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, trust and believe are worth owning. Not disposable garden hardware. Not mass-market workshop gear dressed up as something special. Just well-made Japanese tools from small makers, chosen because they feel right in the hand and hold up to real work.

I’m a cabinet maker by trade and a gardener at heart. That background shapes what I look for: clean cutting edges, good balance, practical design and tools that can be maintained instead of thrown away.

East West Tools began with a simple problem. I couldn’t easily find the Japanese tools I wanted in Australia, especially from smaller workshops with a real maker story behind them. So I started sourcing them myself.

What began as a personal search has become a way to connect Australian gardeners, woodworkers and tool users with the kind of craftsmanship that is still made with care.

What I’ve learned

I was introduced to Japanese tools during my apprenticeship. I still use the same mentori kanna, a small chamfer plane, that my boss gave me back then.

That tool taught me something important: a good tool is not just about sharpness. It is about feel, control and the relationship you build with it over time.

Japanese tools often ask a little more from the owner. Carbon steel needs to be kept clean and dry. Edges need touching up. Handles and pivots need care. But that is part of the value. These are tools designed to be used, maintained and kept working.

That is the standard I try to bring into East West Tools.

Why East West Tools exists

Most of the tools I stock come from small Japanese workshops, family makers and specialist manufacturers. Some are hand-forged. Some are small-batch. Some are simple working tools made for everyday use.

I do not stock everything I can get. I choose tools that make sense for Australian gardens, workshops and hands.

That means pruning tools that cut cleanly. Shears that balance well. Saws that work properly. Knives and carving tools with a clear purpose. Care products that help people look after what they buy.

The goal is not to sell the most tools. It is to help customers choose the right tool and understand how to keep it working.

What you can expect

East West Tools is a small specialist store, not a warehouse brand.

Stock is held locally in Perth, checked before dispatch and packed with care. If a tool needs explaining, I try to explain it clearly. If a customer needs help choosing, I would rather point them to the right tool than push the most expensive one.

Every product page, maker page and guide is built around that idea: understand the tool first, then buy with confidence.