Mori Saya chisels set with White steel / 杜 清玄作 鞘造り鑿 白紙一号鋼

Mori Seigen Saya Chisel Set – White Steel #1 | Echigo Yoita

A rare and exquisite 3-piece Japanese saya chisel set (saya-nomi / 鞘造り鑿) by master craftsman Seigen (清玄作) of Echigo Yoita (越後与板打刃物). The saya style features a distinctive tapered, sheath-like body that reduces friction and allows for precise, controlled cuts in tight spaces — a hallmark of the finest Japanese joinery chisels.

Forged from white steel #1 (Shiro-ichi / 白紙一号) — the purest and most demanding of the traditional Japanese carbon steels — these chisels achieve a mirror-sharp edge that is the benchmark for serious woodworkers and collectors alike.

Specifications

• Craftsman:  Seigen (清玄作)
• Origin: Echigo Yoita (越後与板打刃物)
• Steel: White steel #1 (Shiro-ichi / 白紙一号) — the finest traditional Japanese carbon steel
• Jigane: Modern soft iron (極軟鉄)
• Blade widths: 24mm / 15mm / 9mm (3-piece set)
• Full length: approx. 380mm
• Handle: Japanese red oak (赤樫)
• Comes with: Paulownia wooden box (桐箱付)

About White Steel #1

White steel #1 (Shiro-ichi) is the highest grade of Hitachi’s traditional white paper steel series — an ultra-pure high-carbon steel with minimal alloying elements. It demands exceptional skill from the blacksmith to forge and heat-treat correctly, but rewards the craftsman with an unrivalled razor-sharp edge and a crisp, responsive feel at the cutting edge. Highly prized by master woodworkers and collectors worldwide.

Notice

As these are entirely handmade, slight individual differences between the actual product and photos may exist.

Perfect For

• 🪚 Master woodworkers and joiners seeking the finest Japanese saya chisels
• 🛠️ Precision joinery, furniture making, and fine detail work
• 🎌 Serious collectors of Echigo Yoita blades and white steel #1 craftsmanship
• 🎁 A once-in-a-lifetime gift — presented in a paulownia box