Originally Posted by
Kim Malmberg
But at the end of this day, I will sum this up the following way.
- Paul Sellers was born and started woodworking in the wrong age. Hence he cannot be a good woodworker. He really should have known better.
- Chris Schwarz is just a hobbyist and hence he can be disregarded. What he's done for woodworking through his research isn't important.
- Unless you sharpen in a particular manner you are doomed.
- Without the contributions from SMC we wouldn't have woodworking.
There must be something gained in the translation and then lost again on the way back. The statements above seem to be amplified well beyond any intent I have detected.
Most of what I see amounts to people saying either Paul Sellers is a fantastic resource or others saying he isn't their cup of tea. I would be hard pressed to find much that I have learned from watching Mr. Sellers' videos.
On the other hand a few things were learned from the folksy rambling style of Charles Neil. I could see how some would be driven bonkers listening to his 'Five Board Bench' video. For me it was easy to watch broken up into different times while I was eating a meal.
Chris Schwarz is a professional/writer/researcher/teacher in the field of woodworking. His style may upset others, but that kind of stuff happens. I read him on a regular basis as I find little bits of information that are new to me even if they were old to my grandfather. His evangelistic nature toward the craft may bother some.
I am not sure what you mean about sharpening. Most here have worked with more than one method and use what works for them or make due with what is on hand.
I have learned many things by reading the posts on SMC. I do not know of anyone who thinks the past, present or future of woodworking depends on SMC.
My hope is the SMC business plan is structured in such a way to allow its survival for another century or two. I hope my heirs can visit these pages and learn about the hobby.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)