Kumiko Bench Hook

Over the past 3 weeks I have had the opportunity of presenting a series of Kumiko workshops through Lee Valley Tools. As part of this series, I had certain criteria to work with. Namely a low cost, less intimidating and easy way to create Kumiko components. The other criteria was to remove the power tool component. Not everyone has convenient access to power tools and woodworking machines.

With this in mind, I have developed a sequence of steps to create the outside Kumiko grid as well as a couple of easily made guides to create the beveled inner components. These are the components which form the Kumiko pattern or motif.

I am posting a few images of the new Kumiko Bench Hook, a small Dozuki saw and the resulting bars (strips) with perfectly spaced notches. All created with only hand tools. Since this is an evolving project, there are more images coming with other innovative features to be able to create Kumiko using only hand tools (the traditional way).