Who do you consider to be an expert ????
JamesC67 | Posted in General Discussion on
Hello everyone, Maybe you all could lend me a hand on some information. I know that a lot of us consider Norm Abrahm one of the most influensial woodworkers to date but does anyone have any others that are considered just as good or maybe even better than Norm. Personally I know of a few that to me are woodworking legends and geniouses but I’d really like to hear from all of you and get your oppinions.
Thank You All and please have a safe and Happy New Years.
Sincerely; James Clark
the”PUTTERIN YANKEE”woodworking shop
Replies
Doc
I've asked the question of who are experts to 3 WW's I have had the pleasure to be at seminars with over the last 30 years. They all grinned and said there are no experts. In essense, no one person knows everything there is to know about this craft.
Another WW (we'll say the 4th, hem-hawed a little and didn't really answer the question of if there are experts or not). He left it a little open.
The three WW's I first mentioned are Maloof, Kresnov and Frid. The fourth WW I mentioned was Klausz. I guess we all have our opinions of this subject and all are as valuable as anothers opinion. I have my opinions and they agree with the first 3 WW's I mentioned. There are many other very talented craftsman out there that will never see the lime-light.
I have watched the 4 above work. No-one had to tell me they were master craftsmen. All you had to do was watch and "you knew".
Have a Happy New Year...
sarge..jt
Hello all, first let me say thank you for all of your replies they have been a lot of help. Next let me do now what I should have done before in my first post that is explain why I was asking about who you all think are pro's . The main reason I was asking was a couple weeks ago over at another woodworking group I posted a list that was sent to me it had twelve ways on how does a person know if he/she thinks that they are a woodworker I put it on the group as a joke like it was sent to me from a good friend of mine that also is a woodworker when he sent it he said dont be suprised if so called want to be ameture woodworkers take great offence to it. He could not have been more rite. I had peolpe royally give me a but chewing no matter how many times I let them know it was only done in humor and that there was no malice intended. One of the ways on the list was if you have never built anything from hand tools then you are not a woodworker. Aso it had a question if you prefer to watch Norm and have never watched Roy Underhill then you are not a woodworker. And one more was if the only person that you know to be a professional woodworker is Norm Abrahm then you aren't a woodworker. (I'm paraphrazing on these questions becouse I dont have the list rite here in front of me) So thats why I asked the question personally off the top of my head I knew of Mr Maloof and Mr Krenov I also have seen Mr Mike Dunbar in action (truly poetry in motion its true you sure can tell when a person is a true professional) I've also read articles on Mr Nakashima But I couldnt really think of a whole lot of anyone else. So it hit me pretty close to home so again let me say thank you all and if I can locate the list I'll post it on here but again I want to stress its only a joke with absolutly no malice intended at all.
Sincerely;
James Clark
Doc
Your thoughts are understood. Like I said and Floman and others have re-iterated, there are many master craftsman that will never be known to the general public. I am fortunate living here in Atlanta that I do see quite a number in seminars at Highland Hardware. It has been a learning center since the mid-seventies.
Hoping to see that Dubh fella giving a seminar there sometime. He seems to be illiterate with electricity, but his WW techniques seem to be top notch. He taught me the short fence method for the T/S. I built one and refuse to use the long fence anymore except for wide panels. Now what I would really like to see is how he plays rugby with a Marlboro hanging from his mouth when he lines up. he..he..
I hate to admit this, but I have never seen Norm on TV. Not much of a TV watcher and guess I don't get out much. Ha..Ha.. Somehow I have the feeling I haven't missed much. Looking forward to seeing the list you post. Curious to see how many on this forum will go ballistic. <grin>
Have a good evening...
sarge..jt
Sarge.. I have had the great pleasure of visiting Sgian Dubh (Richard Jones)at his workshop here in Houston. Richard is an easygoing and friendly fellow whose mastery of the craft is evident everywhere you look. But like all great masters he is extremely generous with his time and knowledge. Richard Jones may not be well known, but he is one of an elite few in the world who is truly at the top of his craft.
bill
Now I'm definitely embarassed, Bill. Mentioned twice in one thread. I really need a drink. I'm off to the fridge to save a few of those bottles of Belhaven from freezing to death-- I'll warm them up somewhere suitable. It was a pleasure to met you too. Slainte.Some stuff I've made.
bill
I would have to agree from the work he has posted and the knowledge he passes over the net. I would probaly have never heard of a short fence if he had not metioned and I pursued with a question to him about it. I got his answer and didn't quite absorb it all. ( I'm kinda dumb, but when I do catch on it sticks..he...) Slainte patiently corrected me with an explanation of what I missed on the first go. Been in love with the short fence since...
