Traditional Woodworking Handtools: A Manual for the Woodworker [Paperback]

Graham Blackburn (Author)

Book Description

Series: Traditional | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

Graham Blackburn's new encyclopedia covers every aspect of choosing, rehabilitating, and getting the most out of traditional handtools for woodworking. In this age of machines, handtools remain the best way, and are often the only way, of creating beautiful details, perfect fit, and final finish. Handtools liberate the furnituremaker, builder, and general woodworker from the limited artistic vocabulary of machinery. With handtools, there are no technical limits.

Traditional Woodworking Handtools explains how to set up and use each tool, and puts the tool in the context of the complete woodworking process. Blackburn includes interesting historical information as well as telling anecdotes drawn from his forty-year career at the bench. Readers will come away with not only the knowledge they need to improve their own woodworking, but also a deeper appreciation of their craft and its role in the construction of civilization. (81/2 X 11, 384 pages, illustrations, diagrams)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For speed and production, power tools are the norm in many woodshops, professional and amateur. But a growing number of woodworkers are developing a renewed interest in the use of traditional hand tools for personal satisfaction, the pleasure of hands-on work, and a more leisurely, contemplative approach to woodworking.

Blackburn has assembled a virtual encyclopedia of traditional woodworking tools, setting-out tools, sawing tools, planes, edge tools, striking tools, and boring tools. He entertains as well as instructs the reader with anecdotes from his many years of personal experience as a master woodworker. More than a manual for woodworkers, this is also a reference guide for people who collect beautiful, historic hand tools, and the hundreds of line drawings of hand tools are a delight. --Mark A. Hetts

From the Publisher

The fully illustrated reference guide to all the major handtools--a must for any woodworker's library. 400 line drawings.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558218742
• ISBN-13: 978-1558218741
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for the beginner or advanced, February 19, 2000

By 

Matt Mulka - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traditional Woodworking Handtools: A Manual for the Woodworker (Paperback)

I found blackburn's book to be extremely helpful in my woodworking, most of which I do with hand tools. The book is well organized and covers more info than most will ever use. His description of sharpening handsaws simplified the process exponentially for me, and now I follow his advice to sharpen my own saws. Blackburn's book reflects his extensive background in woodoworking and his simple writing style makes the book a pleasure to read and one you will go back to time and time again. Highly recommended as a basis for a woodworking library.