Power Grip – Japanese Wood & Lino Carving Tool – U 1.5mm
Small Parcel · £3.99 UK shipping under £45.00 (0–2 kg), free over £45.00. Over 2 kg: £4.99 UK shipping, free over £75.00.
Original price was: £18.00.£9.80Current price is: £9.80.
You save £8.20 off RRP
Browse custom Power Grip tool boxes made by Hickman Design
- Edge width: 1.5 mm – produces ultra-fine rounded channels with smooth, flowing detail.
- Double-laminated Japanese steel – a hard high-carbon core gives lasting sharpness, while softer outer steel absorbs impact and prevents chipping.
- Hand-sharpened, ready to carve – arrives mirror-polished and keen, no need for first-use honing.
- Ergonomic Power Grip handle – its flared middle adds leverage and comfort, easing strain in long cutting sessions.
- Suited for – beginners who need reliable control and experienced printmakers seeking delicate curved cuts and subtle textures.
- Other Sizes: Also available in V 1.5mm, U 1mm and V 1mm versions.
Bring effortless precision to your relief printing with the Mikisyo Power Grip 1.5 mm U-Gouge – a tool where traditional Japanese craftsmanship meets smooth, fatigue-free carving.
In stock (can be backordered)
Frequently bought together.
Trusted by artists.
Product details.
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 fine detail lino 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.
Customer reviews.
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S.Parsons (verified owner) –
I find these 1.5 mm cuttings tools so useful in wood and Lino cutting for intricate work there sharp and stay sharp but are easy to sharpen when slightly blunt