Description
Power Grip U-Gouge — 1.5 mm (Maru-Tō)
Made by Mikisyo Hamono, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Primary use
A precision-crafted U-shaped gouge designed for carving ultra-fine 1.5 mm channels and rounded textures in woodcut, linocut and other relief matrices. It gives printmakers delicate, smooth control where a V-cut would appear too sharp or angular.
Best for
- Rounded hairlines – cut fluid, thread-thin grooves that read cleanly in the print without the severity of a V.
- Soft surface textures – render fur, foliage, stippling or water ripples with natural curvature.
- Subtle shading – scoop away slivers of surface to create gentle tonal transitions or reduction highlights.
- Miniature detailing – carve signatures, small symbols, kento marks and stamp-sized motifs with accuracy.
- Fine clearance – open up tight spaces between letters or borders without cutting harsh edges.
Why it stands out
Forged by Mikisyo Hamono—famed for blending traditional smithing skill with modern metallurgical control—the cutter is a double-laminated billet: a razor-hard high-carbon steel core wrapped in softer supporting steel to balance toughness and edge life. Each 3 cm blade is hand-honed and mirror-polished at the factory, making it truly ready to carve straight from the box.
The 14.5 cm Power Grip handle swells comfortably under the thumb (19 mm) and tapers towards the heel (10 mm), giving a secure yet agile feel. Its pencil-like profile allows fingertip guidance for fine work, while the broader mid-section channels force smoothly for deeper cuts. A shallow scallop underneath provides instant tactile feedback on blade orientation.
Pro tip / Ideal for
Keep a small leather strop on your bench: a couple of light passes with polishing compound will keep the edge singing sharp without taking away metal, extending the tool’s working life for years before any major regrind. New users will enjoy the smooth, predictable bite, while experienced printmakers will value the way the U-profile glides through anything from soft lino to dense hardwood blocks with equal confidence.
