And how, it will be asked, are these products to be recognized, and this demand to be regulated? Easily: by the observance of three broad and simple rules: 1. Never encourage the manufacture of any article not absolutely necessary, in the production of which Invention has no share. 2. Never demand an exact finish for its own sake, but only for some practical or noble end. 3. Never encourage imitation or copying of any kind, except for the sake of preserving record of great works. I shall perhaps press this law farther elsewhere, but our immediate concern is chiefly with the second, namely, never to demand an exact finish, when it does not lead to a noble end. For observe,...
We've been on a bit of a John Ruskin kick lately. In Issue Ten, we printed an excerpt from his classic work, The Stones of Venice, in which he extols the virtues of free workmanship. The opening spread of that article (titled "Savageness") might be my favorite ever. As I wrote in the introduction to that excerpt, Ruskin's impact on the world would be hard to overstate. As a brilliant thinker, social critic, and art scholar, Ruskin's ideas shaped cultural reforms in England, India, France, and many other places. I managed to track down a beautiful, complete set of The Stones of Venice on eBay for less than $50. This is an 1886 edition, published by George Allen. Allen was an early pupil and friend...
Whenever Mike and I are asked about upcoming issues, we try to contain our enthusiasm so as not to oversell our products. But we are usually so excited about the upcoming material because we bust our butts trying to make each issue even more refined, fascinating, and beautiful than the last. We are constantly honing the variety of skills it takes to bring this magazine into being. It seems like each time we discuss the latest issue on our podcast, we end up saying this one is “the best one yet.” The temptation is so strong that we’ve even made a rule for ourselves to refrain from that particular phrase so as not to tire our readers. With Issue...
Mortise & Tenon Magazine · 24 – Our Tools Shape Us
In this new episode of our podcast, Joshua and Mike discuss the idea that “we shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us” – the very theme that runs through Issue Ten (which is now officially in the hands of the printer). They look at several of the upcoming articles and discuss how they were impacted by them as they worked through the editorial process. Issue Ten is full of deep, thoughtful reflection on our tools and the work of our hands.
The Issue Ten Cover Design The table of contents has now been fully released and this is the last call for the Issue Ten subscription window! Tomorrow, Sunday, February 28th, is the last day to get in on the big send-out to subscribers. If you want to be in the initial release, make sure you order a subscription here. The Issue Ten Table of Contents Will Wheeler - “An Unexpected Gift: Discovering Calm in a Modern Apprenticeship” Jeff Miller - “An Exercise in Precision & Randomness: Replicating David Pye’s Fluting Engine” Al Breed - Book Recommendation Joshua Klein – “Ready Hands: A Letter to My Sons” John Ruskin - “Savageness” George Walker – “A Whisper from the Past: The Lessons...
“In my workshop above the door is my motto: “Ici nous sauvons le passé pour le futur,” which translates as, “Here we save the past for the future.”” After half a century of repairing and conserving period furniture, author Patrick Edwards has learned some valuable lessons. In Issue Ten, he will share some of those lessons with us.
In 2019, we at M&T were given a crash-course in French timber framing when dozens of international carpenters from the Charpentiers Sans Frontières came to Maine to build a blacksmith shop. The art of construction with hand-hewn timbers is closely guarded and preserved in France through traditional apprenticeship models which have been in place for centuries. In Issue Ten, we will hear from author Joseph Brihiez on his experiences as an apprentice to CSF carpenter Loïc Desmonts.
The beauty of a piece of furniture changes and deepens over the centuries. Wear and tear create patina, repairs give character, and the steady use of generations offers an intangible sense of connectedness to the past. In Issue Ten, we examine an early-18th century gateleg table that has stories to tell.
When it comes to sustainable and useful natural materials, it’s hard to beat the common cattail. Long used in traditional handcraft, it was the go-to choice for weaving comfortable chair seats for many centuries before the invention of factory-produced paper rush and other industrial products. But author Michael Updegraff believes it’s time for cattail rush to make a comeback.
As woodworkers, our tools are precious to us. We’ve grown accustomed to their quirks, learned their capabilities and weaknesses, and love the feel of their worn handles. They become extensions of our own hands. This connection between worker and tool has existed for millennia. But how have the Industrial and Digital Revolutions changed the way our culture defines “tools?”
