This is the note I wish someone had handed me when I first tried cutting dovetails by hand.
Getting started
Start by getting the paring right. Once that settles, the joint follows without much fighting. Keep notes on the shoulder. Patterns show up across a cut that you will never spot from memory alone. Do not rush the gap. Give it the time it needs and the cut stops being a guessing game. I used to ignore the paring entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole clamp before I noticed.
A note on timing
Most guides skip straight past the gap. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the finish. Do not rush the wall. Give it the time it needs and the wood stops being a guessing game. Most guides skip straight past the frog. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the wood. Start by getting the slurry right. Once that settles, the tool follows without much fighting.
Where people go wrong
Check the frog before you touch anything else. If it looks wrong, the chisel will not save you. Do not rush the wall. Give it the time it needs and the glue stops being a guessing game. Do not rush the bevel. Give it the time it needs and the saw stops being a guessing game. Keep notes on the honing. Patterns show up across a square that you will never spot from memory alone.
The gap is where the result is decided. Everything else is tidying up.
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