HandWorks 2023 in Amana, IA: Is it the best hand tool show on earth?

HandWorks ( handworks.co/ ) was the first weekend in September 2023. A gathering of the best manufacturers and boutique makers of woodworking hand tools from all over the planet. No where else can you put hands on and try such a variety of the best made by the highest quality companies and craftsmen.
I was very lucky to save up enough to attend as past events have proven to be generational reference points in other woodworkers careers. Imagine if a circle track racer honed their skills for decades in their home made race car and then given the chance to try out a Nascar. Not only that getting to try all the cars of the field and discovering what features suited their time honed skills the best. Ya, for a woodworker that was HandWorks.
Plus, no better conversations can be had for a woodworking geek than with those who put forth the effort and expense to attend such an event.
So here's my vLog of the event. Sorry for the edit as I did my best with what was recorded. Sound was an issue due to every ones enthusiasm.
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Special Thanks:
- Benchcrafted ( benchcrafted.com/ ): the brothers Abraham and family put on this event for no monetary gain and I can't thank them enough.
- Texas Heritage ( txheritage.net/ ): for the invite to their booth during the Keynote
- Roy Underhill ( www.woodwright... ): keynote speaker who gave me permission to use some snippets.
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[@walt66a]

It was a great get together! I was in awe most of the time, regretting that I couldn't buy more stuff. It was great to see you at Rex and James meet and greet.

[@dpbjlee83]

your excitement is noticeable 😊

[@loucinci3922]

ThNks for taking me to the expo. Good to see old Roy. Always a joy. Thanks for sharing

[@archi-dr5te]

Loved that little ?Red Rose vice and the mini bench top with 3 wooden screws.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

I'm a big fan of both Paul Sellers and Roy Underhill. I have all of Roy's books and built several projects. I'm also a big fan of the Anarchist's Tool Chest! If it's any consolation, I have been watching your videos! KUDOS!!!

[@chriscunicelli7070]

Hey buddy thanks, I enjoyed this. I would just love to attend something like this but I always miss them. But I appreciated you bringing it to my family room

[@dpmeyer4867]

Thanks

[@WoodByWright]

So much fun and so many good memories

[@jeffdamon5419]

Thanks for the video as always. I envy you the ability to "go to the show". I live in Alaska, not too many woodworking shows up here. Lots of woodworkers, but not many shows. Watching the trip at the end, couldn't help but think... That's some really flat country. You need a few mountains!

[@Phatomshark27]

I am bummed I missed bumping into you. I would have thanked you for getting me started in turning.

[@norm5785]

😊great time is always a wonderful thing. It is really goid to have the person who developed the tool to be in front of you. The vendors must feel it is worth the effort and financially good for them. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Enjoyed the timelapse at the end. Made it home before dark. 7 am to 7 pm I’d guess. Amana to Dallas is 12 hours without stops. Loved seeing myself twice in the video. I was paying close attention to Matt Bickford teaching me how to make moldings. Did not even notice you filming. Hope you make the pilgrimage again if and when they do it again.

[@wortheffort]

No, I camped. That was just 75 to Dallas area.

[@wortheffort]

Also I'm not in Dallas.

[@spwiz5578]

You caught my hand holding my coffee cup and legs by the shavehorse in the Plate11 booth. Sorry I didn't get a change to chat.

[@MichaelHonsinger]

No footage of Rex? He doesn’t seem to be producing much video for quite some time. Maybe the algorithm hasn’t been notifying me. Looks like it was a great event. Thanks for sharing.

[@wortheffort]

I suggest you go to his channel for what you've missed.

[@MichaelHonsinger]

@@wortheffort great idea.

[@mattmcgrane8975]

Shawn, it was good to meet you at the event (thanks for the coaster). I was so stoked to be there. Didn't know about the you-tuber meet-up - that might have been interesting, too. Thanks for the video - brought back great memories. Hope they do it again someday.

[@davidanderson5767]

Enjoyed seeing your animation.

[@sandrawhite3618]

***LOVE the Outro music*** especially on the road home 36:54 Shawn, thank you for your sweet & intelligent perspective, another fascinating video. For the record, it appears you’re always very graceful with folks, and that’s hard when you’re holding a camera! Looking forward to more awesome “worth effort” teaching, and learning what new ideas you’re thinking about from your experiences here.

[@troyj3292]

This was a very fun show. Thanks for the video. I thought I recognized you walking around, but didn't stop to say hi. I guess missing out on a coaster is my loss.

[@donmahan2374]

Thanks!

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@JoeK0322]

Those Blue Spruce mallets are awesome! Highly recommend them 🍻

[@TWC6724]

I’ve been eyeing up those frame saw kits as well 👍

[@joelkton1]

Fun! I was hoping Roy would be there.

[@ugaladh]

Lee Nielson also makes a tool for both tongue and groove with a similar switch. Either Veritas or Lee Nielson are going to be expensive, but you know that.

[@wortheffort]

That was a Lie-Nielsen t&g plane.

[@wmcrash]

All good, but what did you buy there?

[@wortheffort]

nada, gas was expensive enough.

[@networkengineer.online]

It sounds like fun, interesting, entertaining, and exciting. Hitting the big 4 for attending these!. Thx for sharing!

[@danieltomasjr.5871]

Burnishing is to make the grain smaller by compression.

[@danieltomasjr.5871]

Steel industries to the same thing. Making the grain smaller with compression.

[@tpolarich6039]

Who makes the handsaw you showed early in the video

[@wortheffort]

Uh.... you'll have to be more specific than that.

[@tpolarich6039]

The hacksaw type

[@JohnGauntSega32]

​​@@wortheffortFor about 15 seconds starting at 11:25. [Edit: and 34:45]

[@ericgelman2792]

I have the same question

[@tpolarich6039]

​@@ericgelman2792 David Jeske makes the saw

[@changefortanzania]

When is the show next year? Anybody...

[@wortheffort]

No word if/when ever again.

[@DreamWorksWoodShop]

Awesome footage Shawn , Thanks for sharing. Sorry I missed it. I hope they have another one at some point. Definitely looks like an event that you need to go to at least once in your life! 😎🪚🗜️👊