The Paul Sellers Knifewall Technique

In this video Paul Sellers demonstrates his knifewall technique created in the 1980's and still used today.
More and more woodworkers now refer to the term Paul coined as knifewall years ago. When Paul first introduced it to his students in the late 1980s the term did not exist. Paul set out to create a single word that not only referred to marking the wood surface, but one that described severing the surface fibres and the creation of a physical knife-cut wall. Knifewall as a term became something woodworkers would saw, plane and chisel their wood to.
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[@Paul.Sellers]

To see more information on how to sharpen and set up your woodworker's knife visit: commonwoodworking.com/setting-up-a-woodworkers-knife/

[@MarkACarroll]

I’ve learned a great deal over these past few minutes. Thanks Paul.

[@hazelhazelton1346]

It's humbling how generous this man is with his experience and skills. Thank you, Paul.

[@thedr00]

What a wonderful thing to say, I completely agree with you and thought your sentiment needed acknowledging also. Have a nice day!

[@lilcicero77]

that's the most stunning thing about what he does. there are 1000 more ways that he could "monetise" his "content" than he does - so if a man doesn't want to get rich out of sharing knowledge, what does he want? he wants to share knowledge. decades of it.

[@WoodByWright]

Fantastic Paul. Glad to see you're making an entire video dedicated to this one. Thanks for the fantastic information and helping make the internet a better place.

[@davidmarusa9833]

There's nothing better than starting my morning with a Paul Sellers video. I feel smarter already.

[@vschets]

"Its yours for the rest of your life"... love it... Thank you very much Paul for sharing in this most pleasant way. Nothing beats experience; huge respect.

[@jonesey1981]

Always the best Sir Paul!

[@Mr_Rick]

Thank you Paul. There's no other like you!

[@MG-vo7is]

I had difficulty getting straight chisel lines. Now I know how. Thanks you!

[@royashmore5874]

My woodwork teacher, 70 years ago at Worsley Tech College Manchester, introduced me to "shoulder cutting" but todays slim knives enable much more accurate performance than the old marking knives. Having only recently become serious again about hand woodwork I am continuously reminded by your references to your KNIFE WALL and its extended uses together with the many other tricks you have shown us grateful viewers. Thank you Paul. Always excellent.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

I have been using this technique since you showed it on a video several years ago and it has made a world of difference in the quality of my cuts both by hand and with power tools. There is still a distance for me to go as a woodworker but these hints and techniques are making a tremendous difference in my enjoyment of this wonderful craft. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@TBoNAtl]

What's more soothing after a long day at work than a Paul Sellers video?

[@j.d.1488]

Very important technique. Paul I just turned 65 and just got this passion to play with wood. Acquired chisels ,planes and various woodworking hand tools from parents old home. Most of the tools are dads and granddads. Going to attempt to use and get preficent with each. Been watching your vids for a while now. I just wish I started with wood as a young man. Sorry never spent time with pops when he did his small wood projects.. Always love watching you and your teaching ability. You make us all feel we can do it well. Thank you sir

[@travelingworm]

Dear Paul, I have been using this technique you have elaborated on in this video based on some earlier videos you have produced; and based on your extensive use of the Stanley Pocket Knife I also acquired said tool and it has been great. The one element in the success of the Technique is a very sharp marking knife and I think a short video on how you sharpen the Stanley Pocket Knife would possibly round of the explanation of the total technique. The blade is stainless steel and reestablishing on a very sharp edge on a ongoing basis may be of great value to your “KZbin Apprentices”. Thanks for all you help in my passion ; “hand woodworking “

[@twcmaker]

I totally agree with you 👍

[@Bntpn]

Thanks Paul! Not just for this video, but all of them. You teach and work from your heart and that makes your content a pleasure to watch.

[@gregbeeman2077]

There is a Greek word to describe this, Orthotomeo, literally "straight cut" but commonly translated rightly dividing. It's the key to all human endeavor. Paul certainly gets this right. Thanks for all the wisdom you so freely share, you have a true talent for instruction.

[@elio4323]

The easiest things are often the more important ones! A huge thank you from Italy for all your videos , Mr Sellers.

