For those interested in becoming a hand tool woodworker, the best advice I can give is to be patient. Yes, it’s important to buy the best hand tools you can afford, to practice using them over and over, to learn good sharpening techniques, and to make or buy yourself a good, solid workbench, the foundation of good hand tool woodworking.

However, beyond all the tools and techniques, my advice would be to slow down. Take your time. Never be in a hurry. It takes discipline to slow down, but the benefits are undeniable. Think through each step of the process, take a little extra time with the drawing and the stock prep and if in doubt, sharpen the tool. By doing this, you will make significantly fewer mistakes, you will hurt yourself less often, and in the long run, you will produce better quality woodworking in less total time.