Number 1

Re: Number 1

David Walser

Dick -- All the number 1 ranking means is that the turner's videos are the most viewed on YouTube. When you think of it, it's not much of an endorsement. Of course, I remember listening to Casey Kasem each week to learn what the most was popular song (as measured by Billboard Magazine) that week. "Most Popular" doesn't always mean "best".

Number 1

Brad Vietje

Just guessing -- Carl Jacobsen? He's a really nice guy, who is very generous and keeps his videos light and fun. Pretty good turner, too. He's not claiming to be Bert Marsh or Cindy Drozda, and I don't think he's got any ego attached to his stats, either. He uses EWT carbide scrapers a bit on spindles, but he also uses edge tools properly. He's also got a few sponsors to represent, so that may be at play.

I think his large number of subscribers is well deserved -- hope you like his videos.

Safe spinning,

Brad Vietje

Newbury, VT

Unlikely I will watch him

Dick Coers

Not that I can't learn more things about turning, but after 31 years at it, I like where I'm at with my techniques. So unless he shows some challenging/creative designs, or really creative surface embellishment, I'm not likely going to add to his stats.

Re: Unlikely I will watch him

David Walser

There's no reason you should watch his or anyone else's videos, if your only reason for watching is to learn something. Per minute spent, I learn more at the lathe than I do watching anybody's video. Still, I enjoy watching a well-made video and i also learn a thing or two (which I count as a bonus).

One thing you might enjoy is watching some of Carl's early videos and then watching some of his more recent videos. I think you'll agree he's made a lot of progress as a turner.

Re: Number 1

Mike Stafford

I have watched Carl's videos for a long time and have enjoyed seeing his development as a turner. While I was housebound I watched every single one of his videos. When I was able to start turning again I (gasp) even turned a few of the projects he demonstrated myself. And guess what, I enjoyed it.

His early projects were of the same quality as the early projects of all of us. But he has come a long way. He put himself out there and took a lot of criticism for the way he used his tools and demonstrated techniques. But he has improved considerably and is now teaching a lot of beginning turners something about turning. Yes, he does use Easy Wood Tools in some of his videos but so do many beginning turners these days.

He is very entertaining and seems to be a very pleasant man. He has earned his following. I admire him for working toward and achieving a goal. I would like to meet him some day just to see if his Youtube persona is as pleasant in person.

You go Carl. You worked hard and you deserve everything that you have achieved.

Re: Number 1

Brent English

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Carl and yes, he is just as charming in person as he is on YouTube. He reaches a lot of people not touched by the traditional woodturning communication channels, including forums like this and the AAW. He's brought a lot of new turners into the fold. I am glad to hear that those of you who have taken the time to actually watch him have liked him.

Re: Number 1

Lyle Jamieson

Yes, What you see is what you get. Carl and I have worked together and he is the real deal. Very approachable, dedicated, humble, easy going, and very creative. How would you like to come up with a different turning project every Friday for years at a time?? Not easy. One thing Carl has done over the years is bridge the gap between the woodworker and the woodturning world. There is a very entertaining value to Carl's videos, one I wish I had. You might take away an idea or two at the same time.

Re: Number 1

Josh Bowman

It's just a number. It does say he's the best, it just says he has lots of youtube time. I wish I could be a spokesman for Robust though, maybe get a nice lathe out it.......but it wouldn't be worth the time he spent making page after page of video's.

Carl Jacobson 120,536 subscribers • 20,738,696 views

Cindy Drozda 4,813 subscribers • 476,343 views

Captain Eddie 29,023 subscribers • 5,153,404 views

David Ellsworth 0 subscribers • 0 views To be fair he does have Craftsupply, Luguna and other not produced by him video's

Curious, I respect the lower 2 in your list

You have no idea of the relentless grind...

steven antonucci

Imagine for a second that you wanted to be a YouTube star...

(I decided a few years ago to start a small YouTube presence because it was easier to answer some questions with a video than a wall of text...)

First, you need to deal with the original content creation. People will complain about what you did, how you did it, and your production quality.

If they don't complain, they may actually compliment you...or ask another question that you need to respond to.

Second, if you are trying to become a YT star, you will need to drive an audience to your video. My best video view count has 5K views. I have 89 subscribers. I don't know 120K woodturners...

Once you have an audience of that scale, the appetite grows, as does the maintenance of that audience. I'd be ready to slit my wrist...

The proliferation of social media would make you want to be on Instagram, FaceBook, Twitter etc. to help monetize all of this...leading to most of your time being dedicated to online, and nearly no shop time...

To all the Youtubers killing it... congrats, but no thanks!

S

youtube and AAW

John K Jordan

>>>I've had the pleasure of getting to know Carl and yes,...

>>>He reaches a lot of people not touched by the traditional woodturning communication channels, including forums like this and the AAW.

Brent, do you know if he is an AAW member? If so, perhaps someone could suggest he stump for them. If some are good, AAW may want them for their video list.

I don't get to youtube often and haven't seen any of his videos but I'll try to look for one.

JKJ

Amen to that David!

JamieDonaldson

And he has a much better lathe now.........

JamieDonaldson

...doesn't he Brent! I remember his old Delta 700 Reeves drive lathe, just like the old one I once owned!

Re: Number 1

robo hippy

I got to meet Carl at the Oregon Woodturning Symposium in 2014. I had watched a number of his videos. We managed to talk him into coming down to our club to demo. I do like him. Nice guy and we played around a bit on my lathe at the Symposium. At the next Oregon Symposium, we will be next to each other or sharing a double booth since he is a Robust rep, and I will have my Liberty in my booth. He makes his living doing some thing he loves.

robo hippy

Re: youtube and AAW

Brent English

Hi John K, pretty sure Carl is a long time AAW member. He's been to national symposium at least, not as a demonstrator yet. Not to speak for the AAW but I do think they are starting to look at more outreach options.

Re: Number 1

Lan Brady

Mike,

Nicely voiced. I really like his video's as well.

It has been great watching his progress with both skill and tool. Like many of us, he started with a flea market lathe and now has a top of the line lathe. He has earned his keep in this world!

Lan

I just looked and have 600,000 views of mine

I'm gonna watch one so you'll have 600,001

And you didn't get a free Robust lathe yet?

You are deserving of more....

Mike Stafford

You have some of the best teaching videos out there.

Re: Curious, I respect the lower 2 in your list

Mike Stafford

Well Dick, it is a free country. No one is forcing you to watch Carl.

I am sure if there is a market for curmudgeonly woodturning videos on Youtube you will be a success.

Hey, thanks Mike. It's not about me watching

I'm a newbie so I only have 900,000

Re: I'm a newbie so I only have 900,000

david

I think your videos are the best, Lyle. I encourage any beginner I work with to watch your videos on pull and push cuts.