Mr. Tokuno misunderstood the inquiry, or perhaps himself was not aware of the true situation - that Japanese carvers also use a series of knives sharpened in different ways to suit different situations.

He was correct when he stated that all these knives are of the same type - they are the same type of handle, the same type of blade, the same size, etc. But the cutting edge is bevelled at a greater or lesser angle as needed: sharply to produce a point that will 'travel' around tiny circles easily, or at a low angle to produce an edge that will stay on straight lines, etc.