If you have a saw, you need a bench hook!

[@douglastate3538]

Holy crap...you spend this much time and effort to make a jig so you can make a straight cut on a small piece of wood? This video is obviously made to get people to view it to the end and increase your viewing time. Maybe if you would spend less time showing how you make dovetails in agonizing detail (over and over again) and actually make something useful I'd subscribe. With THIS video I'm not inclined to look any further...

[@Schnekkern]

Well, a jig like this is incredibly useful. I hope this is the last one I ever build. That is the reason it is a little “over built”. Sorry you didn’t like the video, but I do appreciate you honest opinion 🙂

[@murphyandmurphybrand]

I imagine you have created zero content yet feel entitled enough to complain about a video you are not interested in. Why don’t you just move on instead of being rude? There are many others who are interested in this content.

[@mikeroth5536]

@@murphyandmurphybrand I agree with your comment. However, there should be some level of constructive criticism. Isn’t that what the comment section is for? Otherwise we’re convoluting someone’s ego. I appreciate this level of joinery and love how well the dovetails fit, but agree the video was too long and lack of description telling me the end result; and with, from what I see, noticeable flaws. For instance: to duplicate, you can’t just use any old spine laden saw: it has to be tall enough. And you also have no sure way to keep your bald fixed at 90 degrees while cutting so it’s all up to your saw stroke. But hey, if you’re precise enough to create beautiful dovetails, your saw stroke is good enough to cut straight enough to not need an “over engineered jig”. And some people need to hear that. Ultimately, it’s click-bait.

[@murphyandmurphybrand]

it’s not clickbait. It’s your opinion that the video is too long, to someone else it might be too short. People mistakenly think that all videos are made for them, that they are entitled to comment. The chap has created his own piece of work his way, and recorded it his way. You can state what your preference would be but it doesn’t mean the content creator is wrong. Not everyone is out there to make money and get your acceptance. If he wants to make an ‘over engineered’ (in your opinion) jig, that’s upto him. And I can see the logic, if you’re going to use it a lot, why not craft something that you enjoy using. Why do people buy veritas when Stanley will do? Each to their own.

[@itoibo4208]

He obviously likes making pretty things. Most of us would be happy with a miter box or a quick routed piece of wood or even a few sticks put together with nails, screws, or pegs. @Schnekkern I could suggest you cut a small trough where the saw will land, just so you do not have to cut into your finished jig. You could even fill it with a piece of sacrificial wood. My only problem with this video is you are making me feel lazy. lol

[@yanuar1420]

47 minutes of reminder that great things takes time, that attention to detail would shows at the end product. Thank you very much

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much for taking the time to watch 😊

[@johnbillings5573]

I read some of the comments, and have this to say: who cares? Do what you love, forget the critics, and make videos how you see fit. This is your channel, not theirs. A musician, or in this case craftsman, tells the the audience how a song should be played, not the other way around. So what if it's 47 minutes of dovetail joinery - I learned from it. Thank you.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 And thank you for taking the time to watch 🙂

[@theojo65]

That hook and your bench are so nice, I wouldn’t want to use them. Really nice work, relaxing to watch

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@chadabrewer2564]

I love that you are showing how long it truly takes to make it right. Thanks.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch 😊

[@oscargutierrez3206]

I'd say it's still a briefing 😅. I maked some boxes a while ago, and cutting the dovetails for them took me a couple days. Sure, I'm not the fastest with hand tools, but after making those boxes it was clear how time consuming woodworking can be.

[@Jackcarr87]

I loved this video. I commented on another one of yours a while back - my favourite videos are the long-form, quiet ones that show the process rather than a 10 minute one that shows some wood going through machines and then bang - some furniture. Firstly they're much more inspiring to me, secondly as a beginner myself it's a useful learning method as I can try and work out what you're doing and why so I can keep up. Found this channel completely by accident a while back and was hoping for some longer videos when I subbed. Don't let the detractors put you off, more like this please! :)

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much for the kind words 😊 And thank you for taking the time to watch 🙂 Most of what I know about woodworking I learned from videos on KZbin. So if I can contribute in any way to other people’s woodworking journey, that makes me very happy 😃

[@alex_makes.]

