Why Paul Sellers is setting a good example for beginning woodworkers
The woodworking world has become more a world of consumerism as makers and inventors flood the market with tools (power or hand) that are fancier and sometimes even necessary. I am not suggesting good tools are no good but some products just border being insane in their asking prices such as a $90 saw handle and lately a $40 bamboo polisher (for burnishing).
Of course no one is forced to buy and those with money can spend whatever and however they want. My point is that more and more woodworkers pay more and more attention to getting new products than getting more skills or getting projects done. And we can tell, judging from the steady stream of new products flooding the market in the past five years, the makers are more than happy to respond to such attention.
I don't agree with everything Paul Sellers advocates, but his "poor-man" (or "poor-woman") approach is refreshing in this time of consumerism.
Simon