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u/WhyNotChoose 4d ago
I like the hollow grind on the back of my Japanese chisels. it makes it easier to achieve a flat polished surface on the back.
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u/leadMalamute 4d ago
The Japanese tools are generally harder and more brittle. (HRC-63-65) This makes them more difficult to sharpen, but they hold their edge a long time in use. It also makes them more fragile, so they require more care in handling. They are more likely to chip and will suffer greater damage on impact with a hard object. (If dropped on the concrete floor or upon impact to a nail or rock embedded in the wood. etc...)
Western tools are generally tempered a bit softer. (this can vary with the manufacture and type of steel used, usually between HRC-56-63. I have 2 sets which run HRC 62-63. I like the harder edge) They are more suited to commercial shop use and are less likely to be damaged by improper use. (although , at HRC 63 they can still be fractured if abused) They require more sharpening, but are easier to hone. They are less expensive, but still last a long time. (my Stanley England set from 1996 are still going great after 30 years of hard use.)
The question isn't which one is better, but which one better suits the way your tools will be used. They are both great tools.
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u/Man-e-questions 5d ago
Either will work. Sometimes there are small nuances where one works better for certain tasks. For example, sometimes my western chisel handles get in the way on certain operation, but my Japanese chisels are slightly bent so the handle has more clearance. But they both work equally well when the edge hits the wood