Bespoke Toolmaker: Honey Brook Tools

Vermont-based toolmaker Will Adams offers some of the best hand-made tools around.

A marking knife. There are few tools that can, nearly instantly, increase the accuracy of a woodworker’s work. But for Vermont-based toolmaker Will Adams, a marking knife was so much more. His first tool, a marking knife, was made from his great-grandfather’s straight razor and a scrap of walnut. Little did Will know that the simple marking knife would lead to a pursuit to make some of the best hand tools around. And, make no mistake—Will’s are some of the best.

William Adams is the founder of Honey Brook Tools.

Honey Brook Tools

After a long stint in both politics and elementary education (which one might argue are the same career), Will stepped away to launch Honey Brook Tools full-time. While Will explains that the Honey Brook offering is ever-changing and expanding, he currently makes mallets, marking and dovetail knives, marking gauges, split nut drivers, scratch and birdcage awls, as well as winding sticks.

When I first received a shipment of Honey Brook tools, the first thing I noticed was the exquisite turning. Will certainly has a sense of form and shape. As a turner, I tend to be overcritical of turned objects and their shape/form, but I cannot offer any critiques on any of the Honey Brook Tools. That’s astounding, as Will produces (and turns) every tool by hand. As a hand tool junkie, I was pleased to see that Honey Brook Tools offers winding sticks. Honey Brook offers two profiles of winding sticks—a tapered and non-tapered. And, don’t get me started on the boxwood inlay on them. After carefully examining, playing with, and using the Honey Brook tools, I knew I needed to reach out to Will and pick his brain.

A rare manufacturer of winding sticks, Honey Brook offers two profiles.

What need did you see in the tool market?

In recent years there seems to be a real renaissance in small, independent toolmakers. I’ve been really inspired by some of the phenomenal saw makers who, like me, are inspired by classic designs. As I looked around the market I saw that many of the layout tools that are available have a distinctly contemporary look to them. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I’ve found that there’s a real appreciation for tools that have a more classic and vintage look to them, styles that I’m deeply attached to. I believe really strongly in the idea that the tools we use should inspire us. They should feel good in the hand, work flawlessly, and inspire us while we’re using them. That’s my guiding ideal as both a toolmaker and woodworker. There are some really great toolmakers in the market today and one of the many things I love about this community is that we support each other and we enjoy seeing each other succeed.

Each and every Honey Brook Tool is handmade in Will’s shop.

How did you get into making hand tools?

My journey into becoming a full-time toolmaker started with the purchase of my lathe, a late 1940’s Power King made, I think, by Delta. I’d never used a lathe and was really curious about doing so, and I saw this Power King for sale. It was literally still in the shipping crate and had never been used, so I jumped on it. I started turning simple tool handles for files and such in my shop and it just grew from there.

I’ve always been happiest when I’m creating something, be it woodworking, music, baking, or now toolmaking. I’ve become true to myself by being a craftsman. I need to create, it’s just a fundamental part of who I am and it’s a part that I ignored for far too long.  Now, I spend every day in the shop with my shop dog Murphy (Chief Morale Officer), making beautiful tools. That’s just an incredible gift and one I don’t take for granted.

Check out the full range of Honey Brook Tools on their website.