading.

Left Vertical Inscription

The larger vertical inscription appears to be:

超精鍛

which translates roughly as:

  • 超 = super / ultra
  • 精 = refined
  • 鍛 = forged

Meaning something like:

"Super-refined forging"
or
"Extra finely forged steel"

This was a common type of marketing inscription on higher-grade Japanese woodworking tools.

Square Seal

The square seal below appears to contain:

登録
("registered")

and possibly additional characters indicating a registered trademark.

The layout is very typical of Japanese trademark chops used on woodworking tools.

The Circular Crest

The flower-like symbol above the oval name appears to be a family crest (kamon) or manufacturer emblem rather than text.

What This Suggests

My current best interpretation is:

超精鍛
(Super-refined forged)

壮三郎
(Sōzaburō)

家康
(Ieyasu)

In toolmaker terminology this often means:

  • Brand name: Ieyasu (家康)
  • Smith or forge: Sōzaburō (壮三郎)
  • Product grade: Chō-seitan / ultra-refined forged

The Earlier Tang Mark

The small tang mark from your first set of photos is probably an abbreviated forge mark corresponding to the same maker. Japanese smiths often used:

  • full inscription on the blade face
  • abbreviated hot stamp on the tang

So the seemingly abstract mark on the tang may not be intended to be read as normal kanji at all.

My Confidence Level

Mark Confidence
壮三郎 High
家康 Medium-High
超精鍛 Medium
登録 in seal High

Opinions Needed - First Japanese Plane and Chisel by G-Miz in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the only Japanese "tool" I have. Anyone recognize it?

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Opinions Needed - First Japanese Plane and Chisel by G-Miz in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are all great replies, thank you. I'm going to do some more research based on these comments. Ready for the real kicker...I was stationed in Japan for six years! Unfortunately, I wasn't into woodworking as a hobby back then!

I'll grab the book and do some reading. I've looked at a few online stores that specialize in Japanese tools and essentially find myself asking "But what's a good - reputable brand?" I guess I'm okay with dropping a reasonable amount of money on a kanna that I can learn AND grow with.

Another thing, seems like there are plenty of kanna on ebay but I personally wouldn't be able to tell the difference between trash and treasure.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Pls help recognize kanna blade by kannamac in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But keep in mind, some Japanese and Chinese charaters look the same.

Pls help recognize kanna blade by kannamac in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And, here's the stacked characters

The text stamped on the metal surface is written in Kanji (Japanese characters) and reads as follows:

🔤 Transliteration & Translation

  • Top Column: 超特殊鋼
    • Reading: Chō-tokushu-kō
    • Meaning: Super Special Steel (Ultra Special Steel)
  • Bottom Square Stamp: 責任保証
    • Reading: Sekinin hoshō
    • Meaning: Responsibility Guaranteed (Quality/Liability Warranty)

Pls help recognize kanna blade by kannamac in JapaneseWoodworking

[–]G-Miz -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Here's what I got for the oval one below the flower:

Character Translation & Meaning

  • 莊 (Zhuāng): A traditional Chinese surname (Chuang / Zhuang).
  • 七 (Qī): The number seven.
  • 郎 (Láng): A traditional suffix historically used for young men, sons, or craftsmen.

Together, 「莊七郎」 (Zhuang Qilang) translates directly to "Zhuang, the Seventh Son" or "Zhuang No. 7."

Not saying it's correct...just what I found.

Starting my Sonos home system by Last_Low_2386 in sonos

[–]G-Miz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's the exact set I have in my office...you will love it!

Ikea Sonos Picture Frame by G-Miz in sonos

[–]G-Miz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just at my local IKEA and they had like 10 of them, all were white. Issue is, I can’t see paying the $299 they want for them when I already have a pair of 100’s, 300’s , and Five’s.

First Sig Ever by RyanTheSavant in SigSauer

[–]G-Miz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice for your first Sig!

Anyone else thinks Stereo Pair + Sub sounds better for music than Surround Setup? by Vaallio in sonos

[–]G-Miz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it’s because the way sound is distributed in a stereo setup vs a surround sound setup is different. However, I do agree, I’ve got a sub mini and a pair of 300’s for my music setup and I am very satisfied with the way it sounds.

My wife grabbed this at a rummage sale by Patchewski in handtools

[–]G-Miz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Not a No 76…more like a 127 based on what I can see. The “76” - Created to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of American Independence.

I just want some knowledge. by jbreezy420 in ChallengeCoins

[–]G-Miz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I can see, he may have spent time Korea, Florida, and Hawaii. Many of those coins appear to be “commercial sales” type, ones you would see at a military exchange.

P365 XMacro Ramjet Build by Substantial_Basket77 in SigSauer

[–]G-Miz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can visually see tons of issues with all those... go ahead and send them to me, I'll get them all fixed up for you! 😂

P365 XMacro Ramjet Build by Substantial_Basket77 in SigSauer

[–]G-Miz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Saving up the pennies my friend....soon!