Japanese Vintage Signed Tool Hand Forged Laminated Samurai Steel Masakari Ax

This vintage Japanese Masakari or ono ax was made of hand forged tempered iron 80 years ago by the master Japanese blade maker, Minefusa (see signature picture 2) using the skills of the samurai sword maker hand forging three pieces of steel - soft steel on the outsides and high carbon steel in the middle. In some of the pictures you can actually see the lamination lines. The blade is beveled on both sides and the handle is made of hard Japanese red oak. The long blade has an opening on the backside to allow the carpenter to protect his hand (see picture 1) while doing closeup fine paring work. The backside has a large flat area for pounding (see picture 7). Perhaps the most versatile of all axes. It has been well used yet well loved and is from a period of quality craftsmanship which is seldom seen today. Weighing in at about 3 pounds, the 5 1/2" (14 cm) wide blade is still sharp and the arrow straight 23" (59 cm) red oak handle is still super strong with a warm aged patina.This Masakari ax remains in fine condition . An excellent tool for chopping and splitting and carving. Old world craftsmanship for the new world craftsman! A great collectible ax and still very functional. Built samurai tough of samurai steel to last generations!