I’ve enjoyed expanding my knowledge and skills in hand-tool woodworking. I am a pragmatic learner and need to do things with an end goal in mind. My adventure in real hand-tool woodworking began first with building my bench. I wanted to craft a special gift for my daughter’s birthday, a rocking chair. To build anything with hand tools, I needed a bench. Like my intended gift the bench had to be entirely made by my own hands—no electricity, no tools powered by anything other than my own skill and energy. A woodworkers bench is usually big and heavy and includes a chop (vice) to hold the pieces you saw, chop , drill or plane. I did not have space to park a giant, heavy bench. What I needed was a portable workbench that was just light enough to move and required minimal setup time. I realized this was probably an age-old problem. Since the tools I was using were centuries old, there were more than likely a few solutions just as old. I found my answer in a portable workbench designed over three centuries ago. I made it with handsaws, chisels, and a bit and brace. It is a amazing piece of technology. In less than 60 seconds, I can assemble or disassemble the entire bench, and it will fit in my SUV or a closet! How's that for ancient tech? I did build the rocking chair and more. My bench is like a reliable friend. I enjoy using tools that served craftsman over a hundred years ago. I wanted what I craft have me in it—my skill, my imperfections, my sweat, and all that. Rejecting electric power or modern tools was not the point. In fact, I'm a tech guy; I’ve worked in military R&D for over a decade and in the high-tech industry for nearly a decade after that. I build and service my own computers and network; I design digitally in 3D; and I can code and run a CNC. I built this website without a template on a workstation I built. I designed, rendered, or built everything pictured here! I’ve used nearly every modern power tool in carpentry and joinery, including CNCs and 16-inch circular saws. I certainly do appreciate modern technology but hand tools make me think and smile. Working wood by hand and not feeding a machine is an eye-opening and worthwhile experience. Ear- piercing noise, respirators, cords and batteries are gone. Sawdust is replaced with piles of sweet-smelling curled shavings. What you sacrifice in speed, you make up for in reflection, consideration, and thought. The ancient tools I use will be around for my lifetime, and when I’m gone, they will likely serve another craftsman for his. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure my modern power tools won't outlast even me. Just like drawing with a pencil and using a drawing board, I believe there is much to be gained by learning, practicing, and experiencing the old ways. These old skills ground us, give us something personal and in common with those who came before us. It has been said, "You don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been." I think that’s true. .