The Complete Handbook of Planes

This is exactly what I needed. I inherited my grandfather's tool chest and had no idea what I had or how to use half of it. Chapter 1 alone clarified why planes work the way they do—the geometry, the iron angle, all of it—and suddenly these old tools made sense. The practical focus means no fluff. Highly recommend for anyone serious about hand tools.

I've been woodworking for fifteen years and thought I knew what I was doing. This handbook made me realize I was settling for mediocre results because I didn't understand plane specifications and setup. The troubleshooting section caught me making a common mistake I'd been living with for months. Worth every penny for a professional.

Good solid information, but honestly the first chapter takes forever to explain basic mechanics before getting to practical applications. I skipped ahead to Chapter 3 because I needed selection guidance immediately. The content is accurate enough, just wish it moved faster into the stuff that matters for my specific situation.

I'm building a tool rental business and this book is my reference guide now. Chapter 6 on business models is genuinely useful—it laid out margins, customer types, and strategies I hadn't thought through. The specs knowledge from earlier chapters helps me talk to customers like I actually understand what I'm renting. This book paid for itself.

The handbook is well-researched and practical, but some sections assume more mechanical knowledge than I have. I had to read Chapter 1 twice to fully grasp the geometry concepts. Once it clicked, the rest made sense, but ideally there would be more diagrams for visual learners like me.

Solid reference for the basics. The troubleshooting section is genuinely helpful. My only criticism is that it doesn't go deep enough into vintage plane restoration—there's a whole market out there and the handbook just touches on it. For someone just getting started, though, it's a good foundation.

Very useful and well-organized. Chapter 4 on setup and daily use prevented me from making mistakes I would have made otherwise. The only thing I wish was more specific guidance on grain direction and wood species—those affect plane performance but the handbook treats them pretty briefly.

Clear, practical, and genuinely useful. The specification explanations in Chapter 2 finally helped me understand what makes a $50 plane different from a $500 one. Chapters on troubleshooting and business opportunities are legitimately valuable. Minor complaint: could use more photos, but the writing is excellent and specific.