Seeking Chisel, Saw, and Plane Recommendations for Manual Woodworking

If you're on a budget, definitely look for secondhand tools! I've found some fantastic planes and chisels for really cheap. Stick to reputable brands and spend some time on a good sharpening setup – a whetstone grinder and various grade stones work wonders. Most of my best tools are older than me and cost little or nothing. A bit of rust is usually fine as long as there's no heavy pitting. A wooden disk with a leather belt for polishing can give you a great finish!

A heads up on Aussie woods – they can be tough, so prioritize your sharpening system! Have you thought about how you'll sharpen your tools? I personally favor wet stones like the Shaptons. For saws, consider either learning to sharpen your own or going with replaceable Japanese blades. I prefer wooden Western planes with O1 steel blades for a sharper edge, although they need a bit more care compared to A2 steel. Trust me, switching to hand tools has made my woodworking so much more enjoyable – less noise, less dust, and a more intimate connection with the material.

When choosing tools, first decide if you're leaning towards Western or Japanese styles. I started with Western tools but switched to Japanese after discovering their amazing sharpness and easy sharpening process. I love using Japanese ryoba and dozuki saws. They cut differently than Western saws, which pull rather than push, and often have thinner kerfs. For beginners, checking out secondhand vintage brands can be a budget-friendly option, just make sure to do your homework on what to look for!