Japanese veneer cutter / marking gauge

A Kebiki is a Japanese marking gauge.

A Kama Kebiki (not pictured) is a mortise marking gauge (two cutters).

A Wari Kebiki (what we have here) is specifically designed for cutting, slitting, or marking veneer. Or, so I am told by a Japanese hand tool master when I showed him this find. I did not tell him that I paid $5.

This particular marking gauge is from the Fujihisa company. That is why the wing screw has an image of Mt Fuji

The name plate riveted to the side of the plane also says Fujihisa Co

The brand is still around today, though the wing screws are not as ornate.

It fits really well in the hand. I estimate based on a similar Fujihisa on eBay with same Mt Fuji wing screw (except a Kama Kebiki, mortise gauge) going for $85, but without any precedent for sale on this particular item it is hard to say how much it would go for at auction. Not really the point, as I intend to keep it.

The fact that I can remove the cutter and sharpen it like a chisel is interesting because I have not yet figured out how to sharpen those little cutting wheels on modern gauges — so fiddly.

I could be wrong, but I have been looking at that small hole on the other end of the beam and wondering if a Pica pencil will fit in there; or even just a ball-point pen refill