When I was considering trying to make my own handles, a renowned, professional handle maker recommended I buy Colton’s how-to guide. It was great advice, he was absolutely right, and I recommend it to everyone! Yes, Colton details how to do the entire process by hand but the information is completely applicable no matter how you want to approach it!

I have all the dimension pages printed out and posted at my work bench now.

If you’re thinking about making your own Japanese wa handles, I can’t recommend this guide enough.

I learned everything I needed to know about working with wood and knives from Colton. His methods are easy to follow, intuitive, and best of all traditional. Even now with lots of experience myself and a successful small knife business I still refer to his expertise to refresh my knowledge and solve problems.

Highly recommend to anyone looking to feel more connected to their knives and explore a very rewarding Japanese craft.

This is a very well written and thought out guide to making handles. From tool selection to understanding grain direction this book covers all you need to know to get started making handles. Not only does he list the tools needed but also why he may have a preference for a specific style of tool, this also applies for the methods he uses for constructing handles. I think the information in this could be useful for anyone ranging from novice woodworkers who may have little or no experience to those who already have woodworking knowledge and would like to have a better understanding of Wa handles.

I bought this e-book after countless failures on Wa handles, I have found it easy to follow with great photos and in depth explanations, I fully recommend this book to help with your journey into the Wa handle on japanese knives. 5 stars for sure !!!!

Very well illustrated and easy to follow. I appreciate that it also answers why to do things a certain way, not just a basic how to manual. Well done.