The Woodworker's Guide to Hand Tools by Peter Korn

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Hand Tools Book

The Woodworker's Guide to Hand Tools
by Peter Korn

Paperback: 201 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.53 x 10.00 x 8.02
Publisher: Taunton Pr; (May 1998)
ISBN: 1561582166

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From Booklist: With power tools being hot and sexy and, no doubt, hotly desired, it is refreshing to see a book about tools that are literally unplugged. Korn relays just about everything about the tools to use when the only form of power at hand is elbow grease. Returning to the days before the electric table saw and router may be desirable for some, yet if they want to go really sans electric, they must be willing to search seriously for some of the tools Korn discusses and to put out, too, for the likes of the chisels he presents, which, made in Japan, aren't exactly cheap (price tags can exceed three figures) but, perhaps, are geared more to the collector than the craftsperson. The average weekend warrior stands to gain some historical perspective from the book, even if only for the sake of knowing what that mysterious piece spotted at the local warehouse is really good for. Jon Kartman

Library Journal, March 1, 1998: Known for its well-researched and produced books and magazines, the publisher has produced yet another winner. Korn's new work, detailing the nuances of tools and handwork, is as subtle and comprehensive as his earlier Working With Wood (Taunton, 1993). In ten chapters on individual procedures in woodworking, Korn provides the basic information that generally comes with the purchase of a power tool but is often missing with a hand tool. He fully explores differences between power and hand tools with clear prose and detailed but unobtrusive illustrations. There are many fine power-tool handbooks available, and the present volume can comfortably stand with the best.

Ingram: Here is every hand tool's missing instruction book. Virtually all the hand tools commonly used by the contemporary woodworker or furniture maker are covered in detail. Readers will learn each tool's special uses, what to look for when buying a hand tool, and how to tune and use each tool most efficiently. Organized by alphabetical functional groupings for easy access. 180 drawings.

Customer Reviews
The Woodworker's Guide to Hand Tools, August 7, 2001
Reviewer: Matthew P Boutte from Houston, Tx United States
This is an excellent introductory book for someone new to woodworking, or some one new to hand tools. In fact, I would strongly encourage someone new to woodworking to read this book first and learn as much as they can about using hand tools prior to spending any money on power tools. Some of the tools and techniques are obviously obselete given the development of power tools, but read on. You will be a better craftsman for it. The illustrations in the book are clear and well thought out and I have found them to be very useful. This book would also make an excellent gift for a young person interested in woodworking, but unsure of where to begin.

Worth owning if you're a woodworker, February 1, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from California
Many of the books on woodworking with hand tools were written many years ago. Also they typically concentrate on technique rather than the actual tools. This book is different in that it's modern (even mentioning internet mailing lists and newsgroups for woodworking and tools), and it covers how to select the tools you buy. The book grew on me over time and I'm amazed at how often I return to consult it. I own most of the books in print on the subject but this one is a favourite.

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