About Us

Tools for Working Wood began in late 1990s as part of the Museum of Woodworking Tools, a virtual, on-line museum with exhibits about tools and their social context. (Click here for exhibits like “Planes of Cesar Chelor, Planemaker, African Slave and Freeman” and "English Shoulder Planes".) It was the early days of the Internet and the museum was one of the first virtual museums on the web. Like all great museums, the Museum of Woodworking Tools had a gift shop. Initially the gift shop sold only Museum mugs, but slowly the Museum began to carry spare parts of Stanley planes, and then fine reproduction of classic planes. Tools for Working Wood was born.

The late 1990s and early 2000s experienced a resurgence of classic woodworking tools, and the new Tools for Working Wood expanded its selection of woodworking tools from all over the world. But in time being a vendor - even a vendor of the very best tools - was too limiting. We wanted to make and sell our own tools too. Tools for Working Wood created two award-winning tool lines: Gramercy Tools and BT&C (Brooklyn Tool & Craft). The Gramercy Tools line, which includes dovetail, sash, veneer, bow and carcase saws; finishing brushes; saw vise; riffler and cabinetmaker’s rasps; and patented holdfasts, are sold all over the world by fine tool sellers, but in the USA only by Tools for Working Wood exclusively. Our BT&C line, which features planing stops, brushes, shellac, spots, the versatile hardware saw and a range of nails, is carried by other tool sellers in the USA and overseas. We look to expanding both lines to bring innovative solutions to woodworking. That’s basically our goal in creating and operating Tools for Working Wood: bringing solutions to woodworking challenges, so you can do your best work and have fun doing so.

We invite you to join our community of dedicated craftspeople, building things with our hands, passing on traditions and learning from each other. We aim to provide the best tools with the best customer service. If you’re in the New York area, come visit our showroom and play with the tools in person. If you’re not, shop on-line or give us a call. We’d love to hear from you.