Popular Mechanics Man Crafts: Leather Tooling, Fly Tying, Ax Whittling and Other Cool Things to Do

by Popular Mechanics Magazine (Editor)

As its servicemen returned home at the end of World War II, the US Army turned to Popular Mechanics to help them find new and lucrative occupations. A series of ten pamphlets was created, teaching skills that were “fun to do and profitable too.”


Reprinted here in a single volume, and featuring all of the original artwork, these mini instructional courses will entertain men of all ages—even if their workbench is really the living room coffee table! From leather crafts and bookbinding to block printing and cartooning, there's a hobby to be found here for anyone. More ambitious readers may consider learning coping saw techniques, or even ax crafts, which entail making rustic furniture and fixtures using a single hatchet. As charming today as it was industrious then, the book is packaged in a vintage style that authentically captures the “can-do” spirit of the era.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 2015

Reviews

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming volume of old-timey hand crafts. Just reading it brought to mind one of those old television announcers from the 1950s. There are ten basic crafts that it demonstrates, with an example project for each one. You can make stuff out of tin cans, or carve wood with an ax. Some of the projects are pretty neat, like tying your own fisherman's flies. Others are things that I don't really think I would do, like tying your own fisherman's flies.

Kidding aside, this is a charming bit of Nostalgic Americana, when you could buy things for less than a dollar and everything could be supplied by some government agency, since you are in the armed forces and have nothing else to do. Although a lot of these crafts are pretty cool, they are things that I wouldn't actually do. That doesn't really detract from the book itself though.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

They are definitely manly crafts, but still fun. I look forward to doing some of them with my son, when he is old enough.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a First Reads promotion.

I thought this book did a good job explaining how to start a new hobby for a novice. The diagrams and descriptions were a little difficult to follow at times, but overall, I was able to get the gist of what was being taught.

The practicality of some of these skills may not be all that high (how to tie a fly for fishing, tin can craft, etc.), but this book can help to pick up a new hobby for someone following in the footsteps of previous generations as well as the new breed of people who love to work with their hands (Nick Offerman comes to mind).

This book also brings back feelings of nostalgia, and the wording and illustrations definitely have the feel of a post-WWII era. A quick read for sure, and overall very informative.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won/received this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

Great little book. I entered this giveaway for my husband and of course I checked it out first lol. I found it to be very well put together and very informative. There are a lot of wonderful little tricks in there and my husband is thrilled with it.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on the Goodreads giveaway. I entered to win it in hopes of being able to give it to my son. It arrived quickly and what an awesome book it is. It is so nicely bound and just really a cool book. I will be giving it to him tomorrow. There is no doubt in my mind that he will thoroughly enjoy it!

[Michael Shulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This book is very informative with great illustrations explaining all the cool stuff people do with their hands. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to make something cool to impress their family and friends.