“Of all the tools we cabinetmakers have around us, the ones that are most neglected are knives… knives that fit our hand and the ways of carving suited to making certain things.” -James Krenov
The above passage is taken from page 38 of A Cabinetmakers Notebook. We use knives at our school daily for a variety of tasks, from carving and fitting wooden latches, consoles, edge treatment and fitting joinery. I spent a great deal of my youth in the far north, and I was always drawn to being out in the woods. It was there that I discovered the pleasure in making things, and carving.
I have often wrote about the other end of the plank passage in A Cabinetmakers Notebook on page 73. Upon completing my first piece as a student of Jim’s I read the passage that begins: “looking back on it…” At the end of each term at our school I have asked a student to read the passage in recognition of those who support us in our lives pursuing our beautiful craft.
This past week, I introduced a new exercise at the new school to further acknowledge these people, whether it be a partner, child, parent, family member or friend. I have carved rings for Yvonne for as long as I can remember. While many would argue that wood, is not an ideal material for this. If we are trying to make them delicate and fine, they also become quite fragile. While carving one recently for Yvonne, the pink ivory ring shown above, I remember thinking what a wonderful carving exercise it would make.
Bruce Moseley, and his partner Doneal were among the first people we met and made us feel so welcome upon arriving in Roberts Creek. I later learned that Bruce had taken a class with JK, the first I also went to in Santa Cruz 1978 his first lecture in California and then at Mendocino Art Center the following year. Upon returning suggested to Gary Kent that he should apply for the new fine woodworking program being set up there in Fort Bragg. Over the years both Gary and Bruce have been so very supportive of our school. Gary has served as our relief teacher since the schools inception. Bruce as well as speaking from fifty years in the craft as a true amateur, has passed along a significant amount of fine cabinet wood he has collected over the years to the school. Among the first pieces he passed along were some wonderful planks of kingwood and Honduran rosewood. Over the years some of this wood has found its way into some very special pieces of furniture made at our school including the cabinet that James made in his last term. That cabinet, turned out to be the last piece completed at the school in Roberts Creek. I have always recognized the importance of the wood’s story and have made a point of sharing this with my patrons and students over the years.
Last week, I took an off cut of some of the kingwood, and cut four ring blanks on Jim’s Stenberg bandsaw. One for Yvonne, myself and each of my students. Once carved they will be passed along to someone special at the end of the term. On Monday morning my students, Yvonne and I sat around the centre bench in the warm and quiet benchroom, and as I carved, I thought of our friends Bruce and Doneal.
Be well and enjoy your work, I know I am,
Robert