Chester Toolworks make a range of attractive and functional hammers designed specifically to help adjust and set the irons in woodworking planes. While primarily intended for those preferring all-wood or Japanese style planes rather than Stanleys or other iron makers, these hammers not only look great but they have a nice heft to them as well. Now some of us might make do with whatever small hammer or convenient tool that may be lying around on our bench for adjusting our planes, but it’s good to know that there is a much better alternative. Japanese plane hammers have been around for quite a while now and do the job well, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a choice. With the help of Chester Toolworks, it’s now much easier to get a high quality, nicely crafted and equally beautiful tool at an affordable price. At the “heart” of the hammers is a nicely turned and very well balanced double-faced brass head. One face features a hardwood insert made from lignum-vitae, which is perfect for knocking the heels or tops of the planes that need adjustment without causing damage to your plane surfaces. At the other end of the hammer is [...]

You can find this original article on Handplane Central at Chester Toolworks – Hand Plane Adjustment Hammers