I agree, many of us in this world have lost touch with handmade items, especially wood. While working at my inlaws on some remodeling I have been reading a book on cabinet making by a fellow named Krenov. The book was written in the 70's but he was complaining about the condition of products made back then and how we were loosing touch with the craftsmanship of hand planes and wood selection and using fine chisels and such. Not to mention the production wood work that was being done. He had lots of interesting thoughts on being a better craftsman, I hope that I can achieve just a small part of what he was passionate about.

I had to pick up a Makita drill that the transmission had failed in from a high quality tool store in Couer d' Alene, Idaho. They had probably 20 Japanese pull saws of different sizes, teeth, shapes, etc. The also had an astonishing collection of Japanese chisels and hand planes. I had looked at them before but now looked at them with refreshed eyes. If these tools are available then someone is buying them and doing work with them. Perhaps the products stay at home or are only found in high end houses, where I don't get to visit. However the point is it reassures me that I am not alone in desiring of appreciating fine woodwork.

I had a wonderful time at the Wooden Boat Show held at Tatman boats this spring just admiring the quality of work being done. The thirty plus boats there showed me just what is possible and further developed my appreciation for the work the owners did. There were several boats that were decades old and they were also finely built and still existed.

Anyway I really enjoy this website and the people, the boats and the discussions concerning them. Sorry for my rant but this is a passionate subject for me. Got to go, time to read the latest Wooden Boat magazine!

Rick Newman