10 Best Woodworking Magazines

Have you ever walked around at a craft show or woodcarving event and wondered where these people get these wonderful ideas? How do they know what tools to use? How do they know the proper techniques to get the job done, right?

The long and short of it is that they have experience. These craftsmen have spent a lifetime figuring out how perfect their craft.

So how can you tap into all of that expertise without leaving your house? Just look for the best woodworking magazine you can find. Inside these high-quality pieces of literature, you’ll find lots of tips and tricks to master the art of woodcarving.

We’ve looked at ten of the best woodworking journals and reviewed what we feel are the top three to help you find the one that will best help you.

Top 10 Woodworking Magazines Ultimate Table

PictureNamePriceRating(1-5)
1. Wood$$
  • 4.5/5
2. Family Handyman$
  • 4.5/5
3. Woodsmith$$$
  • 4.4/5
4. Fine Homebuilding$$$
  • 4.4/5
5. Woodcarving Illustrated$$
  • 4.4/5
6. Woodcarving$$$$
  • 4.4/5
7. Woodworker’s Journal$$
  • 4.3/5

8. Fine Woodworking$$$
  • 4.2/5
9. Popular Woodworking$$
  • 4.2/5
10. Woodcraft$$$
  • 4.2/5

Buying Information

When you are looking for the best woodworking magazine, there are a few factors that you should always consider.

  • The Length of Subscription. Anytime you are looking for a magazine subscription, you should try to get your money’s best value. Therefore, you should look for a magazine that comes out with a new issue regularly, but is not too expensive.
  • Target Audience. Is the magazine written for beginners or more with experts in mind? If you are new to woodcarving, you will want a magazine that explains things straightforward and easy to understand. However, if you already have the experience, you can broaden your horizons to include more technical magazines.
  • Topics. Are you looking for a particular type of woodworking, or do you want a broader spectrum of projects? Make sure that you find a magazine that suits your expertise or interests.
  • Sample Plans. Does the magazine include different plans that are easy to follow and understand? Or does it just show various projects hoping to inspire you to create something of your own? Make sure that you pick a magazine that provides you with whatever information you need to improve your craft skills.

Top 10 Best Woodworking Magazine Reviews

1. Wood Magazine

With a subscription to Meredith Wood magazine, you get fourteen issues over two years. The subscription is a bit pricier than some of the other that we looked at, but the magazine more than makes up for that with high-quality content.

Each issue is chock full of ideas, plans, projects, and tool reviews. Meredith Wood has a more sophisticated clientele in mind, so this might not be the best magazine for beginners until they understand some of the ins and outs of woodworking. However, if you already have experience in woodworking, then this magazine will be a fantastic resource.

Summary: Meredith Wood will provide you with in-depth discussions on a wide array of topics; from the best new router bits to how to properly dovetail new desk drawers. It is written from an expert’s standpoint and may feature some terms and vocabulary that beginners may find intimidating.

2. Family Handyman Magazine

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After carefully reviewing lots of different magazines, this is our pick for best woodworking magazine currently available. It provides lots of helpful insights into the world of woodworking, with easy to follow articles that do not include overly technical language. This writing style makes it an excellent choice for anyone, but especially beginners.

You get eight issues a year with The Family Handyman magazine subscription, which is a superb value, considering that it is a low-cost subscription. Inside each issue are lots of great tips, reviews, and plans. The plans were for a wide assortment of woodworking projects, from benches to pergolas. They were easy to read and easy to follow. We thought that they would be easily adapted for different applications and make this an excellent value.

Summary: A subscription to The Family Handyman magazine provides readers with a lot of great resources. You get eight issues per year, and each one is chock full of useful plans, product reviews, and project inspirations. The tone of the articles is such that even a beginner can easily understand it.

3. Woodsmith Magazine

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Woodsmith magazine is much like our number 2 selection, Wood. It is a relatively technical woodworking magazine, making it ideal for more experienced artisans. However, if a beginner would like to take a chance on it, the magazine could be an excellent resource, as long as the reader is willing to look up some of the terms written in the articles.

This magazine will offer you plans, tool reviews, and project inspirations in a more technical format. These projects will range from the very simple, like dovetailed desk drawers, to the more complex, like the drawers’ desk to fit in.

With the Active Interest Media Woodsmith subscription, you will receive six issues per year at a relatively high price. While the content is outstanding, the price is the highest of our top three. The price may scare some consumers since we have reviewed and found cheaper alternatives that offer the same content.

Summary: Active Interest Media Woodsmith is for experienced woodworkers and beginners willing to do a bit of vocabulary research. The subscription is relatively expensive compared to some of the other magazines we reviewed, even though the quality of the content is extremely high.

