In this book, professional furniture maker Garrett Hack helps woodworkers reclaim their woodworking heritage by presenting a treasure trove of information about handplanes. Everything is covered here: history, theory, and practice. The practical side includes discussion of everything from tuning and adjusting planes to planing technique. The historical information traces the lineage of the plane from Roman times to the present, with special emphasis on the golden age of planes (19th and early 20th centuries). Also covered are the many specialty planes used in ancillary woodworking professions. The concluding chapters take a look at contemporary plane makers and explain what to look for when buying a plane for the shop or as an investment.