Traditional Woodworking Handtools: A Manual for the Woodworker

Graham Blackburn was born and educated in London, England, then lived for several years in Cologne and Madrid before moving to New York to continue his studies at the Juilliard School. While pursuing a career as a professional musician that saw him play in numerous bands, including Van Morrison¿s, he built several homes in Woodstock, NY, including his own. His first book, Illustrated Housebuilding, was published in 1974. Since then, in addition to operating a custom furnituremaking shop in California and New York, and lecturing and teaching at major craft and art schools and woodworking shows across the US, he has been a long-time columnist for Popular Woodworking and a contributing editor to Fine Woodworking. He has also served as editor-in-chief of Woodwork magazine.

For speed and production, but not necessarily quality, power tools are the norm in many amateur workshops. However, thanks to the maker movement, there is renewed interest among crafters and woodworkers in using traditional handtools. The personal satisfaction, the pleasure of hands-on work, and the more leisurely, contemplative approach to woodworking is replacing the need for the speed and noise of power tools.


In Traditional Woodworking Handtools, the second volume in his Illustrated Workshop Series, Graham Blackburn has assembled a virtual encyclopedia of traditional woodworking handtools, including holding tools, saws, planes, edge tools, setting-out tools, boring tools, and striking tools. Each tool is listed and includes a full description of what it does and how it¿s used. His engaging writing, which includes anecdotes from his four decades as a master woodworker, entertains as well as instructs. And the hundreds of line drawings of handtools are illuminating. While also a reference for anyone collecting or simply fascinated by handtools, Traditional Woodworking Handtools is a user¿s guide for the woodworker and crafter, designed to help reintroduce many of these tried-and-true tools into today¿s workshops.

Introduction: Tried & True



Holding Tools: The Classic Workbench: Clamps, Cramps, & Pin Vices; Miter Trimming



Setting Out Tools: Measuring & Marking Tools; The Square; Bevels; Gauges



Sawing Tools: Handsaws; Sawfitting & Sawing; Framed Saws; Backed Saws



Planes: Wooden; Bench Planes; Successful Plane Racing; Scrub, Jack, & Jointer; The Smooth Plane; The Jack Plane; Block, Miter, Bullnose, & Chariot; The Rabbet Plane; The Dado Plane; The Plough; Sash Fillisters; Match Planes; Badgers & Panel Raisers; Moulding Planes; Hollows & Rounds; Beading Planes;



Edge Tools: Adzes, Axes, & Hatchets; The Scraper; Old Chisels; Mortise Chisels; Carving Tools; Spokeshaves, Shaves, & Drawknives; Pre-electric Routers; Chamfering Devices;



Boring Tools: Boring Tools; Bits & Pieces; Threading Tools;



Miscellaneous Tools: Striking Tools; Bench-Top Accessories