His sense of humor is top notch also. ROFL when he posted about lining up playing rugby with Marlboro in his mouth to keep his balance and not be off-sides. I think this would earn him a place on the Madden Hall of Fame Rugby Team. ha..ha..
Thanks for the confirmation.. he gets my vote (Not my beer Slainte, just the vote) <G>
sarge..jt
James,
I like Norm and I watch his show sometimes, however I don't think he is that good, at least not compared to many others I can think of. While I understand that he has sponsers who want to see their tools used on the show his almost total disregard for handtools really bugs me. I can't count the times he has taken time to build elaborate jigs and or setups to get a machine to perform an operation that it is just not good at. Or he goes thru that when he only has one or two of the same thing to make. Most of the time these operations could have been performed quicker and just as well (in some cases better), with a hand tool. Also him calling a project a "reproduction" and cutting the dovetails with a router or using plywood for the drawer bottoms ( often the cases as well) just runs against my grain. Ditto his extensive use of polyurethane finishes ( remember Minwax is one of his sponsers) bugs me. I'm not knocking him as a person as I have been told that he is a really nice guy. He certainly comes across as such on Tv. I'm not a hand tool purist as I have a pretty good stable of power tools with more on the way. I just believe in using the best and most efficient tool to get the job done. Now to your question regarding who else we look up to. I can think of several, such as Ernie Conover whom I have talked with personally and seen his shop/work as well as having read his articles. Mike Dunbar is another for whom I have the greatest respect and who has been an inspiration to me. Frank Klauz ( I hope I spelled his last name right is another. In the area of finishing you can't ignore Jeff Jewitt. Another guy who used to write a lot for FWW but whom I haven't seen much from lately is Gene Landon. This guy is a purist who may take his reproductions to extremes in the minds of some people but from whom I have learned a lot. He is a great cabinetmaker and a member of the society of period furniture makers. Mack Headly who is the master in the Anthony Hay cabinet shop in Colonial Williamsburg is another for whom I have the greatest respect. He has also done several articles over the years for FWW and has been a guest on The Woodwrights shop with Roy Underhill on PBS. Speaking of Underhill, He is by far and away the guy I love to watch on TV (I'm speaking of woodworking type shows). Maybe it's because of my love for handtools but he is a lot of fun to watch while being informative at the same time, not to mention entertaining as well. I would watch him over Norm any day. I could go on but I think you get the idea.
Mark
Doc,
I have to agree with Mark. One of my greatest irritations is watching these woodworking shows and they perform all this wood cutting and at the end of the show they display their work. BUT THEY NEVER SHOW YOU HOW TO DO IT! They cut wood and make sawdust but they do nothing to enrich our knowledge of the craft.
This is probably the greatest reason I appreciate Roy Underhill so much he takes the viewer through each step of a project and reveals proper tool technics to enable the viewer to be able to learn new skills, the others do not .
My theory of a expert is a craftsman that is able to utilize both hand tools as well as power tools I am not a big advocate of owning the latest gizmo or gaget. Remember that all the classic work that we all try to emulate was done by hand and not the use of the"Meggawoodshapercuttersander 2000" It was accomplished with planes and chisels and a lot of skill. I am thankful for some of the power tools available it really helps me along. But they cannot replace skill.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Keep The Wood Flying!
I have to agree with choices like Maloof, Frid, Krenov, Klausz and the like. Also, Jeff Jewitt is a great source for wood finishes, but I would advise no one to miss the writing and wisdom of the late George Frank.
His lifetime of woodfinishing experience is second to no one and he's a great storyteller to boot. If ever you want a great read into a fairytalesque life, then pick up Frank's book entitled, "Adventures in Wood Finishing" I couldn't put it down. Therein he reveals almost all the secrets acquired over a lifetime of finsihing.