[@gtd-sq2pj]

Thank you, Mr. Sellers.

[@JonWhitton]

Thanks Paul

[@tpobrienjr]

Mr. Sellers showed me a technique he doesn't talk about on this video, but he demonstrates it. That is to put the pencil or the knife on the mark, then move the straightedge or the combo square up to it, then make the line or the knifewall. That's the most important thing I have learned from Paul Sellers (in a class at Elm Mott), and it has improved the accuracy of my work immensely.

[@brianmiller9365]

Best 12 minutes on the internet. WOW. Thank you

[@dannymurphy1779]

Great vid Paul, looking forward to getting some practise in.

[@pasqualemandara]

I've used the "knife wall" technique to cut my first dovetails ever at school, after a couple of attempts I was able to cut decent and tight dovetails for a drawer. I will always thank you Mr Paul, my sole Mentor!!!❤

[@campbellmj9405]

The single most important thing I've ever learned for making hand saw cuts. My skill has improved enormously since using this these past few years.

[@donalfredisaac]

Hats off for a Master of Masters

[@sui24fu]

Thanks for the knife wall, Paul. I appreciate the gift.

[@lbhunter6341]

I bought the knife...it's amazing...perfect dovetails immediately!

[@mikeallen7566]

Thank you Paul for renewing my love for woodworking.

[@geoffreyboyling615]

The secondhand tool stall at my local market has a boxful of assorted small craft knives, snap-blade knives and so on, and the stallholder is quite happy for you to have a rummage through them. There are several knives of the type shown in this video, for £1 each; though you would have to clean them up & sharpen them

[@rosshollinger8097]

Great job, Paul. Doing these videos as sort of back-to-basics are really appreciated. Thank you for caring about us and our skills.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Wonderful to have a full video dedicated to this ingenious technique. Even I can get square edges with this technique. Thanks so much for sharing and teaching us beginners, and I'm sure even more advanced woodworkers learn plenty from you as well.

[@tahirawan7892]

Of all the wood workers on the internet, you are the best for proper woodworking. You are a truly inspirational craftsman and someone to aspire to.

[@esa062]

This was the thing that improved my woodworking the most. Learned it from you years ago.

[@JoelWetzel]

I was trying to establish a knifewall in endgrain for a tenon cut and found every step to be way more difficult than I remembered it was for Paul so I'm back and it's not a technique he relates to endgrain at all. My bad, but I'm relieved I wasn't doing it wrong other than where I was trying to do it. I learn something new every day.

[@arkansas1336]

When starting my cabinet building/carpentry trade in 1969 I used a knife to layout for my door hinges but I didn't have a name for the 'markings'....I just had to get the job done asap!....lol. I thank you for having coined the term "knifewall" and YOU should be recognized worldwide and placed in history for the term. Congratulations for providing knowledge to future carpenters/woodworkers....AND I'm still learning from you!

[@1truefreedomfighter]

Thank you for these videos Mr. Sellers.

[@Nick-ye8pf]

Love you paul

[@HWCism]

Thank you.

[@seedubyu]

The precision of this man is as sharp as the knife he uses to make his knife walls. BRILLIANT Mr Sellers.

[@brianrussell7691]

Another terrific video Paul thank you. I’m practicing this technique now. It absolutely improves my modest hand saw results with a nice crisp much cleaner cut line. I too like the term ‘knife-wall’. It’s literal and figurative. Coining a term; what a nice gift and legacy to the craft.Thanks again Paul. Your videos are well done and appreciated. Keep up your good work!

[@andybrumz]

Great tip... I Was taught this by an old joiner back when i was an apprentice many years ago...he always said "knife back your lines!!!"...same method...as you said its a great tip or trick and improves joints cut by hand..

[@dougscode]

Thank you for the knife wall tutorial. I consider this video as a generous gift.

[@boowrangler]

Just noticed you put the marking knife to the pencil line then line up the straight edge. I've been doing it wrong for years. These vids just keep on giving!

