The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools Instruments & Devices

by Graham Blackburn

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools, Devices & Instruments is the first volume in Graham Blackburn’s paperback Illustrated Workshop series. It’s a comprehensive pictorial index of the woodworking handtools common in the Western civilization from eighteenth century to the present. Not only a fascinating record of trades and skills – from cabinetmakers to wheelwrights – in an age before powertools became the norm, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools is also a remarkable tribute to man’s technological ingenuity. More than 600 tools are listed and described, both alphabetically and fully cross-referenced for easy access, from the adze, awl, bevel, and bit to the wrest, yardstick, and zig-zag rule, complete with explicit definitions, interesting etymologies, and fascinating historical information. This classic reference contains more then 570 of Blackburn’s trademark detailed line-drawings, accompanied by an expert’s authoritative text. Whether used a handy guide book to identify a tool and its use, or read simply for enjoyment, this book stands along in capturing the sophisticated beauty and inventiveness of woodworking handtools.

Genres: Woodwork, Nonfiction

238 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is kind of nice for the homey quality and hand drawings. While extensive in the coverage, it ends up being frustrating for the lack of history or real explanation of the development and use of the various tools. It is not really an encyclopedia as such, but rather an illustrated index of woodworking hand tools.

[Graeme Blechburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Graeme Blechburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great