So okay I have to be honest with you. When I first heard the word gramercy woodworking, I thought it was some fancy French brand or something. Like maybe it came from france, I dont know. I searched online and got confuse too because there were so many tools with different names and I wasnt sure which one is which.
But then I started digging more and more and wow, this brand is actually really something special for people like me. Beginners, hobbyists, people who just want to do wood work at home without spending thousand of dollars.
So today I want to share everything I know about gramercy woodworking. What it is, who makes it, what tools they have, are they good for beginners, and can you buy them on a budget. Lets go!
What Is Gramercy Woodworking Actually
So first thing first. Gramercy woodworking is not a separate company on its own. Gramercy Tools is actually the in house brand of a popular online store called Tools for Working Wood. That store is based in Brooklyn, New York.
The guy behind all this is Joel Moskowitz. He is not just a seller of tools, he is someone who genuinely loves hand tools since he was a little kid. He took his first woodworking class when he was seven years old at a local Y. Isn’t that cool?
Joel had a background in mechanical engineering and software design before he started this whole thing. He noticed that good quality hand tools were either too expensive or too hard to find. So he decided to make his own. That is how gramercy woodworking tools were born.
The name gramercy comes from the Gramercy neighborhood in Manhattan, near where Joel lives. So it is very much a New York thing.
The Gramercy Woodworking Website
Okay so I visited the gramercy woodworking website which is basically toolsforworkingwood.com and honestly I was very impressed. It is not just a store, it is like a free library also.
You can find articles about tool history, sharpening guides, how to do different wood joints, and so much more. Joel even shares info about traditional woodworking methods from different cultures. Like I saw something about Vietnamese woodworking too which was very unique and different.
If you are just starting woodworking and want to learn, the gramercy woodworking website is honestly one of the best free resources out there. Joel writes detailed articles on sharpening, joinery, and tool history that you wont find easily elsewhere. You can explore everything directly at Tools for Working Wood and I promise you will spend atleast one hour just reading before even thinking about buying anything.
The website is clean and easy to move around. You wont feel lost like I feel on some other websites. Actually I feel more lost reading some woodworking books than that website, thats how easy it is.
Who Makes Gramercy Woodworking Tools
This question I get a lot from beginner friends. Who makes gramercy woodworking tools exactly? Is it a big factory?
So the answer is a little bit of both things. Some gramercy woodworking tools are designed by Joel and his team and then manufactured at factories. Some are made by hand by craftsmen. The goal is always the same, best performance possible at a fair price.
Joel once said in an interview that all gramercy tools reflect best performance regardless of cost. Some tools are affordable, some are expensive. But all of them are made with the idea that they should work really really well.
This is different from cheap chinese tools which sometimes look nice but break fast. Gramercy woodworking parts are made to last and to actually function properly in real woodworking situations.
Gramercy Woodworking Tools List for Beginners
Now lets talk about actual tools. This is what most beginners really want to know. What tools does gramercy woodworking have and which one should you buy first.
The Holdfast
This is the most famous gramercy woodworking tool. Honestly if you ask any serious hand tool woodworker about gramercy, the first thing they will say is the holdfast.
A holdfast is a tool you use to hold your wood piece on the bench while you work. It is super simple actually. You just put it on your workbench hole and hit it with a mallet, and it grips the wood very tight. No screws, no complicated mechanism.
The gramercy tools holdfast became popular because it is reliable and not too expensive. Earlier versions in the market were either cast and broke easily, or hand forged and very costly. Joel and his team designed a factory made version that is strong, works well, and is affordable. It became their bestselling product.
If you are a beginner and you have a workbench, get the gramercy tools holdfast first. It will change how you work with wood. Seriously.
The Gramercy Saw
The gramercy saw is another very well known product. Specially the dovetail saw. It is a 9 inch saw with 19 teeth per inch which sounds like a lot but it works surprisingly well even on hardwood.
I have read many gramercy woodworking reviews from people who bought the dovetail saw and most say the same thing. It is light, easy to start, easy to control, and gives very clean cuts. One person said it felt like perfection with a walnut handle.
There is also a sash saw, a beading saw, and a veneer saw in the gramercy lineup. But for complete beginners, the dovetail saw is the one I would suggest to start with.
Rasps and Brushes
Gramercy woodworking also makes rasps which are file like tools for shaping wood. And they make lacquer brushes for finishing. The brushes are specially good, Joel spent six months just researching what makes a brush work well. That level of detail is hard to find in other brands.
Gramercy Woodworking Reviews: What Real People Say
So I wanted to know are these tools actually worth the money or is it just marketing. I looked at many gramercy woodworking reviews from forums, woodworking communities, and product pages.
The general feeling is very positive. People who buy gramercy woodworking tools say they are surprised at the quality, especially compared to the price. The holdfast in particular gets almost all positive comments. People say it grips better than they expected and lasts a very long time.
The dovetail saw is also praised a lot. A furniture school teacher in UK wrote that at first she thought the saw was too light and thin. But once she started cutting, she did not want to put it down. That is a good sign right?
Are there any negative reviews? Yes a few. Some people say the veneer saw blades are a bit tricky to get used to, specially the French blade style. Some say prices have gone up in recent years. But even critics usually agree that gramercy woodworking tools perform very well.
Compared to brands like Lie Nielsen or Bad Axe, gramercy is generally more affordable while still giving good results. For beginners this is very important. You dont want to spend $300 on a saw when you are just starting.
