A Cabinetmaker's Notebook

James Krenov

2 ideas

1. The board should suggest the piece

   A maker should choose the design after studying a specific board's grain, color, and figure, rather than imposing a predrawn design and sourcing generic lumber to fit it. The wood's character is the primary design input, so the finished piece expresses that particular tree rather than an abstract plan.

2. Make the tools you work with

   Making your own wooden planes lets you tune each tool's size, weight, and mouth opening to your hand and to specific tasks. Because the maker understands how the tool was built, adjusting and maintaining it becomes intuitive. The tool becomes an extension of the maker's own sensitivity rather than a generic purchased instrument.

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