The hands behind the tools
I’m Jamie, founder of East West Tools in Fremantle, Western Australia. I started this business to share the tools I use and believe in. Tools made with care, not shortcuts. What began as a search for better gear turned into a way to connect people to real craftsmanship, honest service, and lasting quality.
I'm a cabinet maker by trade and a gardener at heart. I started EastWest Tools because I couldn’t find the kind of tools I trusted, the ones that felt right in the hand and lasted through real work.
That search led me to Japan, where toolmaking is still treated as a craft. What began as a personal obsession became something bigger, a way to support small makers and share meaningful tools with others who care about how things are made.
What i've learned
I was introduced to Japanese tools during my apprenticeship. I still use the same mentori kanna (chamfer plane), that my boss gave me back then.
It taught me something simple but important. When a tool is made with care, you don’t need to replace it. You maintain it. You learn from it. It becomes part of your hands.
That approach has shaped the way I work and what I choose to use. Most tools today are made to be thrown away. The ones I sell are made to be kept.
What I stand for
EastWest Tools is built on a few things I don’t compromise on — honesty, respect, and craftsmanship.
• I won’t sell anything I wouldn’t use myself
• I treat every customer the way I’d want to be treated
• I’m always learning, and I love helping others do the same
This business isn’t just about tools. It’s about people, relationships, and passing on the knowledge that keeps good work alive.
The road ahead
This is just the beginning.
My goal is to build something bigger than a store, space for people to learn, work, and connect. I plan to open a physical workshop and teaching space here in Western Australia, where anyone can come to set up and care for their tools, work on projects, or just spend time around others who enjoy using their hands.
I also plan to bring Japanese master carpenters here to run courses and demonstrations, sharing their skills in person and helping pass on techniques that would otherwise disappear.
Eventually, I want to create a space that offers not just tools, but a cultural experience. A space that celebrates tradition, teaches practical skills, and welcomes anyone with a genuine interest in learning and making — no matter your background.
"I started East West Tools to honour the makers and traditions that value patience, skill, and tools made to last a lifetime"