frankfive

Brian,

I like your blog.

You'll get 95% of what you need from the books, articles and videos then learn the last 5% yourself - the nuance, subtle technique and style. When you learn that last 5%, your dovetails will be 95% better.

Sounds like you want it bad enough and enjoy the process, so I’m sure you’ll get there.

Respect the baseline. Sneak up on it. Treat it like it is a trip wire.

Frank

Matt Kenny writes a blog entry in which he creates his own contorversy and insults the woodworking community to fire up his contrived argument.

Fine Woodworking's weekly newsletter drives a huge amount of traffic this way.

There is an advertisement a click away where you can buy a DVD on drawermaking.

I think Matt underestimates his audiance. Fine conversation on a topic can be had (as evidenced in some of the great responses here) without manipulating your readers/subscribers.

Will you play upon this pipe?

Matt,

I read this and couldn't believe how much trouble you went to trying to stir up contraversy here. You even imply hobbiests are drinking the cool-aid and practicing blind alegiance!

You say, "crusty woodworkers on internet forums look down their crusty noses." Are you a school kid trying to pick a fight?

It's like you're fabricating your own argument, then taking a side.

The dovetail is a fine drawer joint technique that one should aspire to include in his or her arsenal. Most people I know in the woodworking community would probably consider it the premier joinery technique for drawers. I don't believe that a significant percentage of those same people think it is the only acceptable technique.

Your piece attempts to characterize woodworkers who appreciate and respect dovetails as snobs who take a cult-like position about them. That's wrong. At the same time you characterize yourself as someone who can and does cut dovetails but is somewhere above this cult attitude you yourself fabricated.

What purpose is there in trying to have people take sides on this. Is FWW going the way of shameless tabloid editorials to stir the pot?

Frank Vucolo