Tsunesaburo - Tsunesaburo 48mm Blue Paper Steel Smoothing Plane - Akio Uozumi

During a recent trip to Japan we visited with Akio Uozumi, a third-generation plane blade maker in the Tsunesaburo family of blacksmiths – the best known and most respected plane makers in Japan. The family built a reputation on providing what customers want and need versus following the traditional course. This dedication to the customer has resulted in their planes being embraced by a new generation of woodworkers in both Japan and the United States.

The family name is a combination of the word Tsune, meaning “always,” and Saburo, the name of the original maker, Akio’s grandfather, Mr. Saburo Uozumi.

This plane is made from the finest blue paper steel, with a Japanese White Oak dai (body). A smoothing plane is used to smooth the roughness and tears of a wooden surface. Compared to a block plane, a smoothing plane has a bigger body and can be used to smooth large boards and lumbers. The chipbreaker, which is the second blade that comes with the plane, breaks the wood fibers immediately after they are cut and reduces tears.