I'm not one for philosophy. I can't sit for hours and contemplate the meaning of life, nor do I weep at the sight of a bud in spring. I do, however, get a little frustrated when people repeat, ad nauseum, old arguments as to why one way of working wood is better than another. While I may have a bias (my Mathieson can beat up your Delta!), I'm not against any woodworker, Normite or Galoot.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but here are my rules for dealing with other woodworkers, especially all you power tool guys:
1) Know Thyself! There is no merit badge for woodworking dogma. If you like hand tools use them. If you don't, don't. If you don't know what you like, try them out (the whole goal of everything I've ever written)
2) Just Do Something! The only "bad" woodworking is the woodworking that doesn't get done, or that which is done without enjoyment, regardless of methodology.
3) Think for Yourself! The echo chamber of the Internet makes it harder for guys to try things for themselves and make their own decisions about what tools they need or would like to try.
4) Stop trying to beat the 18th Century! Woodworking knowledge and technology peaked sometime in the 18th century (Slightly kidding!).
Nice post Zach, especially like #3
ReplyDeleteI like #1. Don't try to sway me to your way of thinking. Present it and let me make up my own mind.
ReplyDeleteralph
Well put. I don't know why people become so entrenched (or say they are), so black and white, and it is all too easy to fall in with the pattern. I like what I like and I respect the likes of others.
ReplyDelete