S HAR P & TO TH E PO I NT GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Dave Jeske of Blue Spruce Toolworks The Hock Tools Newsletter from Issue #4/2013 Dave Jeske Talks about Chisels in Port Townsend, Washington. OWNER AND OPERATOR OF BLUE SPRUCE TOOLWORKS, Dave Jeske is not only known for his chisels and other gorgeous, precision woodworking handtools, he is known as a consummate woodworker’s toolmaker. Dave’s research and knowledge, humble dedication to the learning of his trade, as well as his reverence for the history of woodworking and those tools necessary to the craft, make him a mighty worthy toolmaker. Below, Dave speaks to us about his transition from being a virtual woodworker to a producing woodworker on his way to becoming a toolmaker. Dave and Blue Spruce Toolworks at a Lie-Nielsen Handtool Event in My journey into woodworking and hand tools began about ten years ago. Before that I had been a virtual woodworker, faithfully watching Portland, Oregon. Norm Abrams as he seemingly created masterpieces in mere minutes. His arsenal of tools was impressive by anyone’s measure. Then there was that other show with an eccentric Roy Underhill who expended vast amounts of energy using antiquated tools to produce objects that were functional, and beautiful in their own handcrafted way. But I was an engineer and in my mind, precision came from machines. So I bought a table saw and a router. I was now a woodworker. I could rip, and cross cut and dado and……my work looked boring. I obviously needed more tools! However, as I decided on the tool budget and looked at my available working space, questions began to flood my mind. How did craftsmen of the previous centuries, before power tools were even conceived, create such incredible works of art? I determined to learn and started reading. I found some on-line communities that lived and breathed the virtues of hand tools in woodworking. I asked a ton of questions and learned even more. I was still in the virtual Dave's 1st world but that was about to change. I wanted to make a Cabinet: coming out of hanging wall cabinet with a dovetailed carcass, the virtual & handmade divided sash for the door and beaded back into the real panels. world. “Even though the wall cabinet was not show-worthy it turned out well enough.” Page 2 A little progression of Dave's 1st Cabinet, from dovetails, to setting up the making of the door, to the door frame being realized. It all begins somewhere: the plan and the execution. “I planned out the project and dove in.” I planned out the project and dove in. I wanted to use all hand tools. I didn’t own very many, so I decided to make what I could because it was a challenge. I would scrounge the rest later. I needed to mark out dovetails, so the first tool I made was a marking knife. Dave's original marking knives. I also made some rather crude but usable dovetail chisels to chop out the dovetails. On the internet I bought two refurbished saws dating back to the late 1800’s. I could not believe I was actually spending nearly $100 for two old “hand” saws. However, when they were delivered to my doorstep and I opened the box, my life began to change yet again. Here were beautifully crafted tools over 100 years old that had been used for generations and were as good or better than anything I could buy new. The well worn handles fit my hand as though they were made just for me; I couldn’t put them down. What was their story? What had they made? Who had used them? And then things begin to really happen in the real world, like using chisels with confidence, dovetails and drawers. Page 3 About the same time I also discovered eBay and my eyes were opened to the world of antique tools. After much searching, I found a beautiful ovolo molding plane made by Maddox of England dating from the time of the American Revolution. It would make my sash. A 1/8” beading plane would decorate the back panels. My only hand plane was a garage sale find, a Stanley #4c Type 11. I found a dilapidated but restorable infill shoulder plane and I also bought a handful of miscellaneous chisels from companies such as James Swan, Witherby, Buck Bros., and Butcher. I soon knew more about antique hand tools than I did about woodworking. It was time to put them all to use. I sharpened everything as best as I knew how (sure wish Ron’s book had been available!) and once again dove in. Sometimes people have a tendency to fret and muse far too much over things. “Make a plan, make it happen” was my pep talk to get me going. I practiced each step on scrap wood first and then on the real piece. I was learning about the tools and how they interacted with wood. What worked and what didn’t. How the tools felt in my hand. I learned what they could accomplish and what my limitations were. Even though the wall cabinet was not showworthy it turned out well enough. Miter work. “I practiced each step on scrap wood first and then on the real piece. I was learning about the tools and how they interacted with wood. What worked and what didn't...” A Game Box Detail view: Hope Chest The experience was the turning point in my woodworking hobby, and planted the seeds for starting Blue Spruce Toolworks. I wanted to revive quality hand tools that were both beautiful to look at and to hold, but were also premium performers. I wanted to make tools to enable woodworkers to do their finest work. I wanted to make tools that craftsmen would pass down to the next generation as something special. Someday someone may ask, “What was its story? What had it made? Who had used it?” Page 4 Eye candy for woodworkers and toolmakers alike. The toolmaker at Blue Spruce Toolworks has definitely transitioned from the virtual world to a very real world! How did I actually start Blue Spruce Toolworks? Well, that is a story for another day. Thank you, Dave Jeske! 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