Not everyone is cut out to be a good craftsman. They simply don’t have the patience, even if they do have the skill. Not that this stops plenty of average ones making a good living regardless. But true craftsmanship takes time to do well. It takes time to keep going back again and again, checking and re-checking the fit before being satisfied it’s as good as it can be. I actually think it’s this patience that separates the simply average from the good. This willingness and patience to keep going back, as many times as it takes until it’s perfect.
I follow some local guys who build traditional boats here in Norway and the following pics illustrate perfectly what I mean (courtesy of nordlandsbaat.com). Think about how many times the craftsman has had to go back to check this front frame in the boat. Tradition dictates that this frame is cut from a single piece of natural tree and root. This is the only way to get the required strength to cope with the stresses placed on this part of the boat.
Proper craftsmanship takes time and patience. There’s no limit to how many times you go back.
So next time you’re tempted to say “it’s near enough” when fitting something, think about the frame in this boat; then take your work piece, go back and fettle it a little more until its right.
Stay well
Ian