William
Have you ever looked at the magazine "American Craft" or "Woodwork"? There's a lot of great woodworkers profiled in those magazines that are more talented than Norm. It takes more than having a TV show to be a great woodworker. Norm's a pop phenomenon of the media. The Britanny Spears of woodworking. Mostly fluff or flannel as the case may be. Hopefully he won't be sporting the bare midriff look anytime soon. Look at the work of people like Tage Frid, Wendell Castle, John Cedarquist, John Makepeace, Frank Klaus, Kristina Madsen, Judy Kensley Mckie, Silas Kopf, Gary Knox Bennett, James Krenov for truly talented woodworkers and that's only the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion those who revere Norm so much haven't done much reading or keeping up with the galleries or high level craft shows. Personally I prefer the more modern far out stuff but I certainly can appreciate the more traditional woodworkers like Lonnie Bird and such. There's plenty of woodworkers just down the street from me and you as well that would turn down Norms application because he hasn't developed his skills enough. I'm not sure what the point of your question is but I hope you get to see more of the truly great craftspeople out there that aren't gonna be on your TV.
http://www.furnituresociety.org/confer/furn22/awards/makepiec.html
http://www.furnituresociety.org/exhibit/ex97/madsen.html
david marks is definitely no slouch either....... bear
big kudos to tom silva also.......
Edited 12/28/2002 4:31:13 PM ET by the bear
Doc,
They only thing I envy about Norm is the fact that the boy has every toy imaginable in his shop. I think that has something to do with sponsorship, yeah maybe. I do sometimes enjoy NYW but on TOH Tom Silva is "Da Man". Not necessarily as a WW but as a finished carpenter this guy is a genius. I have as have many that put in their two cents here on a regular basis done much more complex work than ole Norm. I do believe however that no one has the entire package. Their are to many disciplines and two many different aspects of WW for any one individual to master. After saying all this Maloof and Klaus are "true" Wizards in the work that they produce.
Have a great holiday season.
JB
Jb,
You mentioned Norm has every tool Known to man, however that doesn't go for handtools. In Norm's defense though ( and I already pointed out a lot of the shows shortcomings in my first post) we have to keep in mind that it is show business. The sponsers want to see their stuff being used even if it is not efficient to do so. I do think that Norm knows more than he appears to on the show. Remember that they sell plans for all of the stuff that Norm builds and they are trying to market to the weekend woodworker / DIY er. I don't think they have the really serious woodworker in mind. That said I think Norm has been somewhat responsible for the increase in the last 20 years of people desiring to work wood. I'm not saying he is solely responsible just that he has contributed to the growth, which has undeniably benifeted us all. Look how many sources and manufacturers there are now for woodworking related items and supplies. Not to mention periodicals and woodworking books by great authors such as some of the ones already mentioned in this thread. It still bugs me to see some of the things that are done or sometimes not done on the New Yankee Workshop but as I said you have to keep in mind that it is show business. Maybe if we could get Garrett Wade or Lee Valley to help sponser Norm then things might change for the better. Who knows?
Mark
I would also like to mention the not-so famous woodworkers, the people behind the famous. We all agree that Malof is a master, but sam is only one of four workers at his shop. Mike Johnson, Larry White, David Wade all are master craftsmen. When sam is on one of his many travels who do you think keeps the the work going out the door? What about the Nokashima (spelling?) shop? From what I can see the pieces looks the same as when Gorge was making them.
What about here on Knots? We have some of the best (I think) woodworkers in the world. I don't want to single out any one person because there are so meany (but I think it would be ok in this case). When you see the handle Sqian Dubh you don't reed his posts just for his humor and wit. I have ben woodworking just about my whole life and every time I log on to this site I get learn something new.
For every famous woodworker I bet there are a hundred not so famous master Woodworkers out there.
Jeff in so cal
66 f---45%
I long ago put Skiing Dubious on the 'Ignore' button Floman. He's the compleat balloon. I think I need a drink. Slainte. Some stuff I've made.
Like I said wit and humor
The drink sounds good! My preferred is a couple or three Coronas. I'll buy!
Jeff in so cal
66 f---50%
My favorite definition of an expert: An "ex" is a has-been, and a "spert" is a drip under pressure.
Look at the section in FW that features readers' work ("Current Work"). You'll note that almost none of the names ever post here and that the work is usually a lot better than the stuff we post here. But don't take my word for it - look at the gallery here on Knots vs. a few months' worth of readers' projects from the magazine.
You can also look at the piece that's featured on the back cover of the magazine each month. The people whose work is featured on the back cover are masters. Your goal is to have one of your projects featured on the back cover of the mag.
The FW editors don't dick around with blanket chests and lazy Susans when they pick the project to be featured on the back cover.
