Day 1

Here I am with my first project in the Hand Tool Heaven class at Port Townsend School of Woodworking. It's a straightedge. Absolutely no power tools used.

When we were told to round off the top edge with a spokeshave, I asked if we would be using sandpaper to finish it. The instructor told me we could use sandpaper after 5:00 pm on Friday. Guess what time the class ends! He then explained that all the tools we were using are so sharp that the cut wood is smoother than any sandpaper can make it.

I was quite tired by the end of the day -- making shavings with hand tools takes a lot more effort than using power tools!