[@charlesmadisonrhea]

Thank you. I’m repairing a too-narrow, round, center table leg w a roller for an expandable dining table which has three bad vertical splits from a poorly installed roller. I will be using an Oetiker clamp to hold the leg together, and I need to create a 9/16” flat to seat the clamp on the bulbed end of the leg. This technique just what I need in order to have a nice finished look

[@bluesharmonicateacher]

Excellent technique/video tutorial. Thank you Paul!

[@phildodd9942]

Such valuable information ! Just at the right time for me - I'm making a sink base unit using softwood for the frame, and this demonstration is going to be a big help in getting it square ! Thank you !

[@imortaldeadead]

Thank you for sharing, love that double knife wall for cutting down a longboard ♥️

[@smasica]

Simple, clean, and slick. Thank you.

[@bevanward8787]

Gifted with a “knife wall” for life - Thanks Paul very generous. Brilliant demonstration

[@christofix]

This is a very interresting technique. This was fun to watch and i have learned something again! Thank's Paul!

[@eezyozy]

Love it. Use it all the time since I seen one of your videos years ago. I now pass it on to my apprentices. Thanks Paul.

[@johnboyer903]

I learn so much from watching your videos!

[@jan-reiniervoute6701]

That is a splendid explanation, as good as with greatly enlarged exact pictures. Plus the lesson of SHARP tools. Hat off Uncle Paul. (Now how to remove bloodstains from wood.😎)

[@WoodInn]

I switched to using one of the Stanley knives a year or so ago based on your recommendation. It has been great ever since.

[@deezynar]

I had never seen it before watching you do it in one of your videos. However, I was informed that the technique is found in a book from the 60's or '70's. I can't remember the name of the author, but he was British, and the name was recognizable to me at the time.

[@leehaelters6182]

Hayward? Joyce?

[@TermiteUSA]

Thank you Paul.

[@kb5220]

great knowledge A 1 👍

[@javiermachin1]

Fantastic tip Paul. Thank you for sharing.

[@Moccy.]

Good show sir. I've been using this technique since I started watching your videos, and it really has kicked up my accuracy a notch. I'm now at -2 notches (my sawing technique still needs a lot of work) :D

[@kato2531]

Thank you such detail now I have a total understanding of the " knife wall "

[@WorkingViews]

On 90 k views! We gotta get people up to date on the knifewall. I don't see enough people using it.

[@duckbeneathpigeons]

Well done Paul 👍🏻

[@AndrewCalhoun]

I like Paul Sellers, I think he’s brilliant, and I’m very grateful for his generously sharing his brilliance with the word. But he just used up all the times I was allotted to hear someone say the word “knifewall” for my entire life, and I’m afraid if I hear the word again, I might die. I had to stop halfway through for fear of my life.

[@DaveHutchinson86]

Got to love this guy

[@peckelhaze6934]

Another superb tip.

[@argentorangeok6224]

Thank you for all your knowledge, master Paul.

[@HeartlandMakesAndOutdoors]

thank you sir, i love your videos.. have a blessed week dale

[@ignacioaguerrea1560]

Dear Mr. Sellers, I have subscribed to your channel some years ago. My English is very bad, but I can understand some of yours explanations. Today I saw a channel that has 2 versions, one in English (DIY Creators) and one in Spanish with dubbing (DIY Creators Latino). It would be wonderful if you could expand your audience with explanations in Spanish. Thanks for your teachings and greetings from Chile.

[@FunDumb]

That's a proper technique. thanks

[@PupkinIvan]

WOW! Thank you, this is awesome technique!

[@DonsWoodies]

Learned about this a couple years ago from one of Paul's videos as I was getting into hand tools. What a game changer. Been using it ever since. I've noticed so many other woodworkers on KZbin use this also, whether they give credit to Paul or not.

[@MatthewBuntyn]

Paul didn't invent the technique, he popularized it via his KZbin channel (which is where I first saw it used), and gave it a catchy name. I saw other woodworkers use it afterwards, but they called it a "first-class saw cut." That name came from Robert Wearing's "The Essential Woodworker" (originally published in 1988, republished by Lost Art Press in 2010). My point is that the first person we see using a method, isn't always the first person to use it.

