The Complete Dovetail: Handmade Furniture's Signature Joint

Woodworking magazines are forever publishing articles describing methods for making dovetail joints. There are articles on router jigs for dovetails, home made jigs for dovetails, dovetails on the table saw and dovetails on the band saw. None of that is in this book. Nevertheless, the title is not misleading. To Ian Kirby, those methods have nothing to do with dovetail joints. So, absent those table saws and jigs, how can he do 151 pages on four simple hand-made joints. Well it is easy if you consider this book not a treatise on joints, but the essential textbook for a hands-on weeklong beginning course in woodworking in Kirby's shop. Mr. Kirby is obviously a teacher. The book focuses on the smallest detail, from how to mark the face side of a rough board you have just prepared with a hand plane, to how to stand when you pare horizontally with a chisel. In these small details, Mr. Kirby is precise and opinionated. I can easily invasion enthusiastic disagreement over these details with other classically trained master woodworkers. But only the most thorough understanding and elegant skill could give one the right to disagree. The writing style is as simple, straightforward and precise as the joints it describes. The illustrations and pictures are clear and explanatory. Nevertheless, Mr. Kirby often presumes on the reader's woodworking vocabulary and knowledge of drafting. The book sometimes expresses the impatience of a master who sees the subject clearly and cannot fathom the student's incomprehension. If your woodworking ideal is cutting gnomes from plywood on a scroll saw or running out to buy the latest laser-guided nuclear-powered jointer you just saw "advertised" on the "New Yankee Workshop" this book is not for you. But, if you want to learn how to quickly and precisely create dovetails with simple hand tools, and you are willing to actually do the exercises Mr. Kirby prescribes, buy this book. A last word of caution though - know how to sharpen your tools first.

Like many woodworkers, I learn by reading and doing. The doing part I can handle...just get in the shop and pay attention to detail. There is always some value in that.The reading part is different. There is a lot of material offered and quite frankly most of it falls short. Oh, there's some good material but generally you only find a few good nuggets of information in a whole book on a particular wood working topic. Or the information leaves you scratching your head because it doesn't quite finish filling in the gaps. This is NOT one of those books.Ian Kirby has put together a first class instructional on making dovetails. From tools to layout to orientation....everything you need to know to make a number of dovetail styles perfectly. All that's needed is the doing.I highly recommend this book for the beginner and the experienced. For the beginner, it's the perfect primer. For the experienced it's a handy fundamental reference (and believe me, no matter how good you are you HAVE to revisit the fundamentals periodically).Great book. Buy it!

I am a returning woodworker, after too many years working. As a teen I would have loved to get this book, but it was written after those years! Today it re-creates for me the excitement of those early years learning how to emulate the masters. Easy to follow, but may require having a teacher/mentor nearby to answer any more difficult questions.

This is a fine book for learning the art of cutting dovetail joints. The man who wrote this book is a craftsman of the highest order. It would be helpful if you have some previous experience making these joints but it's not a requirement to get the most out of this book. I would recommend that you don't start off with a hard wood, start simple. Make sure you have sharp chisels and saw. A marking gauge and knife is also very helpful. Start slow, practice, practice, practice until the joint become easy. The better you get the more fun you have. I highly recommend this book.

I'll keep it simple. If you want to learn how to cut this most essential woodworking joint, you must get this book. Ian Kirby covers every single aspect of cutting dovetails. I had cut a few dovetails before getting this book, but the results where less than stellar. You will still need to practice, there are no easy routes to cutting dovetails. This book will give you a solid foundation. Besides, you have to respect someone who writes an entire book on a single woodworking joint.

While I love Kirby's book on Sharpening using waterstones, this one is almost 180 degrees for me. It is so specific to one method only, you can only gain info if you follow Kirby's way. I found the layout and application sections too full of fluf and it didn't keep my attention. I'll admit that I'm a pins first kind of person but was willing to be objective.Obviously only my opinion, but it's just too technical for something that isn't nearly as complicated and "magical" as some would like to have you belive. I almost resited the former mentoned book on sharpening when I saw Kirby was the author, but that one I found indespensible - go figure. I give this one two stars because I'm sure the info is valid, I just can't stay with it long enough to glean anything useful from it.

Best book on Dovetails I have seen on the market. This is a little book with big insight and information that is clear and easy to follow. If you love woodworking and need quality information and teaching on woodworking and its signature joint, you cannot do better in my view. Additionally, this book won't destroy your budget. One of the best!

You have to be interested in hand cut dovetails, this is a dry subject. It is however fairly well written, and very detailed. Not a very large book, and well enough written to skip to the chapter you need to reference.My dovetails are getting a lot better with practice, but I was able to find 3 or 4 pieces of info to improve my work to a higher level.If you have never hand cut dovetails, this book will set you straight.

Excellent bookBought it for a present

A wonderful introduction to the different types of dovetails, with great illustrations, and detailed instructions.

Full of interesting and helpful information on several different types of dovetails.

Thank you. Great book.