4. Fine Homebuilding Magazine

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Have you ever wondered the difference between a nail and a screw? A hammer and saw? You’re not alone. Every day builders like you ask themselves, “What’s the difference?” But fret no more! Fine Homebuilding will answer all your many questions through its magazine.

Do you need some home improvement ideas? Fine Homebuilding magazine is here for you. With great tips and many weekend projects, this magazine has all of your home fixes covered.

Fine Homebuilding has everything that DIYers need to know about projects–you can find instructions for turning an old drawer into a tabletop or building afresh kitchen table from scratch in the pages of this fantastic publication. With tips and tricks from the pros, so much information about what’s out there worth doing, plus project ideas and insights straight from master builders themselves, and inspiration for dozens of new tasks with articles about people who make life easier by taking on upcycling and enhancing residential spaces.

5. Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine

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Ever wonder what angle is best for pegs? Wondered how I carve fluting? Curious about a stenciling technique? Never too good for something new, this magazine covered with all kinds of articles just waiting to educate you on wood carving. Loaded with project ideas that are perfect for carvers at any level, plus other awesome tidbits such as reviews of tools and essential lessons from experts.

Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine is the perfect choice for beginner and advanced carvers alike. With projects that will challenge beginners to kick off their creativity while still providing increased intricacy and detail for experienced woodworkers, this magazine is perfect for somebody of any skill level.

6. Woodcarving Magazine

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Woodcarving Magazine is your go-to source for all things woodcarving be it tools, techniques or projects.

Those who enjoy carving wood should absolutely love this product. This magazine has tons of helpful information for any carver, whether they’re just starting to carve or are a pro in the industry. From pointers on proper tools and sanding techniques to inspirations from some of the best carvers around, there’s plenty for everyone. From advanced articles on high-end carvings to how-to about homemade clamps and everything in between! Every issue provides artistic insights into the craft of carving with breathtaking pictures that detail every step of the process from start to finish. Clean typeface highlights inspiring feature images which show off the diverse work of top influencers as well as emerging talent from around the world.

Whether you’re a pro or more of an amateur, Woodcarving magazine has so much information to offer towards all aspects of this craft that you’ll be riveted throughout every issue!

7. Woodworker’s Journal

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Woodworker’s Journal is designed for all woodworkers, from hobbyists to professionals, who are looking for new project ideas and techniques.

Projects are presented in a detailed step-by-step format with photos and illustrations. A full size pattern is inserted in the middle of each issue. Departments cover joinery, finishing, products, techniques, hardware; this magazine has something for everyone who loves to work with wood. The experts covering these topics have been there before and know what they’re talking about. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced craftsman (or woman), Woodworkers Journal will have everything you need to explore your craft at any level!

8. Fine Woodworking Magazine

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Whether you’re sanding down a workstation, creating some shelves for your home, or building something out of scrap materials for the first time; this magazine will be right at your fingertips. Now with close-ups and pictures that are easy to emulate, it’s easier than ever to follow each step in order to create the work of art you’ve been dreaming about. Plus all these tips from experts will leave you completely covered when it comes time to tackle those difficult projects. The best part? It’s always at arms reach!

Fine Woodworking Magazine is geared towards people who want to learn more about the finer points of designing and constructing wood projects. It’s full of step-by-step instructions for anything you can imagine, from small projects to significant tasks. From close-ups, photographs, diagrams, and plans – there are expert tips at your fingertips.

9. Popular Woodworking Magazine

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This is not your typical woodworking magazine. Heck, it’s not even a magazine like you’re used to. It has all the fundamental knowledge necessary for solid craftsmanship from experts in every field of woodworking and shows readers how to be independent, mindful, and competent contributors in their own right.

The Popular Woodworking Magazine is a practical book that guides people through every step of processes necessary for good craftsmanship. The magazine goes into detail about techniques, tools and materials readers will encounter along their journey to independent, mindful, competent woodworkers.

10. Woodcraft Magazine

woodcraft magazine

Every issue of Woodcraft magazine is a new opportunity to create beautiful and innovative pieces from wood. Every project has expert advice. Every tutorial gives you the inside track on successful techniques for working with wood. There are step-by-step woodworking plans with illustrations and diagrams so you can be sure that your project will turn out just as planned.

It’s always good to know the history of any craft too, which is why in every issue you’ll find articles on what was happening in the world when something major happened in woodworking history.

The secrets laid out in these pages have been used by generations of professionals who know what they’re doing because only the best makes it past the editors.

Every issue of Woodcraft Magazine has something new and exciting for you. Whether it’s a new technique to try, or an article on how to make pallet wood look great, there’s always something interesting inside.