We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
A drawing of Jim Tolpin on the job from “Jim Tolpin’s Woodworking Wit & Wisdom.”
I remember binding my first book when I was about 10 (it was an illustrated guide to the military vehicles in World War II) on my workbench out in the shop. So I’ve been a writer for about as long as I’ve been a woodworker.
Plus, for about six years, I wrote copy that described the products for the WoodWorker’s Book Club, so I got to read just about every woodworking book published.
As a result, I have some real favorites when it comes to the craft of writing about the craft of woodworking. If you like good verbiage, here are a few writers who you might want to check out.
Jonathan Binzen: Though I’ve never met the fellow, sometimes I feel like a skin stalker. I read everything he writes, whether it’s for Woodwork magazine or Fine Woodworking, even if I’m not interested in the topic. Hands down, Binzen writes the best profiles of woodworkers. He gets great details. He teases narrative out of difficult subjects. He obviously loves woodworking. Look through your copies of these magazines and I think you’ll agree. And check out “Arts & Crafts Furniture,” the book he wrote with Kevin Rodel. It’s a great read.
Jim Tolpin: Without his book “Measure Twice, Cut Once,” I think I’d still be a hopeless hack. Tolpin’s gift is that he can explain complex ideas (such as proportioning furniture) with an economy of words. And he has a gift for memorable phrases. He once described the lever cap of his block plane like it was a “worry stone in his hand.” Also, “The Toolbox Book” is essential (and fun) reading. My copy is just about to fall apart.
Scott Landis: To me Landis is like one of the so-called “New Journalists,” like Tom Wolfe or Hunter S. Thompson. Landis seems to throw himself into his writing almost obsessively (read “The Workbench Book” if you don’t believe me). And his enthusiasm is contagious. Plus, with Landis, no detail seems too small. I like that.
Anthony Guidice: What happened to Guidice? He seems to have disappeared, and that’s too bad. When I first read “The Seven Essentials of Woodworking” I howled in disbelief. I didn’t agree with half the stuff in the book. Yet is was written in such a convincing and powerful way that I consumed every word and recommend the book to beginners. It gets you fired up. Also, Guidice wrote the best interview ever with Frank Klausz, in Woodwork magazine.
Graham Blackburn: I’ve always liked the way Blackburn weaves history, shop practice and personal narrative into his books and articles. Plus, I’ve always been jealous that he can draw. You can get a great dose of his style of writing from “Traditional Woodworking Handtools.”
By the way, my first publishing effort didn’t go so well. I remember presenting my little bound book to my parents that evening. They looked it over. They looked at each other. Then I think it was my dad who said: “Have you ever thought about becoming a lawyer?”
– Christopher Schwarz
Looking for More Woodworking Information?
– Sign up for our newsletters to get free plans, techniques and reviews HERE.
– Looking for free articles from Woodworking Magazine? Click HERE.
– Like hand tools? Read all our online articles on hand work HERE.
– Want to subscribe to Woodworking Magazine? It’s $19.96/year. Click HERE.
