The dust has settled on another Christmas (assuming you completed your projects before the big day) and the elves are good and thoroughly drunk on the eggnog that toasted completion of another year. So let me take this time to say Merry Christmas to all my woodworking friends and I hope that your hard made gifts were appreciated by all. The smiles and gasps of astonishment from the recipients of our hard work are all the payment we ever need, and the joy we as woodworkers glean from the making of those gifts make it all the sweeter.
So now with Boxing Day upon us, the annual woodworking tradition of “what’d ya get?” commences. I had next to nothing on my list this year as I am blessed with a well outfitted shop and a day job surrounded by lumber. But my wife is ever attentive and on the lookout all year round. She happened to stop by The Woodwright School one afternoon while my classmates and I were hollowing Windsor seats and caught me remarking on a certain inshave. Lo and behold, what did I open on Christmas Day?
I currently have a vintage inshave that is one continuous curve across the blade. This model has a flatter curve flanked by two sharp curves which gives it a more rectangular appearance. I discovered that the corners were excellent for deep cuts when starting the hollow and then transitioning to the flatter/wider curve as the hollow widens and a more refined cut is called for. This inshave is made by Two Cherries and at first glance appears very well made. I have to sharpen the edge still and I’m excited to put it to work and duplicate the results I was getting in class.
So in addition to my wonderful shop and wonderful job, I have a wife who never forgets to listen when I talk about tools. It was a merry Christmas indeed for me. I guess I’m really on the hook to build a set of Windsor dining room chairs now!
Your Turn
Did you get your gifts finished in time? What woodworking toys did Santa bring you this year? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Veritas Skew Rabbet Plane for me!!! Also, from the sale of the power tools I don’t use anymore, I have enough for a Lie Neilsen Large Router and a Veritas Plow.
I might actually need to make some stuff now!
A miller falls fully enclosed buck Rogers series hand drill in primo condition.
My biggie was Lie-Nielsen No. 4. In fact I just down in the cellar trying it on a piece of scrap since I don’t have a project in the works right now to use it on. It is sweet!!!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas everyone. My wife surprised me with a No. 4 LN in bronze and the LN socket chisel set. She saw me struggling trying to rehandle my flea market chisels last month. I was the happiest kid yesterday.
What a great woodworking Christmas. Time in the shop, my wife came up with a cabinet scraper, my father in law gave me a #8 and the kids got saws and block planes. What more could a husband, son in law and Dad ask for?
Benchcrafted Moxon Double-Screw Vise, Wixey depth indicator, and a set of Veritas plane stops! I have to say my wife and kids did well with a little bit of hint dropping. In fact I know I spent more time shopping for her earings.
I managed to finish 3 toy monster trucks and 3 small jewellry boxes with just enough time for the shellac to dry. My father-in-law gave me a refurbished pre-1940 stanley #7c and I got two handscrews… All in all a great woodworking Christmas.
My wife got me band-aids!
I got band-aids that look like bacon last year. Every time I put one on it makes the injury look worse like mangled flesh. So I get first-aid and a laugh when the checkout girl at Target screams.
I got myself a Domino XL since the wife didn’t, doesn’t or won’t give much of any attention to my woodworking…
I only did one Christmas gift this year. It was for the sister-in-law my wife drew in our family drawing this year. It was a cherry and curly maple hand dovetailed box. I also finally finished up my sisters birthday box (her birthday was WAY back in March) and gave it to her on Christmas. Also cherry and maple. Both were finished Christmas morning.
As far as woodworking gifts, between my wife, dad an mother-in-law I got a large veritas router plane with all the extra imperial blades, a veritas crosscut carcass saw, a plane blade screwdriver (also veritas), t bevel, new 800 grit waterstone (I’ve just about gone through my first one) and a set of Woodriver butt chisels. All in all a great Christmas for a woodworker!