Bench Hook

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Bench Hook

Bench hook.JPG
Synonyms: DE: Hobelbankwinkel
Type: workholding jig
Used with: hand saws,
sometimes planes
Location: wood workshop
(hand tool area - under the old Hobelbank)
Similar (More or Less): shooting board

A bench hook gives you a quick and easy stop to hold a workpiece when sawing by hand.

Basically it is just a board with two hooks: one at the underside that's pushed against the edge of the workbench, and one on top that you can then hold workpieces against. Depending on the type of saw, you want to hook this jig at the front of the workbench (push cutting) or the back (pull cutting).

hooked at the back of the workbench to facilitate pull cuts with a Japanese saw

More information on Wikipedia!

A precisely angled (or adjustable) version of a bench hook is called shooting board and frequently used with planes.