# STL264: This doctor prescribes Japanese tools

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2022-04-22
- Length: 1h 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools

## Summary

Wilbur Pan, an oncologist and editor at Fine Woodworking, discusses his blog Giant Cypress and his approach to Japanese woodworking tools, emphasizing their practical mechanics over mysticism. He explains the metallurgical differences between traditional laminated Japanese steel and modern Western single-piece steel, and details how industrial history shaped these tool designs. Pan also demonstrates a specific technique for using a Stanley No. 4 plane to reduce tear-out by reading end-grain and skewing the blade, while offering advice on buying Japanese chisels and using Dzuki saws.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools#t=6) Introduction and Wilbur Pan's Background
- [12:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools#t=721) The Philosophy of Japanese Tools vs. Western Tools
- [34:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools#t=2064) Metallurgy: Laminated Steel vs. Single-Piece Steel
- [47:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools#t=2876) Choosing Japanese Chisels and Steel Types
- [52:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools#t=3155) Technique: Skewing a Stanley Plane to Reduce Tear-Out
- [1:08:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools#t=4116) Using Dzuki Saws and Two-Handed Technique

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Giant Cypress (other)
- Stanley No. 4 (tool)
- Fujajiro (other)
- Heated Tool (other)
- Lee Nielsen (other)
- Narex (other)
- Veritas (other)
- Stumac (other)
- Dzuki (tool)
- Grizzly (other)
- Lee Valley (other)
- Pony Jorgensen (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 332: Plywood is good](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-11-27-episode-332-plywood-is-good) (Making It)
- [Episode 297: I’m not sick, just 53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-26-episode-297-im-not-sick-just-53) (Making It)
- [438: It Feels Like a Big Boy Saw](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-04-19-438-it-feels-like-a-big-boy-saw) (Making It)
- [361: It’s complicated](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-07-08-361-its-complicated) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-04-22-stl264-this-doctor-prescribes-japanese-tools. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.