About WoodRiver
Making quality woodworking tools accessible since 2004
Who We Are
WoodRiver started in 2004 with a simple goal: make good woodworking tools that don’t break the bank. We saw too many woodworkers stuck between cheap tools that fell apart and premium brands that cost a fortune. There had to be something in the middle.
Our tools are made in China and Hong Kong, where we work directly with manufacturers who understand what woodworkers need. We handle distribution from the United States, which lets us keep prices reasonable while maintaining the quality standards our customers expect.
What We Make
We focus on hand tools and project kits. Our hand planes are probably what we’re best known for – the 5½ Jack plane has become a go-to for a lot of woodworkers. We also make spokeshaves, chisels, turning tools, clamps, and various project kits for everything from pens to kitchen utensils.
Every tool we sell gets tested. We know what happens when a blade doesn’t hold an edge or when a handle feels wrong in your hand. These details matter when you’re spending hours at the workbench, so we pay attention to them.
Our warranty is straightforward: we’ll replace or repair any tool that has defects in materials or workmanship for as long as you own it. Normal wear and tear isn’t covered, and neither is damage from misuse or poor maintenance. But if we messed up, we’ll make it right.
Our Approach
We’re not trying to compete with the top-tier brands that have been around for a century. Those tools are excellent, but they’re priced accordingly. We’re also not in the race to the bottom with tools that barely work out of the box.
What we do is provide tools that work well, last a long time, and don’t require you to take out a loan. Our blades are machined carefully. Our cast iron is solid. Our wood handles are comfortable. These aren’t revolutionary concepts – they’re just the basics done right.
What Matters to Us
Quality You Can Feel
Pick up a WoodRiver plane and you’ll notice the weight, the smooth sole, the sharp blade. We use premium steel and cast iron because they perform better and last longer. It’s that simple.
Fair Pricing
Good tools shouldn’t be a luxury. We keep our prices reasonable by working directly with manufacturers and cutting out unnecessary middlemen. More people should be able to afford tools that actually work.
Tools for Everyone
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been woodworking for decades, we want our tools to work for you. That’s why we include instruction manuals and make our products easy to maintain.
Steady Improvement
We listen to feedback and make changes when something isn’t working. Our tools today are better than they were last year, and next year’s will be better than today’s. That’s how it should be.
For Beginners and Pros
If you’re new to woodworking, our tools won’t intimidate you. They come with clear instructions and they’re forgiving enough that you can learn without fighting your equipment. If you’re experienced, you’ll appreciate the performance and reliability at a price that makes sense.
We’ve heard from architects using our planes on custom builds, cabinetmakers keeping them as backup tools, and hobbyists building furniture in their garages. They all find something that works for them in our catalog.
Looking Forward
Twenty years in, we’re still focused on the same thing: making tools that help people create what they want to build. The tools might get a little better each year, and we might add new products, but the core idea stays the same.
If you’re looking for tools that balance quality and price, give us a try. We think you’ll be happy with what you get.