09/02/21: William German

A local craftsman in Niagara-on-the-Lake, William German spoke at Willowbank School of Restoration Arts on Saturday, February 21, 2009

Favourite quotes and observations . . .

• “…do a good job today so I’ll have one tomorrow” (in reference to quality craftsmanship)
• “…thirst for wood-working … around 15 years old”
• “Handsome are the hands that work.” (his Grandfather’s saying)
• “… privilege of working it” (in reference to the walnut log grown from 1860)
____ Walnut made into two-board Niagara Peninsula peg top table
____ You could take the top off by removing the pegs (after slaughtering/butchering you’d take it outside to wash it off.)
____ Has a sheep’s wool grain – an undulating finish, like clouds.
• “…wood-working has been neutered by commerce”
• Our responsibility as craftsmen is to produce a piece that will endure as long as it takes to replenish the wood it’s made from (paraphrased)
• “…slaughtering trees…” (in reference to giving trees the respect of a living, breathing organisms and recognizing them as distinct beings with unique character) (the kill)
• “…pursuit of another log…” (in reference to searching out prime pieces of wood to use for furniture-making – seeking for treasure) (the hunt)
• “By splitting wood you get the maximum strength of cross-section because it follows the natural grain …” (in reference to splitting vs. cutting and working with your hands vs. industrial practices)a
• Case hardening – when the outside of the timber dries too quickly (too much heat, too fast) and forms a layer/crust that traps the remaining moisture within the core of the log and keeps it green. – to remedy, you have to rehydrate the log and redry it slowly/properly.
• Niagara Peninsula (Germanic) Chippendale – trademark style of the region??
• “…feeling ebony in your hand on a pull … it’s sensuous.” (in reference to the uniqueness of working with ebony as a material)
• “… ash …bends like a wet noodle.” (in reference to the elliptical arch he and the Willowbank students made for the door jamb at the lower entry. First tried bending pine, which was unsuccessful)