I make a selection of top tools - round and square punches, hot cutters, fullers, etc. All top tools are approximately
11 inches in handle length. I attach the handles by drilling the punches, inserting the handle stock, and twisting them until
tight. They will never come out. Round and square punches are tapered to 1/4 inch unless otherwise requested. I use a special
Japanese air hardening steel - SKD 11 - for all my top tools. It is incredibly hard at high heat
and so very suitable for hot use. This steel is similar to D-2 in the U.S. and is quite expensive but worth it in my mind.
Also, I am now having these punches, etc. professionally machined. It costs me even more to offer these now but this is practical
for me since the properties of this steel that make it so good for hot use also make it very difficult to hand hammer or even
grind. These are very nice tools and worth the cost.
|
| My latest style of handled top tools. |
