Never Used a Bench Hook? Here’s Why You Should A bench hook might look simple, but it’s one of the most useful shop helpers you can make. Mine has two fences—one for a crosscut saw and another for a finer back saw—so I can swap sides depending on the cut I need. It holds your work steady against the fence, keeps your hands clear of the blade, and gives you a clean reference edge for accurate cuts. For hand tool work, it’s about as handy as it gets. If you’ve never tried one, build a small bench