Handtool Types and Sharpening

Saturday 2/28, 1-5pm

Sharp tools don’t come from machines. They come from understanding.

Handtool Types & Sharpening addresses one of the most common obstacles in woodworking: tools that fight back. This class reframes sharpening not as a chore, but as a critical act of preparation that shapes every cut that follows.

Students will explore the core families of hand tools, how they’re meant to work, and how proper sharpening geometry unlocks control and accuracy. Emphasis is placed on repeatable methods, not gadgets or shortcuts.

You’ll learn to:

Identify core hand tools and their intended uses

Understand bevel geometry and edge durability

Sharpen chisels and plane irons effectively

Diagnose cutting problems at the edge

Build a simple, reliable sharpening routine

Who it’s for: Beginner to intermediate woodworkers, or anyone frustrated by inconsistent results from their tools.

Michael Waldeck Munroe brings a measured, traditional approach to sharpening rooted in clarity and restraint—helping students develop tools that serve the work, not distract from it.