Edited 12/29/2002 7:41:00 PM ET by CHASSTANFORD
When one asks about an "influential woodworker" are we talking about a person who does GREAT WORK or are we talking about one who TEACHES WOODWORKING WELL"? Doing great work doesn't mean that you can teach others to do it. Tiger Woods may be an outstanding golfer, but can he teach others to do it? There are many teachers who aren't reknown in their area but have started many others who have gone on to fame and fortune. I think most of us are looking for people who can teach us, so maybe the question is, "Who is the best teacher of woodworking"?
Krenov, Frid, and Maloof all have histories of teaching, and teaching well, as well as being masters of their craft. There are many others, I know, but these three are the best known among all.
The regular contributors to FWW are also topnotch craftsmen. A partial listing would have to include (in no particular order) Christian Becksvoort, George Nakashima, Sandor Nagyszalanczy, Phil Lowe, Richard Raffan, Ernie Conover, Gary Rowgowski, Lee Grindinger, Jim Tolpin, Niall Barrett, Mario Rodriguez, and Kelly Mehler. This list is by no means complete. It includes only those name I can easily remember.
We owe much to these masters of our craft, for they have not only excelled, they have urged us, cajoled us, pushed us, to excel as well.
I salute them all with heartfelt thanks.
--
Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon
On the Redwood Highway
Edited 12/31/2002 1:04:14 AM ET by Lee
Doc,
What a question! Just open any issue of FWW to any page and you'll find a much more talented, experienced woodworker than Norm is. I find Norm's shows interesting, and once in a while even get a good idea, but remember that Norm is a carpenter by trade, not a furniture maker.
Jeff
Edited 12/30/2002 12:44:06 PM ET by Jeff K
Good point. Norm is a carpenter. In fact, they used to introduce him as Master Carpenter, now they introduce him as a Master Woodworker. What's a master woodworker? I remember watching a two-episode project where Norm builds a storage shed. Boy, he was in high clover.
But I didn't want to talk about Norm. In my opinion one of the best furniture makers and a great teacher to boot is Phil Lowe. I've had the good fortune to have taken two, one-week classes from him and I'm here to tell you that he is great! If you have any doubt about his skills just watch one of his Fine Woodworking videos. The one where he shows how to measure an antique Queen Ann chair and then spends the second half of the video building a reproduction is especially good. He also contributes to other woodworker's knowledge by teaching, writing articles and doing demonstrations, like at the last Society of Period Furniture Makers gathering. He also has is own woodworking school.
Kelly Myher is another great woodworker that I've met. In addition to producing great furniture, he writes books and articles, teaches classes and crusades for improved table saw safety.
Gary Rogowski is another who is a great woodworker. He produces many original designs and helps other woodworkers as a teacher, writer and star of several how-to videos. He also started his own woodworking school.
I guess you may notice a theme here. To be great the woodworker must not only have the skills of a master, but he or she must teach others how to follow in their footsteps.
Brandon Ford, Lincoln City, Ore.
Not that I spend an awful amount of time in front of the tube, but Norm and David Marks have their place - in stimulating interest in something we love to do or make a living at - woodworking. For me, it's a much needed hobby and I cherish the amount of time that I spend in my garage shop. It's not that I create works of art, being extremely limited in the skill set area, but I have been able to extend some of the concepts that Norm and David apply in their shows to increase my WW knowledge.
I agree with some of the others relative about hand vs. power tools. After all, a screwdriver is not and ice pick or can opener, I would love to have someone show me the correct methods of using a bow saw or jointing a edge with a plane. I know that there a books upon books on the subject, but there is no substitute for learning first hand.
Happy New Year
JB
Hello All I'm sorry that I havn't been able to get back before now but I've been having computer problems and I just got them worked out. (FINALLY) It seems that if it doesn't have to do with woodworking or a mechanical situations I'm lost aspecially when it comes to this !*^#%&@ computer. At any rate first like I said before Thank You All for your responces you have all been a really great help to me not only to this situation but you all ask questions that pertain to your lives and the situations that arise in your shops. So like I said earlier I had this list e-mailed to me and I put it on another site it raised a lot of haveck with the members. I was called nasty names and one guy said that I was jealouse of Norm and that I also was jealouse becouse I didn't have my own T.V show like he did. One guy wanted to know what credentials/or reasons that I had to put such a list on the group when I told him that it was passed to me and was only a joke he got real p.o'ed and asked if I was some sort of psycologist or somthing in order to say what's a joke and what's not I told him that the only credentials that I have is a Masters in Industrial Education and I studied woodworking/carpentry as an apprentice for five years with a 45 year vetran to the woodworking proffession. He was from Ireland and came here in 1959 to open his own buisness in New York he did so until his death in 1987 if anyone is a pro he is to me. My master woodworkers name is Randall McGregor. But then acording to him I was then bragging. Until now I've never said anything about myself in fact I've been literally in absolute Aw from all of you. When I read posts and see the pics it always seems to astonish me on the work that you all do Also to me you all should be on the same list as peolpe like Malloof ,Dunbar,Krenov and Nakashima.Well Ive put it off long enough so now I'll post the list but before I do please keep in mind its only a joke and suppose to be humorouse so please try not to hold it against me.
