Rule 18 of 31 · Chapter IV — Keep Tools Sharp
Buy quality once, not twice
Why this rule exists
Cheap tools cost more in the long run. A bargain chisel that won't hold an edge, a plane whose sole isn't flat, a square that isn't square, these fight you every session and eventually get replaced anyway, so you pay twice. A good tool bought once holds its edge, stays true, and often outlives you. I'd rather own three excellent tools than a whole drawer of frustrating ones. Spend where it counts and the tool disappears into the work.
In practice
Prioritize accuracy and edge-holding on the tools that shape your results: chisels, plane irons, saws, and your marking square. Buy those new from makers with a track record, or hunt quality vintage steel, which is often superb and surprisingly cheap. Fill in the less critical tools as your budget allows over time. Learn to tune whatever you buy, since even good tools want flattening and honing before they perform at their best, and a tuned budget tool can outwork a neglected premium one.
When it doesn't apply
You don't need premium everything. Clamps, mallets, jigs, and consumables can be cheap or shop-made without hurting your work. And when you're new and unsure a hobby will stick, sensible mid-grade tools let you learn without a big outlay. Upgrade the tools you reach for constantly, not the whole wall.