Greetings!
Thanks for sticking with us as Linda has been working with Jim Thvedt on his contribution to
Sharp & to the Point
. Jim makes replica late Medieval-early Renaissance handtools to use in building replica late Medieval-early Renaissance clavichords. Jim’s been a customer almost as long as Hock Tools has been in business. We know him as a thorough type of guy, who is passionate about his woodworking tools. Jim takes you through his journey getting close to woodworkers of the Renaissance era. His choices given the little amount of time he has to spend in his shop (like many woodworkers, Jim has an intense day job and a busy family life), deciding to make concessions on what’s available today in terms of wood, and sometimes choosing practicality to create efficiencies that fly in the face of authenticity is a great woodworker story.
Also, this issue includes Ben Hodson’s photos of the planes he’s assembled using four different Hock Tools kits. Ben personalized the shapes and added his own logo, making them truly his. Also, we ask people who participate in the photo album if they have any advice for other woodworkers about their experiences with Hock Tools. Ben speaks to keeping the throat tight when you make our planes. I want to thank Ben and let you know that I’m grateful for his enthusiasm!
Of course, if there’s anything you need from Hock Tools, please let me know.
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Ron Hock
Hock Tools
(888) 282-5233
(707) 964-2782
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Jim Thvedt Builds a Renaissance Wooden Handplane.
Let's Remember that Jim Also Builds Renaissance Clavichords!
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Left: Detail from Jacopo da Ponte's
Construction of Noah's Ark, circa. second half of the 16th Century. Jim Thvedt's Source for his replica Renaissance handplane.
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Right: Foreground, Jim Thvedt's replica Renaissance handplane with (above) a size comparison example of his Bedford Smoother, #604.
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Jim Thvedt builds Renaissance period clavichords, forerunners of the modern piano. For those who are unfamiliar, the clavichord was in regular use from about 1400 (although the earliest surviving clavichord only dates from the 1540s) to 1800, with a strong revival during the 20th century. The clavichord is distinguished from the early piano by its more delicate sound, and is played today by devotees of Renaissance, Baroque and, Classical music, and is the subject of ongoing discussion and analysis by music historians. Jim is one of these clavichord enthusiasts, and happens to be a Hock Tools customer for almost 30 years.
At one clavichord conference in Italy, Jim spoke on a replica medieval clavichord and was countered by another scholar for using modern tools to build replica instruments. Although he had used only hand tools, some were modern forms, and Jim decided to take up the gauntlet and run with it.
Here, Jim generously explains step-by-step, concession-by-concession, photo-by-photo how he went about building one replica Renaissance wooden handplane. Jim used the simple alloy found in Hock Tools 01 plane irons for the business end of this plane.
So, please set yourself up with your favorite beverage, and sink into this longer-than-usual newsletter article. It is the story of one woodworker’s pilgrimage to the Renaissance and back. Jim Thvedt’s self–told tale of precision and practicality while working in a contemporary shop with available woods displays a cascade of decisions, as well as a respect for the shoulders woodworkers stand on today. Inside, you will find numerous photos that demonstrate a deeply engrossing project. I think you will agree that Jim’s is a story of an absorbing and singular effort.
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Hock Tools Photo Album
Ben Hodson Talks about
the Four Hock Tools Plane Kits He Made.
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Ahh wood planes!
These are a completed set of kits I bought from Hock Tools. The wood is either bubinga or Jatoba, as included with the kits when I purchased them. Just know that Jatoba is what Hock Tools
currently uses to make the kits, as bubinga is now listed as a threatened species by CITES). The wedges are beech. As you can see, the only thing I changed was to burn in my own touchmark after making completing the kits.
Wood planes were something I wanted to try, and the smoothing and shoulder do great for furniture. The spokeshave I turned on the lathe, but would probably carve the handles next time. Still, a very wide mouth with very fine shavings, ideal for touching up and finishing curves!
If I have any advice after making these four kits, it's to keep the throats TIGHT. If you have to chisel out the leading edge, so be it, but keep the throats tight.
Construction of these kits was easy, and these planes do a fine job for me.
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Go through the easy assembly of a
to fit your needs.
(FYI: Mike did this video when this
kit first came on the market).
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On YouTube, you don’t have to apply or pay tuition! You can watch, learn, and replay that workshop again and again. Now that’s you-name-it-social-media made easy for you.
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It's Easy to be in the Hock Tools Photo Album!
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The photographs you send of the tools you make with our blades and kits inspire us at Hock Tools, and they inspire other woodworkers.
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T h a n k Y o u
f o r
C h o o s i n g
H o c k T o o l s !
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3 6 Y e a r s
o f
E x c e l l e n c e
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L e t 's G e t S o c i a l
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Ron Hock is President
of the Board of The Krenov Foundation.
Continuing the Legacy
of James Krenov
with Awards & Scholarships for Woodworkers.
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