What We’re Reading
If you're planning to order books in the future, please consider starting at our affiliate page below:
As long as you see the Hammerstone logo in the upper left corner a portion of each book in your purchase will support Hammerstone. Your order(s) will help fund our programs. So take a look at our recommendations below… more to come soon.
Maria’s favorite Kumiko Books
Maria: I wrote a few weeks ago about my process of learning kumiko - how I held the idea in my head for quite some time, until I finally had the time and specific project that allowed me to realize that idea. Well, I want to share the book that got me started on my kumiko journey, and a few others that keep that fire of new ideas constantly burning.
I came across Matt Kenney and his book The Art of Kumiko through Fine Woodworking, which is in itself a great resource recommendation. I was drawn to this book because he teaches kumiko in a way that's accessible to a Western woodworking background. The book lays out a process for cutting kumiko grids using a table saw and specialized crosscut sled, and describes how to build the angle jigs for cutting infill pieces. Clear instruction, plenty of explanatory photos, and approachable projects make this book a fantastic entry point.
Once you’ve gotten in the groove of making kumiko, I highly recommend Desmond King's Shoji and Kumiko Design Books 1, 2 and 3. Unlike Kenney, who doesn't focus on traditional methods, King studied in Japan under kumiko masters and lays out the traditional techniques for cutting kumiko with saws, chisels, and hand planes. While I have yet to dive into creating kumiko using traditional tools and techniques, these three books are also a trove of design ideas that can be adapted to the Western style presented by Matt Kenney.
On my bucket list is doing a deeper dive into more traditional techniques like using (and sharpening) a set of Japanese hand planes and chisels. I'm sure I will find another book that details just that.
Happy reading and even happier making!
every tool’s a hammer
Christina: There are few books I truly enjoy, and even fewer I want to re-read. Every Tool’s a Hammer is one of those rare books I read three times in a row because it was both inspiring and comforting.
In this book Adam Savage shares his philosophy on making with such honesty and humor that it feels like he’s talking directly to every creator out there, whether a beginner or have years of sawdust under their belt.
One idea that stuck with me is his reminder that “creation is iteration.” For anything you want to make, expect at least three versions before it feels right. Instead of being discouraged by mistakes or missteps, this book reframes them as essential parts of the process. That shift in perspective is something I now carry into my own work and let me tell you, it’s freeing.
If you want a read that celebrates creativity, reassures you that imperfection is part of the journey, and leaves you itching to make something, Every Tool’s a Hammer belongs in your TBR (to be read) pile.
Understanding wood
Maria: If you’ve attended any of our woodworking classes, chances are you’ve heard me talk about my favorite book of all time:
Understanding Wood: A Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology by Bruce Hoadley.
This reference contains an amazing breadth of information on trees and wood, from the difference between hardwoods and softwoods, to color images to help with species identification, to technical engineering equations for understanding the strength of wood in different orientations, and much, much more...including the psychological properties of wood! When I first bought this book decades ago, I read it cover to cover. You might prefer to just use it as an occasional reference, but no matter what, it deserves a spot in your shop library.
