DETAILS: Hardcover: 224 pages Publisher: Taunton (October 1, 1999) Language: English

Garrett Hack makes hand tools which have become an extension of himself and are linked with what he makes and how he makes it, 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. 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. There's even a section on workshops, benches and clamps.
This handsome work is illustrated by more than 300 photographs and 40 drawings and features an introduction, bibliography and index, an absolute must for any hand tool user.