Power Grip – Japanese Cutting Tool – U 6mm

Power Grip Japanese U Gouge – 6 mm

This individual Power Grip carving tool has a rounded U profile and a nominal blade width of 6 mm. Made by Japanese tool manufacturer Mikisyo, it is a useful addition when a fine gouge removes too little material but you still want to shape a curved channel or hollow with deliberate, controlled cuts.

What does the U profile do?

The curved edge scoops a rounded recess rather than the angular groove made by a V tool. Use it to develop curved textures, open up larger recessed areas or follow the sweep of a carved shape. The finished mark depends on the depth, angle and direction of your cut; the 6 mm specification describes the tool size, rather than promising a fixed-width mark in every situation.

For a carving project with both fine lines and open areas, this wider U gouge can work alongside smaller U tools, a V tool or a knife. Plan the important boundaries first, then remove material in manageable passes so you can check the developing surface.

Blade and handle

Mikisyo specifies a two-layer steel-and-iron blade and a cherry-wood handle for this size. The Power Grip handle is shaped to help the carver apply pressure. The maker finishes the blades by hand, hardens them throughout and states that they can be resharpened, giving you an edge that can be maintained as part of regular tool care.

Choosing and using the tool

Try a few cuts on an offcut of your chosen wood before committing to the final piece. Experiment with shallow cuts, changes of direction and the amount of material removed in each pass. Keep the edge clean and dry after use, and protect it from contact with other tools during storage.

The manufacturer’s image illustrates the Power Grip U-gouge range; this listing supplies the 6 mm size.

Helpful guides

• How to cut and carve lino
• Sharpening and caring for lino cutting tools