Popular Woodworking Magazine actually gave the gramercy dovetail saw a product of the year award and also ranked it number one in a carcase saw comparison test. You can read more independent reviews from real testers over at Popular Woodworking to see how gramercy woodworking tools stack up against other brands.
Gramercy Woodworking for Beginners on a Budget
Now this is something I personally think about a lot. Because when I started woodworking, money was a big concern for me. I couldnt just go and buy everything at once.
The good news is gramercy woodworking is actually quite beginner friendly in terms of budget. The holdfast is one of the more affordable options in the market compared to other heavy duty bench holding tools. The dovetail saw is priced reasonably for the quality you get.
My suggestion for any beginner is this. Start with the gramercy tools holdfast if you have a workbench. Then if you want to do joinery work, add the 9 inch dovetail gramercy saw. These two together wont break your bank and they will serve you for years.
You dont need every tool on day one. I know its tempting to want everything but just start small. Also if you want to know how to get into woodworking properly without spending too much money check out this guide on how to get into woodworking that I wrote earlier, it will help you plan your tool budget better.
Gramercy Woodworking Parts and Availability
One thing beginners often worry about is can I get spare parts or replacements. Gramercy woodworking parts are mostly available directly through the tools for working wood website.
For the veneer saw, replacement blades are available in different styles which is actually a big advantage. You can swap blades based on what material you are cutting. This kind of flexibility is nice for someone who wants to grow with the tool.
The holdfast doesnt really have parts to replace since it is one solid piece. If it works, it works forever basically. That is one more reason beginners love it.
Gramercy Woodworking for Sale: Where to Buy
So where can you actually buy gramercy woodworking tools? The main and official place is the gramercy woodworking website which again is toolsforworkingwood.com.
They ship to USA and some international locations also. Shipping is usually fast from what I have read. And Joel even mentioned they offer free return shipping if you dont like a product. That is a pretty confident thing to offer, shows they trust their own tools.
You might also find gramercy woodworking for sale on Amazon sometimes, or on specialty woodworking shops online. But always check the official website first for full range and correct pricing.
How Gramercy Compares to Other Beginner Friendly Brands
Okay I know many of you are also looking at other brands. So let me quickly compare.
Gramercy woodworking versus regular hardware store brands, gramercy wins on quality easily. Versus premium brands like Lie Nielsen, gramercy is more affordable and nearly as good for many tasks.
There is another Brooklyn based shop called Rockler which sells many woodworking tools also. I have a detailed review on Rockler woodworking and hardware if you want to compare options before buying.
Gramercy is more focused on hand tools specifically. If you want power tools, they are not the right brand. But for hand tool woodworking which I personally love, gramercy woodworking is hard to beat at their price point.
Should Beginners Buy Gramercy Woodworking Tools
Yes. Absolutely yes. But let me explain why I say this with some confidence.
Most beginner woodworkers make the mistake of buying very cheap tools first. Then those tools dont work well, they get frustrated, and they quit. I almost did the same thing.
Gramercy woodworking tools are in the middle ground. Not cheapest, not most expensive. But they perform like expensive tools at a not so crazy price. For someone just starting, that sweet spot is exactly what you need.
Also the gramercy woodworking website has so much free learning material that buying from them feels like joining a community, not just buying a product. And trust me that matters a lot when you are learning.
Gramercy Woodworking Review: My Personal Take
Okay so I want to be honest like always. I am Udit Das, I run easydiywood.com, I am a DIY hobbyist not a professional woodworker. I have used the gramercy tools holdfast and I read many other people’s experience with the saw and other tools.
My honest gramercy woodworking review is this. If you are serious about hand tool woodworking, gramercy is a brand you should know about. The holdfast alone is worth it. The dovetail saw is top notch. The website is genuinely helpful for learning.
Is it perfect? No. Some tools are pricey if you are on a very tight budget. And you wont find gramercy in your local hardware store most likely. You have to order online which some people prefer, some dont.
But overall? Gramercy woodworking is a trustworthy name. I feel good recommending it to beginners who want quality without over spending.
FAQs About Gramercy Woodworking
Who makes gramercy woodworking tools?
Gramercy woodworking tools are made by Joel Moskowitz through his company Tools for Working Wood, based in Brooklyn, New York.
Where can I find gramercy woodworking for sale on a budget?
You can buy direct from toolsforworkingwood.com or look for used gramercy woodworking tools on eBay and woodworking community forums to save money.
Is the Gramercy Tools holdfast good for beginners?
Yes absolutely, the Gramercy Tools holdfast is one of the easiest and most useful tools for beginners, it grips wood with just a single mallet tap and costs around 30 dollars for a pair.
Can I get replacement parts for gramercy woodworking tools?
Yes, gramercy woodworking parts like bow saw blades are sold separately and they also offer a backsaw sharpening service so you dont have to buy a whole new saw when the blade gets dull.
Conclusion: Should You Try Gramercy Woodworking?
So at the end of everything I want to say this. Gramercy woodworking is not just a brand name. It is a small but very respected part of the hand tool woodworking world. Made by people who actually love woodworking, not just by a business trying to sell things.
If you are starting your woodworking journey in 2026, put gramercy woodworking on your list. Start with the holdfast. Save up for the dovetail saw. Visit the website and read the free articles. You will learn so much just from doing that.
Gramercy woodworking might not be the most famous brand you have ever heard of but once you start using their tools, I think you wont go back to random cheap brands. At least that is what most people who try it say.
Hope this helped you understand gramercy woodworking better. If you have any questions just drop them in the comments below. I read everything and try to answer as much as I can.
Happy woodworking friends!
