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A drawing of Jim Tolpin on the job from “Jim Tolpin’s Woodworking Wit & Wisdom.”
I remember binding my first book when I was about 10 (it was an illustrated guide to the military vehicles in World War II) on my workbench out in the shop. So I’ve been a writer for about as long as I’ve been a woodworker.
Plus, for about six years, I wrote copy that described the products for the WoodWorker’s Book Club, so I got to read just about every woodworking book published.
As a result, I have some real favorites when it comes to the craft of writing about the craft of woodworking. If you like good verbiage, here are a few writers who you might want to check out.
Jonathan Binzen: Though I’ve never met the fellow, sometimes I feel like a skin stalker. I read everything he writes, whether it’s for Woodwork magazine or Fine Woodworking, even if I’m not interested in the topic. Hands down, Binzen writes the best profiles of woodworkers. He gets great details. He teases narrative out of difficult subjects. He obviously loves woodworking. Look through your copies of these magazines and I think you’ll agree. And check out “Arts & Crafts Furniture,” the book he wrote with Kevin Rodel. It’s a great read.
Jim Tolpin: Without his book “Measure Twice, Cut Once,” I think I’d still be a hopeless hack. Tolpin’s gift is that he can explain complex ideas (such as proportioning furniture) with an economy of words. And he has a gift for memorable phrases. He once described the lever cap of his block plane like it was a “worry stone in his hand.” Also, “The Toolbox Book” is essential (and fun) reading. My copy is just about to fall apart.
Scott Landis: To me Landis is like one of the so-called “New Journalists,” like Tom Wolfe or Hunter S. Thompson. Landis seems to throw himself into his writing almost obsessively (read “The Workbench Book” if you don’t believe me). And his enthusiasm is contagious. Plus, with Landis, no detail seems too small. I like that.
Anthony Guidice: What happened to Guidice? He seems to have disappeared, and that’s too bad. When I first read “The Seven Essentials of Woodworking” I howled in disbelief. I didn’t agree with half the stuff in the book. Yet is was written in such a convincing and powerful way that I consumed every word and recommend the book to beginners. It gets you fired up. Also, Guidice wrote the best interview ever with Frank Klausz, in Woodwork magazine.
Graham Blackburn: I’ve always liked the way Blackburn weaves history, shop practice and personal narrative into his books and articles. Plus, I’ve always been jealous that he can draw. You can get a great dose of his style of writing from “Traditional Woodworking Handtools.”
By the way, my first publishing effort didn’t go so well. I remember presenting my little bound book to my parents that evening. They looked it over. They looked at each other. Then I think it was my dad who said: “Have you ever thought about becoming a lawyer?”
– Christopher Schwarz
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I actually did mention Krenov, although it was to call him
obnoxious and annoying. I meant that in the best possible
way!
One of the things I’ve always found odd about James Krenov
is his pupil’s sort of quasi cult like devotion. It seems
to me that their definition of fine furniture is furniture
that looks….just like James Krenovs.
Chris
Krenov’s my favorite. Anthony Guidice 7 essentials I’ve checked out of library many times. He makes it sound like a sin to use anything other than LN. Funny guy.
re: the comment above, citing the loss of Woodwork magazine…I asked the new editor, Tom Caspar for the details of the magazine’s actual non-death. He replied:
"The quick facts are: Woodwork is still alive. It has new owners and and a new editor, but the content will be the same. Woodwork is changing from a bimonthly to a quarterly. Subscriptions will just roll over. If someone has a question about their subscription, they can get help at 866-927-0956."
Neil,
I actually read a lot of older stuff. It usually transmits more information, but is fairly dry….
I’m surprised more people haven’t brought up James Krenov. He’s inspired so many people.
Chris
That’s a very small select group there, all writing in the same time period. I like the the older texts, "Fine Furniture for the Amateaur Cabinetmaker", AW Marlow comes to mind. Not the prettiest nuts and bolts writing, loaded with black and white photo’s, a solid procedure, flipping back and fourth to the photo’s might be a bit awkward, but more importantly, he forced you to visualize and expectations where presented at a higher level.
I think serious consideration should be given to Chris Schwarz as one of the top writers in the field. Highly readable,interesting digressions (to grits, beer, and most important,his family), humor that I find easy to relate to, and a conversational tone that informs without pontification constitute a rare combination that keeps us coming back for more.
Not to knock anyone else on the list, as they all deserve praise, but we could easily start here.
Perhaps we should all take a moment to mourn the loss of Woodwork magazine. I did not like all the furniture – but I appreciated the talent and always looked forward to the interviews. I still hope for its return.
Guidice sounds like Popular Woodworking’s very own
Mike Dunbar(whom I greatly enjoy reading). From the
current issue on spokeshaves: "While the metal-bodied
version has the same name, it works in a very different
way and nowhere near as well." And that is what Mike thinks
about that! Gotta love it.
One of my favorites to read in interviews of all time has to
be James Krenov. In his late years he has become so
annoying and obnoxious it is quite amusing.
Ha! You wouldn’t make it as a lawyer, Chris. Judges are not known for appreciating a wry wit and a sarcastic sense of humor….
It’s funny you say that about Guidice, Chris. That dude is hilariously vain. His old articles in Woodwork always cracked me up and I bought his book because if that. It doesn’t disappoint, his insistence that his way is the only way, and especially the pictures of his furniture with tear out everywhere. Maybe if he used a crosscut saw… But like he says, handmade furniture should look handmade.
I also thought it was funny how he insisted that European wooden planes were the best, only way to go, then all of a sudden he switched to Lie-Nielsen.
Anyway, I like to read him, too.
– Kit
Another vote for Watson who, like Blackburn, can draw; "Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings" was recommended to me when I got started in this hobby. I read it and fell in love with both the book and the endeavour.
My favorite has to be John Brown’s book about Welsh Stick Chairs. The man had a way of making me want to toss out anything with a cord attached to it and get to work.
Echo the Blackburn sentiment… And with that thought, also a fan of Aldren Watson.
I was just recently given an old copy of "Country Furniture" which I’ve enjoyed considerably. The tools and methods, yes. But what’s more is the history of the craft. That, to me, is a history that needs further work as it is being lost every day.
I’m still hoping for the Schwartz book on the English \ American Woodworking Apprentice System or the "Life and Times of Jim Kingshott." I yearn to read about what those young men went through. Not only what they learned, but how they learned it – and how it was used to complete the work at hand.
Who will speak for the "dead guys?" It’s up to you Neo.
Respectfully,
– jbd in Denver