How many clamps do I actually need to start woodworking?

Across specialist woodworking communities, the consensus rule of thumb is "twice as many as you think," with a typical starter kit being 4–8 medium parallel or F-style bar clamps in the 24–36 inch range, plus a handful of cheap quick clamps for assembly work. Reviewers consistently warn beginners against buying a single expensive set—mixing tiers (a few quality parallel clamps plus budget quick clamps) is the most-cited approach.