#9 関孫六 仕上げ鉋 Sekimagoru Smoothing Plane (Kanna) by Sekikawa Seikichi

Based in Echigo Yoita—a historic center of Japanese cutlery—the Sekikawa family has specialized in handcrafted planes for generations. Founded by Sekikawa Rinkichi, whose exceptional blacksmithing skills and dedication to sharpness were passed down to his son Sekikawa Seikichi, the craft continues to be held in high regard by traditional tool enthusiasts and craftsmen alike. Their planes, bearing the marks Sekimagoroku and Echigo no Jūnin Sekirin, are prized for their superior cutting performance and ease of sharpening—achieved through the use of premium steels such as Aogami No. 1 and Kamaji (ancient forged iron) as the base metal.

Craftsman/職人: Seikichi Sekikawa · 関川誠吉

Place/地域: Echigo Yoita・越後与板打刃物

Steel/鋼: Blue Paper No.1・青紙一号

Jigane/地金: Wrought iron(Kamaji)・釜地

Blade angle/刃角: about 24°

Chipbreaker width /裏金幅: 60mm・54mm

Chipbreaker angle/ 裏金刃角: about 23°