1)If you think that you need a new router but before you go buy one you have to get at least 10-12 responces from peolpe on the web about what kind that they would buy (then you are not a woodworker)
2)If the reason why you think that you need a brand name tool is to hand it down to a family member as an airlume instead of actually using it(then you are not a woodworker)
3)If before you start even your first project you have to put a post on the web to ask if someone knows where they can get plans for that project (then you are not a woodworker)
3)If the only woodworkers that you know to be pro's are TV personalities and you have know idea who peolpe like Krenov,Maloof,Nakishima are (then your not a woodworker)
4)If all your tools were bought on a credit card (then you are not a woodworker)
5)If you dont at least have one relative that was or is a woodworker (then your chances of being a woodworker isn't very good)
6)If you dont own at least one antique woodworking tool (then you are not a woodworker)
7)If the only way that you think that you are a woodworker is you built a deck off the back of your house (then you are not a woodworker)
8)If the only way that you think that you're a woodworker is somone tells you that you are handy or they call you a jack of all trades (the you are not a woodworker)
9)If you don't have a clue on how to devide fractions (then you are most definately not a woodworker)
10)If you see a peice of furniture and know down deep that there's absolutely know way that you could ever build it but you use the excuse if I only had the tools that Norm guy has on TV then I could build that(then you are not a woodworker)
11)If somone asks a question on a forum but the only responce that you can come up with is to make fun of the spelling(then you are not a woodworker)
If even one person has ever called you a procrastinator(a person that keeps putting things off) (then you are not a woodworker I don't think,at least not today.maybe tomorrow,well maybe not then either,but maybe somday Huh I'm not sure when but maybe..................Ha Ha Ha)
If anyone has anything else to add to this list then please feel free since this list has was created and expanded from fellow woodworkers such as yourselves......
Ok there you all go the infamouse trouble making list but again I copied it from how I received it except for number 12 and I added that (Sorry)
Happy New Years to all
Sincerely Doc (a.k.a James Clark)
P.s number 11 about the spelling hits kind of close to home becouse I'm not a good speller also I'm not sure how to opperate the spelling checker on this @!%$#*&^ computer.....I need to spend more time with the kids and have them show me how to run the darn thing.
Edited 12/30/2002 9:07:44 PM ET by Doc
Doc,
Quite a list, most are true and most are funny. I can see how it might piss off some of the wanna-bes out there.
Mark
Doc,
I am by no means a professional but I think that your list is hilarious and accurate. I hope that some day I may be considered an excellent "woodworker". I am currently building my shop and trying to build a business as something on the side while I am in college.
I like the humor.
Matt-
Doc
I find the list humorous, not offensive. I realize my own strong and weak points. Just a matter of being honest with one's self. You should hone the strong points and work to strengthen the weak ones.
Some walk the walk.. Some talk the talk. For those that have been around WW awhile you sense who can do both and in my case appreciate it. For anyone to be offended that would be a tip-off of a possible weakness. The true master doesn't have to go around expounding how good he is. They seem to have an aura that surrounds them that says it without a word having to be spoken. As I said, "you just know"..
As I say about myself, "I am who I am, nothing more..nothing less..." This has conttibuted to 30 years of one h-e-l-l of a thrilling ride with WW. Learning some new stuff every day with this computer thang and looking forward to improving my knowledge and skills..
THIRTY MORE..LETS ROLL......
sarge..jt
Dividing fractions?? Really?? I can't remember the last time I had to divide fractions in the shop. I must not be a woodworker. Or maybe I'm doing it in my head and don't even realize it. Wow, that must make me a Mastir Wudwerker.
