Classic Hand Tools [Hardcover]

Garrett Hack (Author), John S Sheldon (Photographer), John S. Sheldon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Before the machine age, all woodworking and carpentry was done with hand tools, and an amazing variety of tools evolved for a wide range of tasks. Many of these tools are as elegant as they are ingenious, and Classic Hand Tools celebrates their great heritage in words and pictures.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Once upon a time, woodworkers had to rely upon hand tools exclusively; but recently, the development of power tools relegated hand tools to the status of quaint antiques. In this book, Hack, a contributor to Fine Woodworking and the author of The Handplane Book, rethinks their usefulness. He argues that hand tools are, in some cases, better than their motorized counterparts; they're both quiet and, because they lack motors and generate very little dust, relatively safe. He covers tools of all typesAchisels, planes, saws, hammers, and measuring devices, some plain and others fancy. Not as good as Aldren A. Watson's Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings (Lyons, 1993. reprint.), this book does contain excellent chapters on making and restoring tools and on buying used toolsAand the wealth of beautiful photographs will make even the most casual woodworker salivate. An outstanding book, recommended for all public and academic libraries.AJonathan N. Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561582735
• ISBN-13: 978-1561582730
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #913,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Hand Tools

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOODBUTCHER HEAVEN, January 13, 2004

By 

"brianthebook" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Hand Tools (Hardcover)

Garrett Hack feels that his hand tools have become extensions of
himself and are linked with what he makes and how he makes it. He
also believes that learning about hand tools and how to use them
is part of the pleasure to be gotten from working with wood.

His beautiful and informative book, "Classic Hand Tools", will
convince even the most casual "weekend wood-butcher" that he's
right.

Hack's presentation of hand tools is organized according to their
normal purposes: boring, sawing, planing, marking and measuring,
striking and chiseling and he provides historical insights into
the development of the more common hand tools. For example,
"Striking Tools" starts with axes and hatchets and moves through
twybills and throes to mallets and hammers.

Each major section surveys numerous variants of the class of tools
being dealt with, and covers use, maintenance, sharpening and
tuning. As a bonus, most sections contain informative sidebars
providing advice and tips from the master.

Although the author's bias is for Western tools built before World
War II, he includes explanations and discussion of some Eastern
hand tools and explains what's involved in making your own tools,
buying used tools and strategies for restoring old ones. There's
even a section on workshops, benches and clamps.

This handsome work is illustrated by more than 300 photgraphs and
40 drawings and features an introduction, bibliography and index.

John Sheldon's superb photography more than exceeds the exacting
standards of the Taunton Press.

Garrett Hack, a farmer, tool collector and trained architect, has
been making furniture professionally for more than 25 years. He
is a regular contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're into hand tools, this book is awsome, November 21, 2007

By 

David Churches "TAXI Driver" (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Hand Tools (Paperback)

I highly recommend Classic Hand Tools for many reasons, but in a nutshell it is a book to help me get through the long winter here in Minnesota. I read it randomly and don't mind at all reading parts several times.
Not only is it well written, (I'm a "professional writer" so I'm hard to please) it is beautifully produced with many excellent photos. You get a short course of the history of hand tools... with a special emphasis on planes. Mr Hack also produced a book of this size and quality, specifically about planes. I plan to get that one on also.
The book is not limited to woodworking tools; Hack also touches on black smithing -- the sort that many tradesmen would have had to know in the days before mass-produced tools. Also there is a chapter on how to buy used hand tools.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to hand tools, February 10, 2000

By 

James Robert Pattillo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Hand Tools (Hardcover)

I recieved this book for Christmas and just finished it. It is a great introduction to the use and care of hand tools. It has very informative and interesting side bars and is wonderfully illustrated. It blends the aesthetic with the practical very well. Just one hint: skip over the section on handplanes and just purchase Hack's "Handplane book" which is the definitive book on handplanes.