Before another tool joins the bench

Choose the missing function.

Start with the work. Compare the tools that solve it, and the differences that change your purchase.

Compare general bench planes, low-angle assemblies, shoulder and router planes, and spokeshaves by their actual working contact.

Compare mortise, bevel-edge, paring, skew and corner-chisel formats before filling your tool roll.

Separate knife work, hollows, bent-gouge reach, mallet profiles and drawknife formats before buying more blades.

Compare ryoba, kataba, dozuki, Western backed saws and coping or fret frames without confusing blade length and reach.

Compare shaping surfaces, handle arrangements, scraper profiles and the preparation equipment that is supplied separately.

Compare wheel, blade and pin gauges with dovetail markers, center gauges and the expanding point-to-point tool.

Compare holdfast interfaces, vise mounting, portable support and accessories that still require another clamp or vise.

Distinguish the hand drive, bit shank, nominal diameter and useful depth before buying a boring tool.

Compare flat-blade guides, profiled polishing, hook-hone paper, scraper tools and the limits of a saw-tooth setter.