John Brown

[paulchapman]

There's a nice tribute on Chris Schwarz's blog to the late John Brown, who sadly died on 1 June www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/

Cheers

Paul

[Alf]

Thanks for the heads up, Paul - could just as well copy off Chris's post and put my own name to it, quite honestly. JB was the single biggest reason I got in the hand tool lark, and I didn't even realise it at the time. The world is a better place for his stay, and poorer for his passing, which sounds trite, but it's bloody well true.

Think we should have a look at one of his lovely chairs, don't you?



Cheers, Alf

P.S. I was thinking there should be a thread, but couldn't quite bring myself to make it "true" by starting one myself.

[paulchapman]

Thanks for posting that picture, Alf - a real cracker.

Cheers

Paul

[mrgrimsdale]

Great pity. I only found out about him relatively recently and caught up on his articles, thanks to Alf. I was hoping to meet him one day. Got the book. Inspiring. He won't be forgotten.

cheers
Paul

[wizer]

How true is that quote ?

“By all means read what the experts have to say.
Just don’t let it get in the way of your woodworking.”
— John Brown, welsh stick chairmaker

[mrgrimsdale]

Just been browsing the JB archive. He's a bit doubtful about the "fine design" tendency:

"I get demoralised when I see, illustrated in the magazines, competition entries in various classes. I am not in the same league as these people. I find myself thinking, in haste, how on earth did you make it? At leisure I ask the more important question, why on earth did you make that?"

cheers
Jacob

[dunbarhamlin]

;D That's perfect. I sometimes have the same reactions when looking at lutherie magazines. Aesthetics are most definitely subjective, and function is at times impressed upon a less than perfect form.

Cheers
Steve

[mrgrimsdale]

Late lamented Bo Diddley was on the ball though.
cheers
Jacob

[dunbarhamlin]

Ugh. Yep, don't think that qualifies as stark or minimalist, it's just lumpen.
There are fêted, successful contemporary builders whose output I find without aesthetic or functional merit (I won't bruit about their names - it wouldn't be appropriate - like a chip fryer belittling the abilities of a Michelin chef) but equally I find some traditional designs unfortunate (particularly the Gibson F5 - a mandolin with an hideous carbuncle on the body and a vulgar poorly conceived headstock decoration)
Isn't it good we don't all like the same thing?
Cheers
Steve

[Alf]

Jun 6, 2008 18:08:59 GMT dunbarhamlin said:

Isn't it good we don't all like the same thing?

Now there's a quote...