Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
But what I am looking for is a more "human" touch. And I think most people recognise that imediately. Handtools are then just a means to an end.

No round over router bits, but carefull chamfers flowing in and out of the wood.

Kees, you are preaching to the converted. Only those woodworkers who care about these things will know the difference. This forum is about these differences.

I have seen too many examples on the forums around the WWW to recognise that the level of proficiency, aesthetics and skill vary so widely. I see furniture and tools displayed with such pride ... yet only a mother could love it. The type of detail that you hold up as important is only recognised by those with some experience.

Every year I enter a piece of furniture in the local woodshow competition. No one asks whether the joinery was made with a mortice chisel or a Domino. There are no extra points for handwork. There are no extra points for hand planing the finish. Does anyone ask a carver whether their winning carving was made with chisel or grinder? (And, having said this, it irks me that the very irregularities I mention that are a function of hand tool work are marked down in these competitions!).

So you and I can tell the difference between a routered edge and a rasped and scraped one. Like you, I prefer the slight irregularities of the latter. If the irregularities are important to you, then use handtools that will naturally (not deliberately) create them. Do them for yourself. Others are less likely to notice or care how you did it.

Regards from Perth

Derek