For the James Krenov fans ...

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>Interesting read. So he's not a professional very interesting for a guy who sell's his stuff for a fair buck.

Good read!...

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Be prepared to spend awhile on that one.I copied it to WORD --42 pages!Worth the time though.---Jack

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)

>Thank you very much..

It was an excellent read, kind of like a good book, I couldn't put it down, had to read it in one sitting.

Norman

I'll just remain a fan of the work

Clay C in Miami

>Out of respect for the inspiration his books have provided, I'll refrain from detailing my reaction to that interview. Suffice it to say that he has my sympathies - among other things, I imagine it must be lonely up on Mt. Olympus.

Clay

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>Very interesting. I've seen his name referred to many times and never knew a thing about him. He seems to have very definite ideas of what constitutes appropriate expression in woodwork and holds everyone else to those same standards.

I'm not in a position to judge him on any account (even if I were so inclined) but I am intrigued by his journey and will try to find some of his books. I think he does come across as a somewhat lonely person; not necessarilly residing on a famous mountain, however! ;>)

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

R.J.Whelan

>Frank .... definitely, read the books - they are classics for hand tool users.

I've heard JK speak a number of times over the last 10-12 years - he's now in his mid 80's - I think he's just getting kind of grouchy (my mom turns 85 tomorrow and I definitely know about grouchy; heck I'm 58 and gettin' kinda' crusty myself).

Enjoy the books .... rj

Ellis-a guestion?

Rusty Miller-Tye, Tx

>Do you have any idea who makes his knife hinges. He doesn't seem to care much for the Brusso hinges.

Rusty

Re: Professionals and Aristocrats

Andrew Alcazar in Charlotte, NC

>I think what he was trying to impart is that he does this because he likes to not because he "has to". He speaks like people in my family that stayed in Europe... they have a great deal of inherited wealth. They take great pride in what ever it is that they do, but would be terribly offended if you considered it a "job". They are above working for a living. I'm on the frittered away the wealth and ran off to the New World side, so I work. I think he makes nice cabinets, but I wouldn't grab a beer with him.

- Andrew

Re: Professionals and Aristocrats

Matti Kuikka

>Those russian aristocrats counted their wealth in souls they owned. I remember that in Yusupov's memoirs (he was one of the group that murdered Rasputin in Yusupov's palace) he tells about an opera-house that a relative built on one of his country estates just for one performance of a primadonna he admired. During the performance all the space that was normally used for normal floor seating was filled with cut roses. My grandfather was a grown man during the revolution so it's not so long ago.

What I mean is that mr Krenov's background is not exactly very common.

Matti Kuikka, who thinks that work must be judged on it's own merits and not those of it's maker

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Thanks, RJ, it took a while to read, but worth every minute. I thought the most interesting part was when he redefined pleasure and delight as functional, that a piece could be considered functionally satisfying if the viewer/user delighted in looking at it.

Pam

Re: Ellis-a guestion?

R.J.Whelan

>Rusty ... I think Larry and Faye sold Brusso to a large hardware producer. Quality may have been compromised (not sure) - glad I bought a bunch of knife hinges (Brusso) several years ago and probably have enough to last my lifetime ... rj

More of a swerve than a hijack: knife hinges

David Barnett

>Brusso sold out to Nanz. I can't say what the current quality is, but the products will still be overpriced, IMO. You know, anyone who can make their own plane from scratch or build a Shepherd kit can certainly make knife hinges. A hammer, a file, a hacksaw or jeweler's saw, drill & countersink, and Bob's your uncle. I've made them in bronze and stainless steel (to go with some Brazilian rosewood). Brass'd be a cinch.

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Michael R

>Thanks a lot for posting that. He has an interesting outlook. I especially liked the line, "You have to see possibilities where there are none." A keeper.

I got the book he mentions - "The Unknown Craftsman" years and years ago, and it's had a great influence on me. I recommend it highly.

Michael R.

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Glenn Madsen

>I know a few of his former students, a little bit at least. Evidently, even his friends and admirers walk very softly around him.

Re: Ellis-a guestion?

Glenn Madsen

>Funny you should ask...

Brian Condrian, who has done some marvelous work, included in "With Wakened Hands", presented to the Diablo Woodworkers last week. Brian taught us, among other things, how to make knife hinges, as they do at CR, and more importantly, why. The technique is simple, apparently. But until I try it, I'm not one to describe it here.

He also had some very complimentary things to say about Ellis, by the way.

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Link Van Cleave

>Actually he sells his stuff far too cheaply. It used to bug us because he was driving the price down. His work is not very expensive relative to others in his league. He could get a lot more but he doesn't take avantage of his name. As usual with Jim there are a lot of people with uninformed opinions.

LVC

Re: For the James Krenov fans ...

Jeff Schmidt

>I am a little late to the conversation here but I think he was right on target with his direct critcism of the Furniture Society and their ilk. Krenov himself, in words and work has always been about craft, not art for art's sake.