Guides
Owner guides
Practical, no-filler guides for getting the most out of your gear.
Hand-Tool Starter Kit: What to Buy First
The pragmatic first-tool list for new hand-tool woodworkers, from the community debates to the actual choices that get work done.
Sharpening Hand Tools: From Beginner to Enthusiast
The definitive sharpening guide for woodworkers - stone grits, honing guides versus freehand, waterstones versus diamond plates, and the strop that ties it all together.
Narex vs Two Cherries: Choosing Your First Chisel Set
The definitive community comparison of the two most-debated beginner chisel sets, covering steel, geometry, handles, and which one actually suits your budget and goals.
Japanese vs Western Saws: Which Cuts Are Best for Which
The practical guide to choosing between Japanese pull saws and Western backsaws for dovetails, tenons, and joinery work, with honest assessments of where each tradition excels.
Setting Up a Hand-Tool Workbench Under $400
A practical guide to workbench accessories, vises, and holding solutions for hand-tool woodworkers working with a defined budget, from holdfasts to bench dogs.
Best Hand-Tool Gifts for the Woodworker
Smart gift ideas for hand-tool woodworkers at every level, from a beginner who needs sharpening gear to an enthusiast who wants Lie-Nielsen or Veritas quality.
Best Hand Planes for Beginners
Which hand plane to buy first, what the No. 4 versus No. 5 debate is really about, and when to add a block plane or router plane to the kit.
Woodworking Statistics 2026: 23 Key Data Points
A sourced roundup of the numbers behind woodworking and hand tools: the size of the hand tools and woodworking tools markets, DIY home-improvement spending, and craft participation. Every figure is cited to its source.
Best Hand Planes for Woodworking
A complete buying guide to the best hand planes for woodworking, covering the No. 4 smoothing plane, jack planes for stock removal, block planes for end grain, and the specialty planes that earn a place in the kit once your projects demand them.
Best Block Planes
The definitive buying guide to block planes for hand-tool woodworkers, covering bed angle, mouth adjustment, vintage Stanley options, and the one production plane most of the community settles on.
More guides publishing weekly.