Edited 12/31/2002 5:10:42 PM ET by CHASSTANFORD
Tongue-in Cheek Counterpoint from a wanna-be fulltime woodworker. I admire and respect all these icons but a point could be made (again not my opinion) -
Krenov - lets the wood tell him what it wants to be. I have a bitchen piece of curly elm that I've been holdin' on to for years. It hasn't said s h i t yet. The only voices I hear in my shop are the ones in my head. Makes the same cabinet over and over, kind of like Kurt Russel makes movies.
Nakashima - much better wood buyer than craftsman - take a big waney edged slab with a crack in it throw in a butterfly key or three and put it on a stand. He'd have starved if he was a potter.
Maloof - Oh please, the guy uses screws to hold the legs on those rockers.
Authors and teachers - Can't really hack it working wood so they work words. Close but no cigar.
Norm - Absolute genius? Yes. Real Woodworker? I don't think so Toto. Carpenter-cum-TV wood worker who gets to work with free tools that somebody else maintains, free wood and gets paid to boot. Best gig of all time? Possibly right up there with being the stage electrician at a Victoria's Secret show.
So #13 could be "If you're a no-name guy/gal making a living by putting out quality work on par with the big-names, you don't get paid to teach, write, endorse product or have a TV show and you can do fractions to 64ths in your head you're a real woodworker.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Well said.
Edited 12/31/2002 5:29:04 PM ET by CHASSTANFORD
I hate to differ with you, but the electrician is not the best job at the VS show. I only saw a small part of the program, but I did notice a young man with the task of making sure the model's behinds didn't shine in the spotlights. Using a small brush, his job was to powder their bottoms as they headed to the cat-walk. THAT is a career I'd like to investigate. I wonder if there is an intern program in place yet.
Tom
I stand corrected. drooling foolishly.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
TOM: Your going to have to get in line with me cause IM looking for the model powdering job also.. Wonder if the Ridgid & Delta pinup Gals need me to powder there Tops & Bottoms..Heck I would do it for free..<G>..
ToolDoc
This is the funniest piece I have ever read in any forum. I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I read you Krenov-Nakashima comments.
Maybe you out to get out of wherever you are and go to Hollywood!
Yeah I get that a lot, usually from my bosses. If you liked this, you'll probably like this too. Here's the set-up. Some empowered corporate minon (probably the coffee supply guy) put up this really poorly written and condesending sign in the break room about how we were using too many coffee cups. It went on to charactorize our coffee cup usage as cup misuse because employees should bring their own cups and leave the disposable cups for quests. Then it said our floor would have a ration of only 3 stacks per day ...
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Don't get frustrated by your mistakes ,We're only human! I"m a furniture builder and I tell people ,you got to be smarter than the tools that your working with and you get to think 1 or 2 steps ahead of what your doing, also a good woodworker can cover his mistakes or hide them.You got to use your head a lot working with wood ,it cost to much to make very many mistakes and still watch your hands so you can use them later and go home with all 10 fingers! I know all about the fingers , have scares to prove that mistakes can have a affect on your wood work,it reminds you not what to do, and I still have all my fingers.
Greetings!
I enjoyed your question and the answers that have come along. It seems that the division of opinion is along the line of who is making furniture, and who is teaching. Those who teach do a good thing, and I appreciate that teaching is not the same as producing, although you expect teachers to have something or how can they pass it on?
My impressions are about those who first opened my mind to new ideas and ways of thinking about working wood.
What has amazed me is during the last 25 years, how many truly fine craftsman (and women) have come along whose work is as good as any by the big names. If you read 2-3 of the fine furniture magazines like Fine Woodworking, Wood Work, etc and look at the galleries of current work, you have got to be impressed that there is a true revival of fine craftsmanship in the USA and also in England and Australia.
James Krenov's book about Fine Cabinet Making set me off using a band saw and making my own planes, etc. Then there is Sam Maloof, no one approaches him on pure design skill and execution. There is also the late,George Nakashima. But before them was Wharton Esherick, Robert_is it Whitley?____ who made the desk for President Reagan from wood salvaged from a British ship that had spent 100 years ice locked in the polar ice pack.
In the end, while those grand names influence the direction of the craft, the most satisfying thing for me to see is when a person starts trusting their own instincts and take a new turn coming up with something alive and elegant-it has become their own expression.
I think there are plenty of truly fine and world class jointers, and turners to carry on the traditions for a generation or two, and of course, each new generation, each new aspiring woodworker will need to make the discoveries again, on his or her own.
