By Christopher Schwarz

While bench planes are the most fundamental handplanes in your shop, they also are the most vexing. Ask two woodworkers how to choose, set up and use your bench planes and you'll get three answers.

After years of historical research and practical bench experience, Editor Christopher Schwarz has found a way to simplify the convoluted bench plane system so you can think for yourself when it comes to these tools. After viewing this DVD you'll know how to select the right size plane for your work. You'll know how to sharpen and set it up so it does the job at hand. And you'll learn how to use the plane so you make perfectly flat and gleaming panels (with the minimum amount of effort).

This DVD doesn't simply spout off a new idiosyncratic way to work with bench planes. Instead Schwarz explains how all the systems work so you can immediately see their strengths and weaknesses and exploit them so you'll do better work.

"Handplane Basics" puts into practice all of the principles explained in the story "Bench Planes: The System of Three" in this issue of Woodworking Magazine and dives further into the topics of sharpening, setup and use. If you are confused or frustrated by your bench planes, this DVD is just the ticket.