STOCKING UP TOKYO STYLE

apanese tools are well thought of because of their time-tested designs and the high quality of the steels used to make them. During a recent two-week holiday in Tokyo, tool shopping was one of the things we made sure we did. The problem was locating tool shops. On a previous visit, Tokyu Hands — the large, multibranch department store catering to artists and craftspeople — was where I had purchased wood saws, spare blades, and a marking knife. This time my search for replacement saw blades was unsuccessful, as Tokyu Hands now stocks different brands. It did have a very interesting display of knife making kitsets though, and I bought a traditional 0.5m