“Skill” has fallen on hard times lately. Instead of developing dexterity to hold a tool properly and use it accurately, modern woodworkers tend to reach for some sort of clever device. We tend to believe that it’s far better to rely on a jig than to develop the skill to work freehand. This debilitates new woodworkers because it gives them confidence without any growth of ability.
Issue Fourteen is no chronicle of the “good old days” – it’s an invitation to personal participation. The authors in this issue have crafted their words to inspire, but their aim is to inspire to something: namely, action. We want to see you roll up your sleeves at the bench, seek to cultivate personal skill, and enjoy the work of your hands.
“Book Recommendation: Early American Wooden Ware by Mary Earle Gould”
144 pages. Printed on premium, heavy (#60), uncoated paper for a classic look and tactile feel. Weighs 1 lb. Printed in the United States of America. Ad-free and independently published.
