Try Japanese Hand Tools: Evening Workshop in Brooklyn

On an industrial block at 68 34th St in Brooklyn, New York, Journey Into Woodworking offers a four‑hour evening that reads like an introduction to a maker's life. Hosted at Craftsman Ave, local woodworker Will O’Connor of Make Good Traditional Handcrafts leads a talk and hands‑on session that focuses on Japanese hand tools—pull‑saws, koi‑bari planes, laminated blades—and why they changed his practice. The event runs Wednesday 6:00 PM–10:00 PM, with the talk occupying the first hour and the rest open shop time for trying saws and handplanes. Step into a simple shoproom: benches lined with familiar western planes and a parallel row of Japanese tools. The key features here are the pull‑saw and the wooden-bodied handplane; attendees cut boards, tune shavings, and learn traditional approaches to joinery. The experience is tactile—students feel the distinct pull stroke, smell freshly cut pine, and hear shavings curl away. The session is designed for beginners up to seasoned hobbyists; no prior experience is required, and the space is stroller and wheelchair accessible. What sets this offering apart is its focus on a specific craft lineage: Japanese hand tools. Will O’Connor explains the history and mechanics behind laminated steel blades, teeth geometry in pull‑saws, and the cultural trade that brought these tools into contemporary Western workshops. That cultural note ties the evening to Brooklyn’s wider maker scene, where small shops and community classes have grown into an approachable learning network. The hands‑on portion lets you make a literal cut: guided practice with handplanes and saws under an experienced maker’s eye. Practical details matter. The talk is free; arrive 10–15 minutes early to get checked in. Children under 18 require a guardian. Expect about one to one-and-a-half hours of instruction, then open shop time for continued tinkering and conversation with fellow makers. Bring questions, a notebook, and curiosity. Why book this when you’re in Brooklyn? It’s an efficient way to test a new technique before committing to a class, meet local craftspeople, and connect with the small-business ecosystem represented by Make Good Traditional Handcrafts and Craftsman Ave. It’s a social, low-pressure evening that answers the question many newcomers have: how do I start? For those pursuing longer projects, the talk points you toward additional classes and resources. Whether you’re checking a skill off a list or plotting a deeper woodworking path, this event offers a clear, hands-on next step in a neighborhood proud of making and repair. After the session, many attendees swap contact info, coordinate tool-buying trips to neighborhood stores, and enroll in multi-week classes; expect to leave not only with new technique but also with local contacts, resource recommendations, and a clearer plan for projects you can finish at home or in the shop.