Saratoga Joinery

Step away from the noise and dust of power tools and discover the quiet precision of traditional hand tool woodworking in this single-session, three-hour class. We'll spend the first hour exploring hand saws, learning proper grip, stance, and cutting techniques. The second hour focuses on hand planes, where you'll discover how to achieve smooth, flat surfaces and perfect edges. In the final hour, we'll put it all together with basic joinery techniques, showing you how hand tools can create strong, beautiful joints that machines simply can't match. You'll learn not just how to use these tools, but why traditional methods still matter – including techniques that are only possible by hand.

This rare opportunity to learn from Graham Blackburn brings over 40 years of furniture-making expertise to Saratoga Joinery. Graham is a legendary figure in the woodworking world, having written more than 20 books including the recently published Jigs and Fixtures for Handtools, and contributed extensively to Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and Woodwork magazine (where he also served as editor). His teaching has influenced countless woodworkers across the United States.

Perfect for beginners curious about traditional woodworking or anyone looking to add quieter, more versatile techniques to their skill set. You'll work safely and affordably without expensive machinery, and with a little patience, you'll discover that hand tool woodworking is more accessible, more enjoyable, and more efficient than you might expect!