Old Ways of Working Wood: The Techniques and Tools of a Time Honored Craft

When I first saw the book I was disappointed, because I was expecting a much bigger book. It is intended as a gift for my husband, who collects antique tools and is interested in how they were used, as well as interested in using the techniques himself. I didn't see how the book could contain all the information it said it did. But when I looked inside, I was happily surprised. The paragraphs seem very detailed and full of information, and the line drawings are clear and concise. I will not get a chance to read the book, as it is a gift, but I am proud to be giving it to my husband.

This book can be the start of a great hobby that will reward you with truly handcrafted products. It will give you a lot of respect for the wooden furniture of the olden days and also even more respect for the power tools we use today. If you love woodworking then I can not recommend this book more highly as it will show you it all began. There is something special about working wood with a hand tool into a fine piece of furniture that will make a great addition to your home. I was very pleased with how information is presented in this book and it is very easy to read and understand.

This book is a nice overall survey and is useful for both those who are lightly interested in the subject as well as those who are interested in a place to start a whole exploration of the subject. Alex Bealer also has a book on blacksmithing for those who lean that way. Overall, a very good starter book, or even a nostalgia book for those of us who remember country living. Recommended , of course. See also, Eric Sloane.

I consider this a companion to his landmark history book on blacksmithing. Have been making my own wood turning and carving tools for a little while and this book makes spoke shaves and other edged tools less mysterious to make and use. Paul Sellers U Tube videos are complemented by reading this book. Harry Rogers U tube videos on bodgering and green wood working are given depth and breadth by this book. A used copy should be in every hobby smith's and every prepper's reference library.

I bought this for my husband as it was on his wishlist, and he says he loves it even more than he thought he would. He's begun making furniture and completed two adirondack chairs and a table, the second chair after reading this book and using hand tools, and the second ended up much better. He says the techniques this book teaches are extremely helpful!

If you could have only one book on primitive wood working tools and skill sets, this would be " that book ". It's a hard cover with good layman definitions and instructions on how and why the tools and skill sets were used and the evolution of both. This book also has easy to understand illustrations of every subject discussed. This was the first book that I bought on the subject. Every other book that I have purchased on primitive wood working has paled in comparison. A great book, one of my most cherished.

This was a gift for my son-in-law, who is retired and makes beautiful things out of wood. I did browse through it and thought that it had more text and fewer drawings than I would have wanted, but I think that he'll enjoy reading it through the stormy weather in March. Thanks.

The illustrations, which are drawn by Mr. Bealer, are not at the level of Eric Sloane, but there is a lot of information in the book for the tooliophile (is that a word?). It also seems that much of the information that Mr. Bealer presents in the book was gleaned by actually speaking to the old timers who practiced the crafts of old. Books like this do help to see to it that our history is not lost to technological progress and who knows, some of this information may be good to have in the future.

This book is excellent. Everything I was looking for.

My Hubby has found this to be very informative historically, dont buy this assuming it will teach you how to use tools but more a historic look at hand tools and their uses, what the local joiner was expected to do in a small village

Very interesting book. Informational texts and beautiful illustrations give a vintage tone in this edition.

Nice book.