The Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools, Instruments & Devices (Illustrated Workshop)

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools, Devices & Instruments is the first volume in Graham Blackburn’s paperback Illustrated Workshop series. It’s a comprehensive pictorial index of the woodworking handtools common in the Western civilization from eighteenth century to the present. Not only a fascinating record of trades and skills – from cabinetmakers to wheelwrights – in an age before powertools became the norm, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Woodworking Handtools is also a remarkable tribute to man’s technological ingenuity. More than 600 tools are listed and described, both alphabetically and fully cross-referenced for easy access, from the adze, awl, bevel, and bit to the wrest, yardstick, and zig-zag rule, complete with explicit definitions, interesting etymologies, and fascinating historical information. This classic reference contains more then 570 of Blackburn’s trademark detailed line-drawings, accompanied by an expert’s authoritative text. Whether used a handy guide book to identify a tool and its use, or read simply for enjoyment, this book stands along in capturing the sophisticated beauty and inventiveness of woodworking handtools.

Graham Blackburn was born and educated in London, England, then lived for several years in Cologne and Madrid before moving to New York to continue his studies at the Juilliard School. While pursuing a career as a professional musician that saw him play in numerous bands, including Van Morrison’s, he built his own home - and several others -- in Woodstock, NY. His first book, Illustrated Housebuilding, was published in 1974. Since then, in addition to operating a custom furnituremaking shop in California and New York, and lecturing/teaching at major craft and art schools and woodworking shows across the US, he has been a long-time columnist for "Popular Woodworking" and a contributing editor to "Fine Woodworking." He has also served as editor-in-chief of "Woodwork" magazine.