It is dynamic. My sense is that the teachers do a good thing, but they don't usually make the finest craftspersons.
Courage for the journey.
Ted
Ted,
I have to disagree with your last statement. While it may be true in other professions, I don't believe that the really good woodworking teachers give up their craft. In fact the opposite may be true.
The greatest woodworking teachers I've ever met are also the greatest craftsmen I've ever met. All four of them - Nora Hall, Kelly Myher, Phil Lowe, and Gary Rogowski - are easily in the top one percent in their craft. They happen to be great teachers too. I think the teaching reinvigorates their exploration of the craft. While teaching may cut into their actual production time, the additional creativity the teaching brings more than makes up for it.
I believe you don't have to be a great teacher to be a great craftsman - there are many out there who go unrecognized - but to be a great woodworking teacher you must be great at your craft. "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"
Happy New Year,
Brandon Ford, Lincoln City, Ore.
Ron Christensen of Boca Raton FL. A kind patient talented woodworker with a heart of gold. And of course his wife Alicia
Thanks for your observation. generalities are full of exceptions. Charlesworthy, a current author in UK also has given up commission work to full time teach in his own studio. He was trained as an engineer. His books are an excellent read(got mine from Leevalley online). He felt he could not do both at the same time.
The reasoning about teaching and producing is that it takes time to teach, and teaching is a talent in its own rite. It also takes time to produce quality woodwork. It is rare that one person is doing both at a world-class level.
Are you a teacher? Actually, I'd like to teach one day, but then, what about time for taking care of the tools your students use, etc. etc.
Ted
I, for one, am sorry to hear that David has given up commission work. I think that's rather like the college professor who completely gives up research or other means of original scholarship. Seems like a sure path to staleness.
I don't think he has. I believe Charlesworth has always maintained a portion of the day for bench time for his own projects. I do think he is a wonderful teacher, though. Many of the questions which cycle through this forum repeatedly are answered in his two books. He is the primary reason I subscribe to Furniture and Cabinetmaking magazine in addition to FWW.
BFORD11: "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle?"
Brandon, would you happen to know to whom that quotation is attributed? I really like it. Thanks for sharing it.
--
Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon
On the Redwood Highway
Lee/Brandon,
Here's a good link to on-line search engines of quotations.
http://au.dir.yahoo.com/reference/quotations/
and it appears that it's biblical, news to me but maybe not to you - here's the link
Cheers, eddie
Hi Lee,
I don't have my Bible with me but I think it is First Corinthians, Chapter. 14 and about vs. 8. So that would make it Paul, I think.
Brandon
Long ago an old school teacher told me "If you really want to know something , try teaching it to someone else"
The hazard in teaching is that it takes you away from the daily practice that is so important to a craft requiring hand-eye coordination. On my day job when I am demonstating to a new apprentice I usually end with the line "Not bad for an old man with glasses but I expect you to do better" HaHaIt's not what you chew, it's how you chew it
Long ago an old school teacher told me "If you really want to know something , try teaching it to someone else"
Well said, been there done that. You can take it further than you found it for sure!
Had the opportunity to teach some great young folks forestry, don't know who got more out of it, me or them.....I had a wonderfully time. I would advise anyone to teach something, it's a great feeling of giving!
Dale
Doc,
I had the pleasure of participating in a 2 week woodworking seminar in 1990 with Ian Kirby. He was a frequent contributor to FWW back in the day, and is still active in woodworking and teaching in California. Search for him by name on the Internet and you will find his website. The 2 week seminar did not involve building a final project. Instead he taught hand tool techniques, sharpening, veneering, preparing stock, and a number of fundamental skills that he recognized as prerequisites for anyone to progress as a woodworker. He is an excellent teacher, and this course provided me with a good understanding of many woodworking fundamentals. He has published some books that provide detailed instruction as well.
Although I can't give them a name, I've seen a couple of programs on tv about large boat building. One was a copy of an old Frigate, one was a copy of one of Columbus's ships and the other was a Viking long ship. Pretty amazing joinery and steam bending of boards, planks and beams.
Don
ahhhh but he said most influential, now there in lies a different question, speaking of Norm. I believe that norm has done more for the woodworking hobby than all others combined in regards to getting people into it. After that the table turns and we move on, but I do believe he has brought more people into woodworking than everyone else combined!!
kelly mehler should go on the list. great guy, great woodworker and teacher.
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