Customer Reviews

Ancient Carpenters' Tools: Illustrated and Explained, Together with the Implements of the Lumberman, Joiner and Cabinet-Maker in Use in the Eighteenth Century

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During his lifetime, Henry Mercer was a lawyer, archaeologist, museum curator, promoter of lost crafts, and collector of a museum's worth (literally) of assorted stuff. One of his many interests was early American woodworking tools.

Ancient Carpenter's Tools is a comprehensive look at 18th and 19th Century American woodworking tools. The book is divided into chapters by function (Measurement, Shaping, etc.) and then by type of tool. As American tools were heavily influenced by their European ancestors, Mercer also includes a history of each tool with references to Medieval and Classical tools. Each tool is illustrated with photographs and drawings.

While this book was originally published in the 1920's (and occasionally shows its age) it remains useful for any student of tool history.

This is not a how-to book. This is not of much practical use whatsoever. It is a great source of the history of hand tools. It is filled with photos and drawings; plus has a running commentary. The slick paper pages make the photos (all black & white) very clear. I have not tried to "read" this. I pick it up from time to time and page through a section and put it down until the next time. I tend to study woodworking more than actually do it, so this was right down my alley.