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The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing
James Krenov's delicate, lyrical cabinets have inspired a generation of wood craftsmen, as has his impassioned insistence that one do his very best work, no matter what. In this volume, first published in 1979, Krenov invites the reader into his workshop, where he shares his techniques and uncompromising approach to craftsmanship, along with thoughts about his work and its place in the world. Photo sequences show how Krenov composes a cabinet directly in the wood, without dimensioned drawings. He also discusses working with shop-sawn veneers, the technique of fitting curved doors, and the problems of accuracy and mistakes. The book concludes with a detailed exploration of three furniture projects: a curved showcase cabinet, a writing table with drawer, and a chess table.
- GenresWoodworkNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 31, 2021
The Impractical Cabinetmaker (1979) was a book written by James Krenov, a Russian born, famous, fine-woodworker and philosopher. He has a lot to say about life and work, love and passion. Not unlike Sigmund Freud who intimated life was about nothing more than love and work. From Krenov's book:
Not long ago I was asked: "What does the word work mean to you?" After some hesitation I said, "I guess it means doing what one thinks is worth doing, and doing it well." (pg.11)
Work
has become the focus of a lot of discourse lately - what it is and what it's worth. There is now "essential" work. Which means different things to different people. Same as love. What is worth doing and what is doing it well? [I'll leave love (romantic) out of this discussion.]
Are 'worth doing' and 'essential' equivalent? Certainly what is essential is worth doing. However, how much is it worth, who does it, and who pays? matters.
The answer is: It depends. On what?
"Those People"
who happen to be the rich, or the 1%. In other words those people who have money determine what has value and what does not. Because most people will do whatever they have to to survive.
Except for the impractical. But, without 'those people', the rich, the 1%; the impractical cabinetmaker (otherwise known as The Artist), could not survive. Moreover, The Artist could not live and love. Never mind ever become rich and famous! (See page 152 in Krenov's book.)
Krystal Ball
is wrong again. Don't get me wrong, I 'love' her. She is a female version (personality wise) of myself. However, I doubt she has ever built (is creative) anything. She is, in fact, one of "those people". However, she presents herself as a champion and voice for the "working class". What?
Robert Wright
also presents himself as a champion for the Progressive (he calls himself a "progressive realist"). As with Krystal, I doubt he has ever built anything. Both of them are intellectuals and wealthy. Compared to 'essential' workers" there is none. Both are part of the 1%.
James Krenov
was an exceptional, unique, human being. He created furniture that integrated all that is extraordinary about human beings. Such that - I attempted to replicate his work.
Krenov inspired
The above cabinet, Krenov inspired, almost won best in show at the most prestigious fine woodworking exhibition in Colorado. In 1987. It didn't win because it didn't conform to the current standard that fine woodworking must be the product of hardwood, not soft pine.
However,
I think, to this day, that I adhered to the philosophy of Mr. Krenov! Because work and love are intertwined. Work, no matter its purpose, is worth doing well.
Not long ago I was asked: "What does the word work mean to you?" After some hesitation I said, "I guess it means doing what one thinks is worth doing, and doing it well." (pg.11)
Work
has become the focus of a lot of discourse lately - what it is and what it's worth. There is now "essential" work. Which means different things to different people. Same as love. What is worth doing and what is doing it well? [I'll leave love (romantic) out of this discussion.]
Are 'worth doing' and 'essential' equivalent? Certainly what is essential is worth doing. However, how much is it worth, who does it, and who pays? matters.
The answer is: It depends. On what?
"Those People"
who happen to be the rich, or the 1%. In other words those people who have money determine what has value and what does not. Because most people will do whatever they have to to survive.
Except for the impractical. But, without 'those people', the rich, the 1%; the impractical cabinetmaker (otherwise known as The Artist), could not survive. Moreover, The Artist could not live and love. Never mind ever become rich and famous! (See page 152 in Krenov's book.)
Krystal Ball
is wrong again. Don't get me wrong, I 'love' her. She is a female version (personality wise) of myself. However, I doubt she has ever built (is creative) anything. She is, in fact, one of "those people". However, she presents herself as a champion and voice for the "working class". What?
Robert Wright
also presents himself as a champion for the Progressive (he calls himself a "progressive realist"). As with Krystal, I doubt he has ever built anything. Both of them are intellectuals and wealthy. Compared to 'essential' workers" there is none. Both are part of the 1%.
James Krenov
was an exceptional, unique, human being. He created furniture that integrated all that is extraordinary about human beings. Such that - I attempted to replicate his work.
Krenov inspired
The above cabinet, Krenov inspired, almost won best in show at the most prestigious fine woodworking exhibition in Colorado. In 1987. It didn't win because it didn't conform to the current standard that fine woodworking must be the product of hardwood, not soft pine.
However,
I think, to this day, that I adhered to the philosophy of Mr. Krenov! Because work and love are intertwined. Work, no matter its purpose, is worth doing well.
October 21, 2016
James Krenov rambles disconnectedly for 160 pages, broadly on the topic of furniture-making, or, more specifically, a few specific pieces of furniture he has made. The whole thing is a bit self-indulgent, and it's not especially clear what deeper points Krenov is trying to convey—every definite piece of advice he gives either does not apply generally or is 100% a matter of taste—but if you already like Krenov and want to get a very vague glimpse of his process, you'll probably find something to enjoy here.
At worst, you'll at least have a bunch of pictures (most of them regrettably in black and white) to draw inspiration from.
At worst, you'll at least have a bunch of pictures (most of them regrettably in black and white) to draw inspiration from.
January 6, 2009
Inspired to try harder
April 28, 2021
Krenov discusses his design philosophy and the construction of furniture, for those unfamiliar with his work you can check out: http://www.jameskrenov.com/ . He was a popular teacher and influenced a fair number of woodworkers. And why I do like his cabinets, they are a bit impractical in more ways than one.
November 11, 2023
The Master
April 3, 2016
another fine presentation of Krenov's exemplary wood work. Certainly some overlap and repetition from the other 2 books.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews