I keep coming across different styles for bench hooks, and it's got me thinking! Some folks, like Graham Blackburn, saw through the fence, creating a kerf square to it, while others saw to the side instead. The latter seems to protect the fence better, but doesn't offer as much guidance. I've even tried making bench hooks with the kerf through the fence, but they've become too tight for my saw after some time, which I assume might be due to wood movement. I'm curious about everyone else's preferences!
6 Answers
I tried making mine based on a Roy Underhill video. I found that nipping my bench while sawing was a bit annoying, so I ended up just cutting a chunk out of one fence. Honestly, it's better for me to mark my line with a square or mitre and just saw to that line. Plus, it’s a key skill for anyone doing hand tool work.
I usually saw to the side. I like to follow layout lines for guidance and then pare or shoot the cut line to make it fit just right.
I started with some 'legacy' bench hooks that were worn out. It forced me to learn to saw off the end of my bench, which made me a lot better at cross-cutting. Honestly, I really value my bench hooks; they're a must-have in my toolkit, and I often have my apprentices make a pair right at the beginning.
It's really a matter of preference! There’s nothing wrong with either option. Using a kerf helps support the wood fibers during the cut, but if you’re going to clean up with a shooting board, sawing to the side works fine too.
I have two that are basically made from scrap plywood. They have narrower fences than the base, so I saw at the end of them. The one side's fence is squared off for quick down and dirty work with a plane on the benchtop. However, I find that they wear out over time.
I view mine as disposable since I tend to saw into the fence to avoid damaging my bench. I don’t worry too much about precision when using them; I just break down lots of stock.
That video really inspired me, too! It was also my first exposure to Roy Underhill since I'm from the UK.