FAVORITE HAND TOOLS
These are the tools that I use or have used. They are my favorites and ones that I can confidently recommend. I compiled this list as a resource for people looking for my recommendations.
Hand Saws
JAPANESE PULL SAWS
Japanese pull saws are what I started out with as they are much more affordable than new "Western saws". They can use a much thinner blade which gives you a much thinner saw kerf because they cut on the pull stroke while the blade is in tension. They are extremely accurate, blades are cheap to replace, and an absolute pleasure to use. Japanese Saws are still my go to for almost all of my sawing needs.
Japanese Dovetail Saw.
I personally worked with Suizan to develop this saw and its AMAZING! Fine rip teeth perfect for dovetails
Standard Ryoba Saw.
This is my favorite all-purpose saw. Rip and Crosscut sides. I use this for initial cuts and sometimes even joinery.
Flush Cut Saw
This saw doesnt have teeth "set" which allows you to make flush cuts against wood without marring your work.
Large Ryoba Saw.
The "Ryoba" has rip cut on one side and crosscut on the other. I use this larger saw on very larger boards and timbers.
Fine "Crosscut" Joinery Saw.
This saw has an ultra thin blade like the dovetail saw but it has crosscut teeth. I pair this with the dovetail saw for my fine joinery.
Dedicated Crosscut
The Kataba saws are for crosscutting boards to length. They are a little more accurate and smoother than a ryoba.
WESTERN SAWS
Western Back Saws cut on the push stroke rather than the pull stroke like Japanese saws. Choosing push or pull is really just a personal preference. Here are some saws that I have personally used and can stand behind.
Veritas Saws
Lie Nielsen Saws
Rob Cosman Saws
SPECIALTY SAWS
Fret Saw
by Knew Concept
My favorite for removing dovetail waste.
Coping Saw
Also can be used for removing waste, but blade isn't as fine as a fret saw.
Flush Cut Saw
Great from cutting dowels and tenon flush. The teeth have no set to scratch surface.
Chisels
Stanley Sweetheart Set
Timeless socket style design.
Irwin Marples Set
Another classic brand that still makes nice chisels that are affordable.
Crown Set
The chisel set that I first started with.
Veritas PM-V11 Chisels
My current go-to chisels
Narex Mortise Set
Heavy duty set for chopping mortises.
Japanese Chisels
These hand made japanese chisels by Matusuma are my favorites
** If you have the time and desire to restore old hand planes I would highly recommend trying that out. It is very rewarding bringing an old hand plane back to life. There are many great videos and articles online on how to do this and what to look out for when shopping for old planes. Great places to look are at your local antique stores, flea markets, and ebay. Otherwise here are some good new planes to get started with.
Low-Angle Jack Plane
A jack plane is the first plane I would get.
Hand Planes
Smoothing Plane
The highest selling plane of all time and another must own.
Block Plane
Another must have plane, great for chamfers and small touch ups.
Jointer Plane
For flattening larges surfaces and edges.
Shoulder Plane
Great for squaring up shoulders and cheeks on tenons.
Router Plane
Allows you to cut to exact depths. Super useful.
Lie Neilsen Planes
High end planes in the traditional Stanley design.
Veritas Hand Planes
Very nice high end planes.
PM-V11 Blades
I replace most of the blades in my planes to the Veritas PM-V11 blades.
Sharpening Tools
They are behind the scene tools, but without good sharpening equipment your cutting tools will not perform properly. Dull tools are more dangerous and lead to frustration. Proper sharpening equipment is as vital as the cutting tool itself.
Extra Coarse Diamond Stone
Used to shape blade, set primary bevel, and quickly remove chips.
4000/8000 Combo Wetstone
Love this stone! I use this to create my secondary bevel. Its hones an extremely sharp edge.
Simple Honing Guide
Great for learning or re-establishing bevel angles.
Lapping Fluid
Good for using on Diamond stones to prevent rusting.
Leather Strop
I use this as my final step to polish the edge to a razor finish.
Work Sharp Tool Sharpening System
An all-in-one sharpening system for almost any kind of woodworking tool.
Miscellaneous
Mallet
My absolute favorite mallet. Its rubberized head wont mark or damage wood or your tools.
Carving Tool Set
A high quality set that can do most carving jobs.
Marking Knife
A must for laying out accurate joinery.
Wheel Marking Gauge
A very useful tool for accuate layout. Several companies make them.
Mortise Marking Gauge
It makes laying out mortise and tenons way easier. I prefer this style to wheel M&T Guages.
Saw Rasp
This type of rasp is made by combining several saw blades and works incredibly well.
Rasp
Important tool for shaping wood by hand. This is a good general rasp to start with.
Scraper Set with Burnisher
Used to get a smooth finish on difficult woods and grain orientations.
Flat Spokeshave
Great for shaping and rounding edges.
Round Bottom Spokeshave
Used to remove material on curved pieces.
Drawknife
For rough quick wood removal and shaping.
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