David Charlesworth, one of the most influential woodworking writers and teachers of the last century, died on May 22, 2022, after a long illness. Though he was a professional furniture maker by trade, Charlesworth was known worldwide for his three books and multiple long-form videos, which explored the details of furniture and sharpening technique in…
Read moreWhen I was in journalism school we were encouraged (nay, forced) to enter our work in journalism contests. We were told that we’d never get a job without a long list of awards on our resumes. Freaked to the bone, I did as I was told. When I got my first newspaper job, I became…
Read moreLarry Williams of Old Street Tool has a lot of good jokes about people with “Infill Disease.” This expensive malady plagues woodworkers who become smitten with these curious tools – infill handplanes – and spread the contagion by claiming that they outperform all other tools. Larry, who recovered from Infill Disease many years ago, now…
Read more(Note: This piece is more about writing than it is about woodworking. So if you’re in a “chisel and mallet” mood, I’d move along. — CS) When I come up with an idea for a book, it is so fragile that I’m afraid to speak it out loud. Several years ago I decided to explain…
Read moreWhen my former boss hired cabinetmakers, he would always ask for photos of their work. It didn’t have to be a fancy portfolio – snapshots were fine. Some of the job candidates brought this to the interview instead: “I’ve made some incredible pieces. I just finished up this coffee table with bookmatched veneer panels, stringing…
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