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handplane essentials, revised

Thanks for all the great comments – seriously some of the funniest ones I’ve gotten since I started doing these book giveaways. The winner is always chosen at random, but some of you get extra points for effort. Congratulations to mbholden, the winner of this book giveaway. Stay tuned for more exciting book giveaways and if you’re interested in a copy of“Handplane Essentials, Revised & Expanded,” it is currently available at ShopWoodworking.com. 


If you’re serious about woodworking, you know that you’ll likely continue to refine your craft until you wind up in an exquisitely detailed coffin you built yourself – there’s a lifetime’s worth of learning in this avocation. New tools land on the market. New techniques change the way you approach your work. You learn new tricks by talking to other woodworkers.

And that’s exactly the reason “Handplane Essentials, Revised & Expanded” by Christopher Schwarz exists. With this new edition, Chris has added 14 new articles and product reviews based on his evolving ideas about choosing, sharpening and using handplanes.

And here’s your chance to get your hands on a free copy: I have one copy of the book to give away! Simply post a comment and I’ll choose a lucky winner at random (winner will be announced on Monday 4/10). Good luck!

—Scott Francis


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Showing 68 comments
  • ANG

    Love “plane talk” count me in
    ANG

  • rjhanby

    Count me in on the drawing please.

  • David

    I’d love this book.
    thanks!

  • bwmartens

    I’d love to win this! It would come at a perfect time. Thanks!

  • joeben

    I need to learn the plane truth 🙂

  • 433eagle

    I’d love to have this book. Expand my woodworking horizons

  • oasis22

    Could really use the help from Chris.

  • 7-Thumbs

    A free book is always a good thing.

  • Philip_L

    Just getting into hand planes. This would be great!

  • djadeski

    I would love a revised edition – great idea!

  • mbbrogan

    Count me in for the book give away.

  • M C Smith

    “Really sharp metal (plane and chisel blades) can do AYTHING to wood” is an epifany i had early in my career as a finish carpenter/cabinet maker using my freshly sharpened Hock blade in my Record block plane !!! It forever changed how i viewed working with wood and hand tools versus power tools. Its a mantra i share with all the young guys i have the oppurtunity to teach.
    Making wood shavings is a joy, making sawdust is a bothersome chore !

  • wonkothesane

    Yup. I need help with hand planes.

  • Tool Editor

    Especially interested in seeing the new additional information.
    The planes haven’t changed–so what else could’ve been discovered?
    Can’t wait to see…

  • mbholden

    Monty! Monty! Pick me! I’m dressed like a turnip!

  • alpen

    I’d get great use out of this one!

  • forja000

    Would love to have it! Such a great ressource!!

  • Mike

    What little work I’ve done with hand planes is addicting. Now I just need to work on my sharpening and then tackle some tabletop flattening. Thank you for the opportunity to read Chris’ updated book!

  • sirgareth

    Thank you for the contest! I’m just getting started with my first handplane and this would be a great help.

  • chrisdow38

    I just ordered a Stanley #4 handplane yesterday as I’ve been watching a lot of Paul Sellers videos and this book would come in extremely handy!

  • emlamb55

    Chris’ book, The Anarchist’s Tool Chest, got me committed to hand tools and I have built a collection of Stanley Type 11 planes. Would enjoy seeing how Chris has evolved in his thinking.

  • BrianOBoatrightAIA@gmail.com

    It would be nice to get a little better at hand planing.

  • MarkusT

    Was going to buy this book but let’s see maybe luck is on my sidend this time.

  • Pcrawley70

    I inherited my grandfather’s handplanes, he was a hell of a woodworker. I would love to be able to start to follow in his footsteps.

  • Greg Jones

    I’m in-pick me!

  • Sullivans Papa

    Hope this isn’t a belated April fools joke but count me in!

  • Bexley

    A comment.

  • wespotts

    I need this book.

  • ddevore

    I always welcome the chance to increase my skills and since I am new to hand planes I look forward to reading this book.

  • Joe

    I love hand planes and can’t get enough Schwarz. I would love a copy of this book.

  • scoff1@gmail.com

    I’d love a copy of this revised edition.

  • DaveS2

    Instead of scraping by, ’tis plane I should plow ahead, shouldering fellow chiselers (who don’t know jack) aside before they block my try to smooth into this match before I go bevel up.

  • Jacamar

    Would love to learn about hand planes from Schwarz. Count me in!

  • bwalexander

    This book looks like it would be real handy!

  • rmertens

    I’d love a copy.

  • Potter1970

    Perfect book to go along with my first hand planes I just won on eBay!

  • JesAri415

    I love Schwarz’s stuff, actually keeps you interested in what your reading and you can actually learn a few things along the way.

  • auswimkc

    pick me pick me pick me

  • woodworkjay

    I have no books on hand planes, but a few inherited hand planes. This would help bridge the gap towards their usefulness. Fingers crossed.

  • Mac

    I have just received an old Stanley plane as a gift. “Handplane Essentials Revised & Expanded” would be a great reference to begin bringing it back to life.

  • jeffreyi

    I would love to read this. Learned a lot from the first edition, thiis update should be good.

  • Cardscraper

    Built a bench after reading his revised Workbench Design Book, and I love it. Love to tune a plane the same way.

  • Beahmboy

    Wound love it!

  • stodd734

    Just beginning my hand tool journey. This ones definitely on my list as I’ve yet to manage a proper setup on my plane.

  • AlanWS

    Sounds good to me.

  • my2fish

    I’d love a copy!!

  • esmurdo

    Just what I need to understand the two handplanes I’ve come into possession of!

  • jkandiko

    Count me in

  • Asaump

    Would love to have a copy of the book!

  • Just_Iain

    Having just read the copy I bought several years ago, I’m intrigued to see what has changed and been added.

  • DanGar

    Please, I want to participate., thanks

  • bclarkca

    The problem with getting a copy of this book is that it would likely lead me to buying more planes. I already went down the rabbit hole of building a workbench after reading one of Chris’s books.

  • johnclaus

    I’d love to check out the revised edition.

  • ghumphrey

    I too, have the old one. I would like to have the new one.

  • Jonas Jensen

    I could use a book on handplanes.

  • Rexus7

    Sign me up!

  • JumpingJax

    My son needs a source other than me!

  • nmckinneytx

    Would love to get my hands on a copy of this book. thanks for the chance

  • sebastian1974

    That would be nice to have to get signed at Handworks

  • jshroyer

    Awesome!!!

  • smbunker

    I’m in also!

  • sbnathanson

    I could use this book!

  • baermj

    Pick Me!

  • Dean

    Would love one.

  • rheinen

    Will Christopher deliver the book in person?

  • taztec1000

    I have never used a hand plane, I’m an electric kind of guy in the shop. Hand planes kind of scare me. I always think I’ll mess up my project if I use one. However I’ve often thought of learning how to get unplugged.

  • Ed O'

    I have the old one and will be checking out the updated version.

  • iampapabear

    Count me in. Still trying to get the hang of good plane set up and work. Need the help!

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