That was - as always - great! I find your technique of marking the dovetails very interesting, I haven't seen it anywhere else! I mean transferring the same saw cut directly to the other board; clever!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 I is based on Rob Cosmans technique, but with a few tweaks that I haven’t seen anywhere else either. I am still learning and trying new things 🙂

[@thevillagecarpenter]

Great video, I like that dovetail layout technique, I've never tried it that way, but I will now! subscribed

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 Your channel looks great, subscribed!

[@jasontrott4158]

Bravo sir, that is absolutely beautiful. I am getting into hand tool woodworking. I aspire to make something this amazing. .

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 With a good saw and a sharp chisel, it is surprisingly easy to get good results with a little practice. Good luck! I hope 2025 will be the year you master hand tools!

[@mattelias721]

Watching you make that first cut made me wince, but that bench hook is something you'll never need to make again. I liked the clamp to keep the end tails (pins?) from splitting on the first glue-up. Great idea!

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, I am just going to have to get used to it getting some saw marks. It is only a tool after all 🙂

[@MaxMut.]

Absolutely beautiful.. and not just the tool but the video it self.. Lovely captures the way you work, so relaxing. Funny enough, I wasn’t sure what you was creating till the very end, that was quiet obvious but rather how passionate and connected you are with the wood.. very thankful for that”

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much 😊 And thank you for taking the time to watch 😀

[@stevebriggs9399]

I love the set-up-block & chisel as a marking gauge.

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, it is a poor man’s marking gauge. Works surprisingly well 🙂

[@hacc220able]

"Quick and dirty" is not in his vocabulary. Precision in any language cannot do justice to the exactitude brought upon these pieces of wood. Only a few could or would pay for a complete furniture piece using this kind of exactness and care. It is mesmerizing to watch the master craftsman at work.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much for the kind words 😊

[@214rwoz]

Beautiful, thank you for all your time and effort. 1in7

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 And thank you for taking the time to watch 🙂

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Amazing. No gaps. I think you have an opportunity to make a 3 minute video to follow this up if you pulling scraps from corners of shop and building another hook with screws. Just to be cheeky. I also think it illustrates that you made one quick and dirty the first time. Been checking for new video from you every few days. If you have the time to make a video on the kerf knife I’d be delighted. I imagined a version where the brass back continues back and bevels or curves down to become a handle. I’ve had parts for one for a while but cutting the slot has made me lazy. Thought of locking the blade in with a single brass pin.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you! Yes, I should finish the kerf saw and make a video of the process.

[@Btfly43]

Did you make the kerf saw? I would love to see how it’s made.

[@NomadMakes]

Beautiful work, and a nice and relaxing video. Nice to see more from Norway on YT. Cheers and good luck with the channel.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 I will be checking out your channel too!

[@harrymason1053]

This is step 1 of an apothecary cabinet valued at $47,000.00. Thanks for enduring. The original craftsman died before completing it and it was finished by his son.

[@Schnekkern]

@@harrymason1053 Ha ha 😀

[@harrymason1053]

@@Schnekkern But you do beautiful work.

[@Schnekkern]

@ thank you 😊 I guess this is more like step 0. An apothecary cabinet is a good idea, though 🧐

[@MrSeminole77]

excellent!! tell me about that kerf starter. keep up the great work!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 The kerf starter is just a piece of a card scraper that happens to be the same thickness as the saw kerf width. I filed some saw teeth and added a brass spine. I haven’t gotten around to making a handle for it yet, so it is not very comfortable to use. I will try to make a video about it soon 🙂

[@fredrikhamar4374]

great work!

[@Schnekkern]

@@fredrikhamar4374 Thank you very much 😄

[@kenhoward5611]

An absolute piece of precision art. Beautiful. Kudos to your meticulous craft. Shame to use it!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@vosifle]

Just perfect!

