Thanks to the wonders of modern steroid injections, my thumb is back in order and not reminding me (as much) of the torture to which us baby boomers have subjected our bodies over the decades.
In honor of such, I am proud, pleased as punch and even delighted to review Kerry Pierce's new book from Schiffer Publishing:
HAND PLANES IN THE MODERN SHOP
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3558-7
by Kerry Pierce
Full disclosure: Kerry contacted me some time ago about using a few images from the Toolemera website. As is my wont, I agreed without hesitation. Then, as is the way of things in the world of publishing, I waited with bated breadth for the book to be published.
My bating was amply rewarded by what I have found to be the most enjoyable and educational modern read on just about every aspect of hand planes that I can think of, and some that I didn't think of.
Kerry is a practicing furniture-maker and prolific author. In past days, he would have been termed "A Practical Woodworker". In even paster days, he would have been "A Practical Mechanick". In his shop there is a blend of power machinery and hand tools, melded in a sensible and, shall we say, practical manner.
So why do I like this book so much? I'm a hand tool nut but I also have a decent background in shop machinery. Kerry discusses hand planes in light of the sense and sensibility of their inclusion in the modern shop. Sometimes you need a few electrons and sometimes a hand tool will be the better fit.
Let me say that Kerry is unbiased in his biases. Modern plane manufacturer or old timer, his discussions focus on the practicality and application of the tool to the job. It's refreshing to read of modern tools and old tools in the same paragraph with an ear towards their strengths and weaknesses. It's even more refreshing to read of Kerry's highly practical and down-to-bedrock (the geology type, not the plane type) views on everything from selection to fettling to sharpening.
Myths are de-mythologized and micrometers are cast aside as he relates, in a most sympathetic and explicit manner (rated OK for Kids), the whys and wherefores of the use and integration of hand planes in the modern woodworking shop.
Chapters
- A brief history of planemaking
- Bench planes
- Joinery planes
- Molding planes
- Block planes
- Scrapers
- Routers
- Shop-Made planes
- Modern Planemakers
- Restoring antique planes responsibly
- Plane collecting
- Illustrated gallery
- Trouble-shooting your planes
Of particular pleasure to a plow plane addict such as myself is the chapter on the mechanics and use of both traditional and modern plow planes. Except for the #55, which is accurately consigned to the shelf of Rube Goldberg inventions.
The Illustrated Gallery is a pleasure unto itself. Dozens of plane types are here in glorious full color photographs. No simple text glossary, but a true photo gallery of lots of modern, classic, traditional and often down-right beautiful planes.
I've included an Amazon link in the sidebar or you can buy the book from most any reputable and even some disreputable book sellers.
Till next, Gary
