How to Cut Dovetails by Hand: A Master’s Step-by-Step Method
Tight hand-cut dovetails aren’t magic — they’re a sequence. Learn the tails-first method, the three habits that close…
5 min readOct 17, 2026
Narex
Narex Marking Knife
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A knife line is thinner and more precise than any pencil — and it gives your saw and chisel a groove to start in.
- Single-bevel blade for marking against a square
- Comfortable handle
- Holds a keen edge
- Pointed tip for dovetails
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- Tested in our shop before we recommend it
What we like
- More accurate layout
- Cleaner crosscuts and shoulders
- Inexpensive
Watch out for
- Single bevel needs left/right awareness
- Keep it sharp
A knife line is thinner and more precise than any pencil — and it gives your saw and chisel a groove to start in.
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Guides for this project
Mortise and Tenon Joinery: The Joint That Holds Furniture Together for Centuries
Tables, chairs, doors and beds have relied on the mortise and tenon for thousands of years. Here’s how to cut one that…
3 min readOct 17, 2026
French Cleat Tool Wall: The Modular Storage System You’ll Rearrange for Years
A French cleat wall lets you hang and rearrange every tool on simple 45° rails. Here’s how to build one that’s strong…
3 min readOct 17, 2026
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