Country Tools and How to Use Them

Country craftworkers have traditionally relied on tools that evolved over centuries. A revival of interest in these handmade implements has led to an increased demand for information on craftsmen's techniques; but up to now, mention of their tools has been incidental and incomplete. This book examines specific tools on which workers have long relied, and for ease of reference, groups them according to use rather than craft. Authoritatively written and expertly arranged by a master craftsman and instructor, this volume examines in detail dozens of early tools and their functions. More than seventy drawings and photographs accurately depict—among other devices—chopping and splitting tools, hammers and knives for a variety of uses, chisels, gouges, and saws; planes and drills, vices and cramps, hole-making tools, tools for working the soil, as well as equipment for blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, and baking. An invaluable resource for hobbyists, collectors, and museum curators, this volume will also be prized by lovers of traditional ingenuity and know-how.