Lucas Hoffalt Outinomi

Hello Lucas, can you introduce yourself and tell us how you came to specialize in Japanese tools?

After graduating from ENSAD, I quickly realized I wanted to work as a "designer/craftsman," creating my own pieces and making custom work. As a student, I was primarily interested in metal. It was the time of Tolix's resurgence, and there was a huge amount of furniture made from laser-cut and bent sheet metal. However, I also had custom orders, mostly for interiors, so it was only natural that I started working with wood, both panel and solid wood. With limited resources and space, hand tools were my only option, and that's how I discovered Japanese saws and chisels.

There is often a learning curve before one can truly "tame" a Japanese tool: sharpening, grip, posture. What does this say about the relationship between the craftsman and their tool?

Indeed, Japanese tools do require a certain finesse, that's quite true. They require a whole series of adjustments. They are rudimentary tools, yet their settings are subtle, whether it's sharpening or the way the components fit together. In reality, this doesn't necessarily reveal the craftsman's skill. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to visit many workshops. And I must say that the equation: perfect tools = master craftsman is not always the case.

However, the way a craftsman treats these tools reveals the interest and attention they bring to the creative and manufacturing process. And in this sense, I would say that among designers who produce their own pieces, there can be a harmony between the tool, the gesture, and the finished work.

Maintenance is also an integral part of the tool's culture. What advice would you give to someone using these tools for the first time?

You must sharpen your own tools. Start this practice as early as possible. Read the reference books on the subject (Toshio Odate – Dale Brotherton). Sharpen in the evening or on weekends, never at the beginning of your workday.

You created Outinomi in 2022. Is there a tool that you can't find and that you dream of offering one day?

I don't have too much trouble finding certain types of tools. What I really dream of is being able to showcase the work of master craftsmen: "Shokunin" such as Yamamoto (for kanna), Hiroki (for hammers)... The tricky part is that these artisans produce very few pieces; their order books are full. They understandably prioritize the Japanese market, so there can be a waiting list of two to three years. But I haven't given up hope, and I think I'll find some solutions during my next trip to Miki.

The title of this selection, Gestures and Tools, places the body before the object. Do you think that a Japanese tool truly transforms the gesture of the person holding it?

Yes, that's such a logical point. The shape, ergonomics, and craftsmanship of Japanese tools are so different; each tool requires a specific movement for a specific function. I think the quality of a tool's construction earns the attention of certain craftspeople. When you cherish a tool, you appreciate the moments spent using it.

Of the 7 tools in the selection, is there one whose story you would particularly like to tell?

Kiridashi are more than just knives. When you're lucky enough to own a good kiridashi (made of double-layered, high-carbon steel) and know how to sharpen it properly, it's a pure pleasure. What I particularly appreciate about these tools, like those forged by Sakamitsu, is their weight and thickness. The feel in the hand is unique; they have no equal.

In recent decades, the price of "vintage" Kiridashi has skyrocketed, partly due to Western collectors who can afford to spend hundreds of euros on a rare piece: Hidari Hisasaku, Iwasaki, Kikuo kanda, Sato San…

What fascinates me about this tool, and what can be found in many Japanese tools, is the wide variety of shapes and finishes that this simple tool can take. The great 19th-century master Chiyotsuru Korehide (1874-1957) He invented everything in this field; each style, each shape of tool was then adopted by countless artisans, like so many schools of thought. In short, it's the anti-cutter, durable and transmissible.

The tools in this selection can be found in our online store..