Wari-Kebiki Splitting Gauge

Description

The Wari-Kebiki is an indispensable tool for Japanese shoji-screen makers, who use it to split the material for kumiko strips from wide, thin boards.

The maximum thickness of timber that the Wari-Kebiki can split is about 15-18mm when working in softwoods, or 3-5mm when working in furniture hardwoods.

According to Toshio Odate’s Japanese Tools – Their Tradition, Spirit and Use, there are certainly best practices to follow when using the wari. For example, after splitting a piece off a larger board, the edge of the larger board needs to be planed straight before taking another piece. 

The first pass with the wari also needs to be light, in order to establish a cut for the following heavier passes to follow. In this way, the blade can be prevented from simply following the grain of the timber.

Dimensions:
Arm Length: 255mm
Body Length: 180mm
Height of rebate on body: 20mm