In The Handplane Book, aficionado Garrett Hack reveals the rich heritage of this classic tool with a treasure trove of information and history, including detailed guidance on how to buy a plane, tune it up, and use it. Lavishly illustrated with 175 photos and 152 illustrations, Hack engagingly traces the tool's lineage from Roman times to the present, with emphasis on the golden age of handplanes from the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.

    Progressive exercises and advanced strategies incorporate elements of lettercarving, including spacing, family resemblance, and optical adjustment. Instructions are included on how to carve a complete incised alphabet in the modern roman letter style, an alphabet in modern roman raised letters, and six other letter styles. Thirty-seven practice exercises and nine step-by-step projects such as carving simple signs and fashioning decorative letters on a bowl and a breadboard are provided.

    Carving basics are covered, including selecting tools and materials, transferring patterns, sanding, and finishing. Two progressive projects introduce basic and intermediate carving techniques. An additional 45 patterns provide dozens of mix-and-match designs. Introductions to the history of Welsh and Scandinavian spoon carving provide a rich context for this historical craft.