By Sandor Nagyszalanczy

Review by Mark Gezella -- July 2003

This month’s review continues my current trend towards woodworking tools. I briefly referenced this book in last month’s review, so I thought I would select it for this month while it was still fresh in my mind.

First things first - If anyone has a clue about how to pronounce the author’s last name, I’m all ears! Maybe we should award a few bucks at the next meeting to the member who pronounces it correctly??!!

In my humble opinion, I think this is one of the real treasures in the Guild library. My eyes are drawn to the cover every time I glance at the stock on the shelves. A momentary gaze upon the cover illustration builds up anticipation to what is contained within. It practically screams "open me up!"

The book is neatly organized into distinct chapters. It leads off with a slant towards pragmatism, but eventually shifts to more of a flare for the artistic. Chapters cover making tools, hand planes, hammering and drilling tools, saws, Oriental tools, ingenious mechanical devices, embellishments, miniatures, and a final chapter on form and function. Regardless of which chapter you select, there is no shortage of beautiful, exquisite, odd, eccentric tools to behold. Whether it be full scale, miniature, or you-name-it, there is a plethora of examples for any classification. You want whimsy? How about a plane that looks like a bi-plane, of some rabbet planes that look like real rabbits?!

Adjectives abound in the text; words such as decorative, lavish, ornate, ornamental, etc. stage a repeating theme throughout the book. The author immediately states his intention was to present the best of the best, which I believe he accomplished. Illustrations of the many tool maker’s final products portray creations that were meant to test individual ability. The point was push talent to the max and craft a high-end product for the sake of the result, rather than mass market for profit.

I now need to wipe some egg off my face and admit to an error in last month’s book review. If you recall, I originally stated that last month’s author, Paul Kebabian, had reproduced many classic hand tools in miniature, and is referenced in this months feature. Mr. Kebabian is not the miniaturist I was thinking of. The credit must go to the name of Paul Hamler. My apologies to all to all of you for not confirming this information before the article went to print.

Mr. Hamler is a renowned maker of miniature tools and is featured extensively in the "Art of Fine Tools", most notably in the miniatures chapter. I simply cannot do justice to his creations by attempting to describe them. You must check out the book and see for your self.

The last page contains a shrine created by the author for an exhibit at the Taunton Press. Though somewhat amusing, It conveys a deeper message dedicated to those honored throughout the earlier pages. When I saw the picture and read the Author’s description I couldn't help but be reminded of so many Guild presenters I’ve had the good fortune to witness over the years. I believe it captures the essence of why so many of you do what you do, whether it be for hobby or profession, and how you do it so well. A craftsman's poem is set in the shrine, the words of which I’d like to recite for you now;

    "He who works with his hands is a laborer.
    He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
    He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artists."

    St. Francis of Assisi Amen