Nothing replaces the feel of shaping wood by hand. Modern tools miss the point.

4 comments

4 Comments

Look, I love working with wood too, but come on! Modern tools just get the job done faster. Sometimes a table saw is all you need to make something cool. The wood isn't whispering secrets, it's just sitting there. Let's not make this into some spiritual journey every time we build a shelf.

jade_reed1mo ago

Sure, the wood grain talks to me too, mostly to say "you're doing this wrong".

ivan_harris1mo ago

Forget the noise, hand tools let you listen to what the wood grain wants to become.

fiona_garcia1mo ago

Okay, but "listening to what the wood grain wants to become" feels like we're putting too much meaning into a plank. I get using hand tools for control or a quiet shop, but sometimes a cut is just a cut. It's wood, not a partner in therapy. We can enjoy working with it without making every project a deep moment.