LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Best Traditional Woodworking Books & DVDs: “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” by Christopher Schwarz

7K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  WoodAndShop 
#1 ·
Best Traditional Woodworking Books & DVDs: "The Anarchist's Tool Chest" by Christopher Schwarz



In my above video I share a must-have book for new and seasoned traditional woodworkers: "The Anarchist's Tool Chest" by Christopher Schwarz. You can see the original review on my blog post here.



"The Anarchist's Tool Chest" is one of my absolute favorite books on the subject of traditional woodworking. Chris Scwharz displays his unfiltered humor, and no-nonsense approach to modern day woodworking anarchism: (1) build your own quality furniture instead of buying throw-away furniture and (2) stop collecting too many tools. A simple chest of heirloom quality tools is sufficient to build furniture that will last several lifetimes.



The pages are filled with unbelievably detailed research on what to look for when buying your woodworking hand tools. The chapters are broken up by different woodworking hand tool types. The book wraps up with plans & instructions on how to build the Anarchist's Tool Chest. Chris Schwarz has created a literal movement of people who are building these tool chests and filling them with quality woodworking hand tools.

Here is the Woodwright's Shop episode where Chris Schwarz shows the Anarchist's Tool chest to Roy Underhill.

I am especially grateful for Christopher Schwarz's advice on "what not to buy". This book has become a reference guide to me, that I return to on a regular basis.



I recommend that you read "The Anarchist's Tool Chest" through once (with a highlighter) and then keep it close by as a reference manual.



The beautiful bound cover & pages are nice enough to display in my living room…although it rarely gets far from my workbench.

You can buy "The Anarchist's Tool Chest" book at this link.

You can also buy the accompanying DVD at this link. In the DVD Chris actually pulls all of his tools out of his strong yet beautiful "Anarchist's Tool Chest" and gives a brief explanation about why he purchased each tool. Here's the DVD trailer:



I give this book 5 chisels up…way up!

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO JOSHUA'S FUTURE ARTICLES & VIDEOS!
 
See less See more
2 4
#2 ·
I don't know…I read the book a while ago and thought the writing and editting were fair. It didn't really seem to be a book about the tools or the chest but about the author's angst. I am glad the book was a gift as I don't think it is a book I would have purchased…as there are more effective treatments of the subject in other books.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your comment Mark! Thank goodness there are so many different books & movies for all the different tastes. What have you found to be your favorite woodworking books?
 
#4 ·
I've a few books I refer back to occaisionally like Bob Flexner's book on finishing and a book by Tage Frid but
I think I've come to the realization that I need to make more sawdust if I actually want to get good at woodworking…kinda like you can look at a map all you want but that won't get you anywhere :) ! I think my most enjoyable source is here at LJ's. People such as yourself, Joshua, put amazing amounts of effort providing some golden tutorials and how to's. Even reviewing the postings here can be inspirational.
 
#5 ·
Hey Mark, I'm a total believer in what you said. Woodworkers need to stop endlessly reading about how to do something and just try it, then refine it. And thanks for the compliment.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top