Hardware Day with Hardware S222tore Nagai
Do you know what day June 1st is in Japan?
It is apparently, “Hardware Day”, which was made by the Japanese hardware industry to raise awareness for bolts and screws.
It is no secret that us bike mechanics are always working with bolts to build and repair bikes. I asked how much hardware is used on a single bike to everybody’s favorite A.I. chatbot, Chatgpt, and it said that the average road bike uses about 50 screws to assemble.
I am assuming that the Everyday Bikes we build, which usually has racks baskets and kickstands should have nearly 100 pieces of hardware. To be honest, it doesn’t really feel like I’m using that many per a bike, but I’m sure it’s because we never thought about counting.
When it comes to hardware for us Blue Lug Kamiuma staffs, we think of Hardware Store Nagai, is the first place that comes up to our mind. (Their YouTube Channel is a work of art.)
They have been in business for 60 years. 60 years of selling only hardware in Tokyo. Their shop is legendary at this point.
The shop is filled, I mean FILLED, with all kinds of nuts, bolts and screws and it’s extremely well organized. Each hardware are available in different sizes, shapes, and different variations of finishes.
We would frequently pay them a visit and purchase the hardware to use at the workshop. What’s crazy is that you can take one screw and ask 100 of the same one and they’ll just have it.
And now…we finally collaborated and made a few fun products.
A t-shirt with their iconic store sign printed on the chest with Blue Lug’s name with a M5 screw on the upper back.
(The logo was apparently designed by the predecessor of the shop)
We also made stickers with the same design. I think it’s a great size for tool boxes and car bumpers. Hell, you can even put them on the door of your workshop.
Hope this collaboration would make you think about hardware more often. (Top left is the current owner of the shop, Nagai-san)
Thanks everybody who acted for this masterpiece.
Releasing at the Blue Lug Kamiuma on May 31st (Sat) 12:00pm-
Going live online from June 1st (Sun) 7:00pm
These “Screw Characters” displayed in the shop are Nagai-san’s work of art. I’m always impressed with his works whenever I visit the shop and see a new one. I highly recommend checking out the shop when you visit Blue Lug Kamiuma. (They’re only opened on the weekdays)
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Look at this snake he made for the year of snake. (Zodiac of the year 2025)
My personal favorite hardware from the shop has to be this spacer that works perfectly with the light mount of Pass And Stow racks.
Some of you may be confused, but if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to do these fun hacks and builds here at Blue Lug Kamiuma.
Thank you Nagai-san!!
