David
Klinke

My Approach to Woodworking

My journey into woodworking began traditionally with a heavy reliance on power tools in the early ’00’s but evolved into a deep appreciation for pre-industrial craftsmanship. Now, I work primarily with hand tools, using Japanese kanna, chisels, and traditional techniques to transform rough lumber into finished furniture and objects. This approach isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about accessibility, sustainability, and the intimate connection between maker and material that hand tools provide.

I’m particularly drawn to Japanese hand planes because of their superior edge retention, lighter weight, and the quality of steel used in their construction. The blacksmith-forged laminated blades represent centuries of metallurgical refinement, and understanding how to set up, maintain, and use these tools has been my muse for many posts.

What I Make

My projects range from small dovetailed boxes and display cabinets to larger pieces like trestle tables and stick chairs. I’m especially interested in working with urban lumber—trees that would otherwise end up as firewood or in landfills. I’ve milled a maple from my own yard, worked with urban lumber milled from the West Virginia University campus and local arborists, and rescued logs from municipal dump piles. Each piece of rescued urban wood has a story, and transforming it into something functional and beautiful feels like a small act of preservation.

My finishing techniques include traditional methods like ebonizing with iron acetate solutions, charring (shou sugi ban), milk paint and simple planed finish with a kanna. I prefer finishes that enhance rather than obscure the natural character of wood—its grain, texture, and color.

Why This Blog Exists

DK Design Blog serves several purposes. First, it documents my learning process and projects, creating a record of techniques, successes, and failures. Second, it shares practical information about Japanese hand tools for woodworkers who are curious but intimidated by the language barriers, cultural differences, and variability in tool quality. There’s a lot of mystique around Japanese tools, and I try to demystify the process of selecting, setting up, and using them effectively especially in the context of furniture-making.

I also write about the philosophy behind hand-tool woodworking—why someone might choose this slower, more physically demanding path in an age of CNC machines and power tools. For me, it connects to broader themes of sustainability, accessibility, and the value of learning traditional skills that don’t require expensive machinery or won’t become obsolete in the age of AI.

My Background

Before focusing on woodworking, I spent years in scientific research, which informs how I approach learning new techniques. I test tools systematically, document processes carefully, and try to understand the underlying principles of why certain setups work better than others. You’ll see this in posts where I compare chisel brands, experiment with ebonizing solutions, or analyze the physics of chipbreakers.

Living in West Virginia for 17 years shaped my appreciation for Appalachian craftsmanship and the “make do with less” philosophy embedded in regional culture. Interestingly, many aspiring makers in New York City are similarly curious about hand tools due to limitations in their work space. These influences show up in my furniture designs and my commitment to hand tools as an accessible entry point for anyone interested in woodworking.

Get In Touch

I’m always interested in connecting with other woodworkers, especially those exploring Japanese tools or hand-tool techniques. If you have questions about a specific technique, want to share your own projects, or have suggestions for topics you’d like me to cover, feel free to reach out through the contact page.

You can also find me on Instagram where I share works in progress and workshop updates.

Where to Start

If you’re new to the site, here are some good entry points:

• New to Japanese hand planes? Start with Kanna curious? for a comprehensive introduction to selecting and setting up your first kanna.
• Want to see Japanese planes in action? Check out Course, Medium and Fine – Japanese Hand Plane Editionwhere I document using four different kanna to build a trestle table.
• Interested in tool comparisons? Read Putting chisels to the test for a detailed evaluation of Japanese versus Western chisels.
• Curious about the history? Explore Darwin’s Hand planes to understand how Japanese and Western hand planes evolved differently.
• Want to try urban lumber? See Preserving Urban Trees: A Milling Journey for lessons learned from chainsaw milling.

Thanks for visiting, and happy creating!

—David Klinke