When you want to create a joint using your chisels , you need to make very precise layout lines and the marking – striking knife is the woodworking tool for the job .

You need a very precise “path” for your chisel and this line – “path” should be made from a very sharp and well made , marking knife .

Going to create your dovetail joint , you’ll see that the tail part needs a marking knife that can “penetrate” to tight areas , in order to make the layout .

Something to be aware off ?

One major thing you should be aware , is that your marking / striking knife should have a hardened enough and a well made edge and won’t bent its shape , when you’ll go and sharpen them . So try to avoid the super cheap and “basic”marking knives .

So let’s see some of my suggestions for you :

The Takagi Gisuke with Safety Sheath 3.0 inches (75 mm) .

I like very much this Japanese Sakura handle marking knife , as i like and respect very much the Japanese approach to forging steel . You can check its price on Amazon in here .

It’s a single bevel knife and a very well sharpened one . It has a very good steel alloy quality and it cuts wood very smoothly .

This Kiridashi knife is an excelent choice for its price and its easiness to use, carve – mark – split wood , will make your woodworking life way easier and efficient .

Is there is something they can improve to it ?

Yes, they can maybe make the covering cap more tight in order not to “escape from your pockets .

Is there is something that you’ll like very much ?

The general wooden approach and feeling in your hands , except the very good quality of the steel and its marking abilities . When Japanese make blades of any kind , they give them a unique “aura” .

The HYDE 20250 Short Point Knife, 2-1/2-inch .

Many woodworkers find it very comfortable to have these short edge marking knife , because you can use it to mark and slice wood in tiny places and corners , especially inside the dovetails .

You can check it an buy it on Amazon in here .

Its general shape and the very comfortable wooden designed handle , are big easiness factors , are very marking helpful and “match ” to any hand .

This sickle , “druid” type of point is very helpful to shape a joint and make correction inside a dovetail . It also has a nice high quality and hardened , carbon steel blade for extreme precision .

Many woodworkers find it very practical to have one of the below marking wood sets and i also have one and i use it when i want “surgical” marking results many blade options and ALL in ONE place .

The Excel Blades Professional Set – Wooden Box .

This very comfortable marking set is very useful when you want to have many blade options and you don’t want to search them in a messy toolbox with “million” other blades , marking knives and carpentry tools .

I like this “all in one place” approach and you can see more and buy it on Amazon in here .

It comes with the Excel Blades company quality and all these blades are double honed carbon steel . The set is light weighted , won’t catch a big area in your toolbox and you can carry it everywhere super easy .

If you want to check a complete list of very fine marking knives , having the well known Japanese quality see the Kiridashi area on Amazon in here .

Keep woodworking and never stop .