[@lilcicero77]

I must say that I haven't found it indispensable as you have, but no doubt I'm misunderstanding something

[@DonsWoodies]

@@lilcicero77 It's probably like anything else. Everyone has to find what works for them. This just happens to work well for me. I'm still very much an amateur with hand tools, at least as far as woodworking goes, so it is a procedure that fits my style quite well.

[@LonghornWorkshop]

Brilliant, nothing more to add sir.

[@mm9773]

Even German Amazon has the Paul Sellers set now: looking for the Stanley knife, you will find spare blades and the 650g Thor hammer in the “often bought together” section.

[@Pasdechevredreamer]

Interesting new techniques. Thanks

[@britishmilitaria2947]

I really enjoy your videos and i learn alot about carpentry keep up the good work 👍

[@johnawhiting]

Thanks again Paul. Learned this a while ago from You, and it has improved my woodworking.

[@RonMarshallrone]

I loves me some knife wall. I use it all the time.

[@perfectworldpat7053]

two thumbs way up!

[@greggiverson7606]

Always did this when cutting door hardware before using a chisel. Used a box cutter

[@tor-bjornadelgren3517]

Thank you!

[@BensWorkshop]

Thank you.

[@Kikilang60]

Thanks Paul. I've been doing this with mortises since you first showed it, but I nerver thought of using it on creating crisp cuts boards.

[@HeartPumper]

For those not familiar with Paul Sellers, his nickname among the woodworking community is, not without a reason - "The Knifewall Man" 😁. And as we could tell, observing his slight smirk during the very first sentence - he knows it 😁 Sir, you're at the Pantheon of woodworking masters!!!

[@Wardropulous]

Merry crispness everyone

[@johqcitizen7851]

Any video on shooting board technique?

[@ryanlemons7831]

Love it!!

[@christophermatthews4896]

who thumbs downed this video 😳 i wonder about people sometimes

[@perlygatekeeper]

New Paul Seller's drinking game. Drink whenever Paul says "knife wall" or "fibers" in his videos.

[@TreeOfLifeWoodworking]

2160p?? WOW thats great quality! what camera do you use? havent seen another woodworker with that quality haha

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Since I started using the knifewall technique I'm achieving square cuts at last! My magnetic saw guide might well be rendered obsolete. I do find it strange that the tiny cut made by the marking knife is enough to guide the saw, but it works and that is all that matters.

[@jameshuntley428]

Maybe a dumb question, but would a box cutter (razor knife) work as well?

[@jamesdial8326]

Paul, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos and have learned so much. In this video what is the type of marking knife your using? If anyone else knows, please post. I know it's a Stanley Folding Pocket knife, just wondering about the model.

[@bonnivilleblackcherry9745]

HAHAHA just clicked on the link which led to anothwe link of you using a paring knife to make a striker knife. I can't seem to find wooden handled ones around my area so my few are red, lime green, aqua green/blue, and yellow plastic handles. Easy to find when the bench gets cluttered though lol. Anyway I noticed in your bench hook that you have a couple of gaps in the hook plate. Is this done for a reason or just using up scraps of wood?

[@elisa7joy9]

But what if you wanted to cut the board diagonally lengthwise across a 2' 2x4

[@stephenclingerman4865]

I just bought a Stanley knife!

[@johnpotter4750]

Weird one here, just bought a Stanley 0-10-598 and have found issue with the internal plastic locking device, it just jams up and appears ill-fitting, fitting screws have to be loose. Disabled same, and rely on friction knife positioning.

[@stephenneal739]

I might have to watch the crosscut technique with the Knifewall a couple more times, but when making the second wall is it placed on the waste side of the wood?

[@cougar1861]

How does one avoid dulling the knife on the metal straight edge?

[@sylviaapperley4966]

Thank you for the name knife wall

[@answeris4217]

Even on a chopsaw with a fine tooth blade you need to do something to prevent tearout. Cutting the fibers is good practice. Using a knife and a quality marking gauge increased my quality of markmanship 10 folds. And that isn't close to being an understatement.