Beginning in a tiny backyard shed in West Rockport, Maine four decades ago, Tom LieNielsen built his company with the mission to refine and improve age-old hand plane designs and to use superior materials like ductile iron and manganese bronze for castings & cryogenically treated A2 tool steel for blades to create beautiful, awe-inspiring tools for woodworking artisans. Lie-Nielsen has grown to occupy a 13,000 sq. foot production facility, utilizing a blend of CNC technology, classic Bridgeport milling machines, and a heaping dose of detailed & highly skilled hand work for making heirloom quality tools now known the world over.

With 2020 being the 40th year of tool making for L-N, there were plans this summer for a big celebration, before COVID-19 upended everything. While their tool production was suspended for a number of months, we’re happy to report L-N is back making tools, with modified operations to ensure workplace safety. As a result, their production volume is reduced for the moment, but they are working diligently to fabricate their tools with the same unwavering, total commitment to quality they have exhibited since 1981.

As a distributor & fan of Lie-Nielsen tools, we'd like this page to remind you of Made in the USA, Plane Awesomeness and of the good things to look forward to in 2021! Both Highland Woodworking and L-N appreciate your patience in holding on to your hand tool dreams in these difficult times and ask that you visit our website in 2021 (or call) for updates on Lie-Nielsen tool availability.