I've been diving deep into the world of hand tools for about a year now, and while I've collected quite a bit due to excitement and a bit of cash to spare, I'm starting to feel the weight of some regrettable purchases. I'm curious, which hand tools do you all wish you hadn't spent your hard-earned money on? Whether they were too pricey, too specialized, or just not designed well enough to be useful, I'd love to hear your stories. Personally, I've had a tough experience with the Barr Hand Adz. It's not comfortable to use, the head isn't really designed for scooping, and I found sharpening it a pain—definitely not worth the $220 I shelled out!
3 Answers
I bought a low angle jack plane because of all the hype, but man, what a letdown! The balance is off, adjusting it is awkward, and honestly, it doesn't outperform my older vintage Bailey. If you’re experienced, you’ll just end up disappointed. I guess influencers can really sell you a dream that doesn't deliver. If you're looking at getting one, maybe skip it!
I totally feel you on buying sets. I thought owning a full chisel set would be amazing, but turns out I only ever reach for a couple of them. The Narex mortising chisels are especially disappointing; the sides aren't even flat and the handles are too chunky. I’d have been better off sticking with just a couple of quality chisels instead of the whole set. It also applies to gouge sets and saw files—just not worth the money when you only ever use one or two!
I think you're right. Those sets always look good on display, but they rarely match my actual needs.
I'd mention a few more regrets like my Number 6 Stanley plane—I sold it without thinking twice! The saw guides for dovetails ended up in the corner gathering dust too; a bit of practice goes a long way! I also regret some fancy oil stones; they just weren't worth the hassle! Honestly, older chisels from my grandparent's workshop did just as much work, if not better, than the expensive new ones.
I agree with you! Sometimes the old tools work just as well, and you can't beat the nostalgia!
Thanks for the heads up! I was considering that one based on reviews.