[@barrydoxseyuk]

Should always have a pair.❤

[@josemoral8768]

Awesome work and final product 😊 what type of wood did you use and have you considered plans, thanks,

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much! It us steamed european beech. Leftovers from my workbench build. No need for plans, none of the dimensions are critical :-)

[@devinteske]

31:48 I think I would have just clamped the guide block down so I could use a free hand to better keep the chisel from waggling about when struck

[@Schnekkern]

@@devinteske Yes, I think you are absolutely correct 🙂

[@staxlhax1849]

Bloody marvellous, please don’t change a thing about your presentation. I love the process and nearly kicked myself when I finally figured out it was to be a bench hook. Would love to know what chisels you use they look lovely.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much 😊 And thank you for taking the time to watch 🙂 The chisel is a Lie Nielsen bench chisel 1/2” A really good all round chisel!

[@staxlhax1849]

@ thanks I might just get myself one (or 2). I recently bought a set of narex and honestly found them a little underwhelming, so on the hunt for a suitable replacement. Looking forward to your next project.

[@PauloFernandoCe]

Congratulations! This is fine, handmade carpentry, sensational. What fun is it to turn on a machine and have it all done automatically?

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 Yes, the process is at least as important as the en result to me 🙂

[@chlan1536]

I like the video and the detailed showing of the process - just the right thing for a lazy afternoon on the couch 😅 A question: The marking tool you are using for the transfer of the dovetails to the pinboard (using Cosman's method): Did you buid that tool or where did you find it. It's neat!

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, I made it. It is just a piece of a card scraper. I filed som teeth and added a brass spine. 🙂I think I will make a wooden handle for it soon.

[@tomclarke1768]

This comes from the Master Craftsman realm......not for us DIY carpenters with thousands of bucks worth of power tools that we never get to use. 😋😋😋😋

[@Schnekkern]

I have sold many of my power tools. Still have some essential ones, but it feels so much better to own tools tha will last “forever“. 🙂

[@jeffmason398]

Well worth the watch for the measurement and setup details, but, please, what is the name of the saw you used to transfer the cuts to the pin board?

[@Schnekkern]

Glad you liked it 😊 The little saw is just a card scraper with teeth filed and a brass spine. Haven’t made a handle yet, but hope to make a video about it soon.

[@thomashverring9484]

Good work! I hope it will last you a long time! I've just made three edge hooks (I prefer the old name for them because I like to feel fancy!); a long pair (so they can accommodate any length of board) for both push and (flip them) pull saws, and a small one with a high stop (about 40 mm) and a low stop (about 3 mm) inspired by Shawn Graham from Wortheffort. The latter is for chisel work ... and just about anything else. I use it a lot! I've made slots in the set for very precise 90° and 45° cuts. I use them for shooting as well. Where do you have the "marking saw" from? Looks like Lie Nielsen, maybe? I use a broken mini Kataba I've cut the front few centimeters off :^) You're listening to some metal while working? I mostly listen to podcasts and currently I'm listening to a podcast about metal in Denmark (where I'm from).

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 I did actually plan to cut it into two pieces. I made one of the pins a little wider to accommodate it. The little saw is just a piece of a card scraper. I filed some teeth and made a brass spine. I will make a wooden handle, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.

[@Schnekkern]

Oh, and yes. Inwas listening to metal. Can’t remember what exactly.. I didn’t otice it was audible in the video 😬

[@thomashverring9484]

@@Schnekkern That is brilliant! My cut down Kataba isn't the best.

[@thomashverring9484]

@@Schnekkern Well, the drums always cut through :^)

[@JBuck-cu7xd]

Bench hook charcuterie board? Too beautiful for use.

[@Schnekkern]

Ha ha 😀 It will become ugly soon enough!

[@stewartwhittier3455]

Nice work!

[@Schnekkern]

@@stewartwhittier3455 Thank you very much 😊

[@brucematthews6417]

By far the nicest bench hook I've ever seen. And great project to practice our dovetails.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 Yes, good practice, especially the very thick ones.

[@kryptik0]

@schenekkern Can you please do a quick tour of your workbench? It looks amazing.

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, I am making some liftable casters for it. Will probably make a video about that.

[@kryptik0]

@@Schnekkern Awesome, would love to see those as well. I am about to embark on my first AWB and curious how close is yours to it.

[@Schnekkern]

Cool! Mine is based on the plans and hardware from Benchcrafted. I.e. a Split Top Roubo.

[@danialsturge8181]

Love it! What are you used for transferring the tails to pins? Looks like a mini saw?

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, sort of 🙂 I filed teet into a card scraper and made a brass spine. Haven’t gotten around to making a wooden handle for it yet.

[@karolskakes388]

Nice work - Now you need shooting board to match. 38:40 Looks like you almost lost your joint, that glue swell can be troublesome!😀

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 Yes 😬 I wasn’t really prepared for the amount of swelling. I think I was frantically searching for a hammer at that moment 😀

[@doyle007]

At approximately the 11:30 mark, you dropped a ruler into the mix while marking out the pins. What was that about?😊

[@pvonsoosten]

Offsetting one of the sides of the pins by the kerf of the saw blade. Since he's using a saw kerf itself to mark out rather than a knife line struck on one side of a saw kerf after the waste on the tails is removed, this is necessary for a good fit.

[@doyle007]

@ Thank you.

[@Schnekkern]

yes, exactly like @pvonsoosten said. Also note that the “jig” has a built in offset, so that the board on top is normally offset to the left by 1 saw kerf. The ruler reverses this, since its thickness is twice the kerf width.

[@pvonsoosten]

@@Schnekkern Aaah, that makes perfect sense, thanks for the clarification! Really cool method, I've never seen it done like that before.

[@brianhanson9367]

Really nice work. Bet it hurt a little to make that first saw mark on it.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 Yes, it hurt a little, but I have to keep reminding myself that these things are tools, not furniture 🙂

[@devinteske]

46:19 a beautiful bench hook. Looks like the type I would make, as I similarly love to “over-engineer” things (in my mind, they are always appropriately engineered). I do wonder however, how it is you will bring yourself to cut into it during a cross-cut (presuming this is a cross-cutting jig). EDIT: at 46:50, called it, but I guess your answer would be to flip the piece ‘round as you cut so you don’t have to damage the beautiful bench hook

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊 Like you, I think the only way to "engineer” is to over-engineer. 😄 I will just close my eyes and saw into it the first times.

[@brettwilson9181]

Just use a sacrificial piece of ply

[@mariusstuvland2977]

Very nice work. The tool you have for transferring to the pin board is nice. Is that something you made yourself or is it available?

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 It is actually a card scraper that happens to be the same thickness as the kerf of the dovetail saw. I filed some teeth and made a brass spline. I am thinking of making a wooden handle so it looks like a miniature back saw.

[@heinmuck8432]

Wonderful, love it! 👍

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@coolcat1813]

lovely, do you have a overview of all your hand tools?

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 All my hand tools live in my “Anarchist Tool Chest” I was thinking about making a video about it some time in the future 🙂

[@coolcat1813]

@@Schnekkern This would be great. I love hand tools myself, so I was wondering what brands besides Veritas et al. exist, even from the past which do not exist anymore today.

[@RafterSkills]

Nice work and the sandvik saw with the red handle brings back memories from 40 years ago!

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, pretty good saws, but I wish they had better handles.

[@RafterSkills]

@@Schnekkern yes agree, in some cases I change the handles to wood even on the modern saws!

[@Hanulmoksu]

Quick question. You have compensated the saw kurf with brass plate. How do you calcurate the thickness of that plate?

[@Schnekkern]

I don’t remember exactly, but I think I used the ratio of the dovetail angle. In this case 1:8. That means that to offset sideways by one saw kerf (0,5mm / 0.200”) an offset in the other direction must be 8 times more to get the same result. (Not entirely correct, since the kerf is at an agle to start with. But in the ballpark) With a little trial and error, I ended up with a brass piece 4mm thick. This works regardless of stock dimensions, since it it only a function of the kerf width and the dovetail angle.

[@richwallace4632]

Love the details in making a shop furniture. Did you use linseed oil for the finish?

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 It is actually shellac and wax. Probably not very durable, but I don’t have the patience to wait for oil to dry 😀

[@tomowens2720]

That’s an heirloom beech bench hook for sure. Nice ASMR video for me. What is the name of that short saw you used to mark up the pins with? And who makes it? Thanks Ignore the haters. Armchair wannabe woodworks.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much. 😊 The little “marking saw” I made from a scraper. Just filed some saw teeth and added a brass spine. I am going to make a handle. I have been putting it off for a while, since I want to make a miniature back saw handle for it.

[@tomowens2720]

Very nice. I was looking at my Japanese saws and could make one work but your method all but guarantees a perfect fit. I look forward to your next video and bid you a happy new year!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊 Happy new year to you too 🙂

[@brettwilson9181]

Okay. Looks amazing. But mine doesn't look like that.

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks 😊 My first bench hook was an ugly piece of plywood.

[@johnelwer3633]

Looks very nice. A little too nice for me for something that is going to get cut to shit by use. 😁

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! Yes, but the main thing is that it is solid. I am just going to have to get used to it getting beat up 😀

[@marianbujnak1909]

Great, detailed and precise work. Really, nice to see. 👌

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@mikdin1]

Is the crosscut saw with the black spline your creation?

[@Schnekkern]

No, I wish.. It is from Bad Axe toolworks. Got it about 12 years ago. Great saw 😀

[@morimoretta]

Nice

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@jayelwin]

What little saw did you use to score the dovetail pins?

[@Schnekkern]

It is a piece of a card scraper. I filed some teeth and added a brass spine. Going to make a wood handle soon.

[@jayelwin]

@ it’s just like the Cosman technique (but not $75!). Great idea.

[@arildeugen]

Good tools necessary!

[@Schnekkern]

Yes!

[@wandamccartney5731]

Cherry wood?

[@Schnekkern]

Beech, actually. The color is similar, but the beech is more homogeneous I think.

[@wandamccartney5731]

@@Schnekkern interesting! Nice piece!

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks 😊

[@mail2tor]

nice , i have saw but i don't have skill

[@Schnekkern]

It is easier than it looks. With a sharp saw and some good (stable and uniform) wood, it just takes a little practice 🙂

[@TuanBui-yp7oz]

Yes, the caption is spot on, this video does……. Something i am in short supply of.

[@Schnekkern]

Just wait until I make a 3 hour video about making winding sticks 😀

[@michaelwright1852]

All that for a bench hook?

[@Schnekkern]

Yup 😀

[@kryptik0]

Can't count the time or effort spent on art. In this case, a very useful piece of art.

[@CanaldaCarpintaria]

👏👏👏💪👍

[@stevebriggs9399]

The video is a good explanation of why only rich people had nice furniture before power tools were a thing.

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, but the handtool woodworkers 200 years ago were a lot more efficient than me 🙂

[@stevebriggs9399]

@Schnekkern But your workmanship is exquisite. I like that you used scrap blocks to keep your chisel square to the workpiece. One trick for clean and square hand saw cuts I like is to take a chisel and pare away a small wall on the waste side before using the hand saw.

[@kryptik0]

I suggest you check out Lost Art Press and their rich collection of publications.

[@Schnekkern]

Already did. “The Anarchist Toolchest” is what got me into handtools 😀

[@kryptik0]

@@Schnekkern Sorry I was responding to sb9.

[@wildough]

I'm just going to weigh in on the side of words. I hate all these videos that have no explanation of what you're doing or where you're going. I never stick around to find out.

[@Schnekkern]

@@wildough Noted 😀

[@chadabrewer2564]

I actually like figuring out what they are building before they show it. Makes it fun. 😊

[@MrCmonReally]

I disagree completely. Too many “KZbin woodworkers“ fancy themselves as stand-up comedians. None of them are funny… I'd much rather watch this style of video.

[@victorialazaro3791]

I even don t knowwhats that once finished

[@Schnekkern]

Sorry, it wasn’t very clear 🙂 It is called a bench hook. It is used to hold material for crosscutting without having to clamp.

[@honpolgar]

Joke

[@Schnekkern]

No, dead serious 🥸

[@zweiradhandelhauser]

Was soll das???