David Charlesworth - a wee tribute

Рет қаралды 6,515

Күн бұрын

Sadly, David Charlesworth passed away on Sunday the 22nd of May 2022, after a long illness.
It’s impossible to overstate the impact David had on the woodworking community. Thousands went through his one week courses, and a considerable number did his long courses. I wish I could have done his long course, but by the time I had retired, he was no longer doing them.
The four courses I did with him provided the basic skills I have. I’ve applied his philosophy of accuracy ever since.
Most famous for his “Ruler Trick” which revolutionised the sharpening of plane blades, his research into the best possible methods of using hand tools have benefited many.
This is my own wee tribute to him. I’ll miss him.
Good Night Old Friend.

Пікірлер: 38

@Flightdevildoc 4 ай бұрын

Greatly appreciated your video honoring, Professor David Charlesworth, a legend in the woodworking world. As a beginner woodworker after retiring from military service in 2021, I enjoyed learning about joinery as well as other areas of woodworking from his videos. I like his soft calming voice, for me, it kind of gave me time to reflect on what was just said. Unfortunately, never had the honor and pleasure of meeting him personally. We have indeed lost a great one! Rest in Peace, Professor Charlesworth, your "Ruler Trick" will live forever.

@mrlinnsworkshop 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment @Flightdevildoc. Personally he was my main influence. Getting a week with him to myself was a true highlight of my woodworking and tool appreciation journey. Wow, it’s almost two years now!

@deemdoubleu Жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone".

@jimlinn Жыл бұрын

So true. I lost my father last year and I still find myself thinking “I need to talk to Dad about this…” then I realise.

@studiohost 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for doing this video. Learned much from David .

@ellaarchbold8683 2 жыл бұрын

Well done, a lovely tribute, rest in peace David

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ella

@alistairmcmeekin5382 2 жыл бұрын

I was never lucky enough to go on one of David's courses, but know him through his videos. After watching his videos I was always left with the regret that I hadn't seen them before - so that's what hand tool woodworking is all about.

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

That’s the key thing you’ve said there Alistair; we know him through his videos. So thankfully we can still “ask him a question” if want to…

@rollingstone3017 Жыл бұрын

Never met him. But I consumed many of his DVDs, and really enjoyed his slower approach, almost scientific study of the craft. So many of his techniques have helped me to improve my skills. Will always be grateful for his life.

@mrlinnsworkshop Жыл бұрын

My feelings exactly! Hopefully we can all keep his theories and techniques alive in our own way.

@johnball4983 2 жыл бұрын

I spent 12 wonderful weeks with David ( to myself) in 2009. It was an incredible time. To me he brought engineering tolerances to woodworking. From David I now have a great love for the No;5 1/2 plane which, he taught me to tune, sharpen and use correctly. Sadly I had every intention of visiting him this year… but it’s not to be. Rest in peace David.

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks John. I’d always intended to do the long course when I retired. Even though I was forced into retirement 6 years early, unfortunately David was no longer doing the long courses. But, I’m grateful for what I did get, and we’ve got the DVDs of course.

@1929HSS Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this, just heard that he had passed away at a recent class at the Woodwright's School here in the States. I never met him but had all his videos from Lie-Nielsen and they were a great help in learning to make a plane do what it should. Glad you were able to meet him and get to know him a bit.

@mrlinnsworkshop Жыл бұрын

Thank you. It’s amazing how many people followed him. I was fortunate to be able to buy some of his tools at the recent North of England Woodworking Show. Based on those, I’ve got a few videos planned, including how to make one of his Modified Marking Gauges.

@johna.9742 Жыл бұрын

I just came across your video. I have watched David's video's as much as possible. I loved his slow and meticulous detail to everything he did. What a craftsman. I think it was David who got me to thinking that woodworking projects should not be a race to completion, but to concentrate on each and every aspect of the build to make sure you are doing the best you can. My whole thought process when building a project, regardless of what it is, is to take my time and enjoy each and every part of the build. And when it comes to proper sharpening of handplanes blades and chisels, he was a master. I have used the David Charlesworth method for sharpening my handplanes and it the best.

@mrlinnsworkshop Жыл бұрын

I quite agree! He put so much careful thought in to everything he did.

@georgeroland850 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this lovely tribute. I had the pleasure of spending three weeks in Hartland working with David in 2015. I studied Tool Tuning, Dovetails and Drawer Making and Fitting. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I learned about David from some of his DVDs published by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks and, on the basis of that, signed up for courses with him. A wonderful teacher who will be sorely missed. Thanks again.

@anirishwoodworkersdiary2137 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely tribute, I to took the tool tuning course in 2017 and had the workshop to myself for a week and again he generously taught me other wood working tricks while I was there, and again such a lovely man who will be greatly missed cheers Phil

@jimlinn 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phil! When I took my tool tuning course in 2005, there was 5 of us, which I think is just enough for fun and camaraderie, but you can’t beat having him to yourself…

@johnrevell273 Жыл бұрын

Very sad to hear of David’s passing, he truly was an incredible craftsman. Glad I played some small part in introducing you to him Jim.

@mrlinnsworkshop Жыл бұрын

Thank you John, but believe me it was no small part! Your TV series gave me confidence to proceed and discovering David was life changing. Thank you so much!

@johnrevell273 Жыл бұрын

@@mrlinnsworkshop that’s great Jim. If you’re into hand tool woodworking I assume you follow Paul Sellers on here. If not you must, he’s first class.

@ClevelandRips 2 жыл бұрын

Great tribute! Fantastic work you do as well. New subscriber here!

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Good to have you here.

@grenadillo1 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely tribute, incidentally my first encounter with David was the same as yours, John's Workshop, the end grain shaving was a revelation to me, I bought his books and read every article he wrote, sadly I didn't attend any of courses but I did go to his workshop to purchase one of his recommended marking knives with the green handle, he was very generous with his time and showed me around his workshop. He will be missed.

@jimlinn 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark. Yes, I still use that knife! On my last course in 2018, David and I reground it so it would fit in the Veritas sharpening jig. Incidentally, I’m currently working on a video on how to super tune a Lie Nielsen No4. Made a few errors with my sound setup and am having to voiceover bits again, but should be soon…

@grenadillo1 2 жыл бұрын

@@jimlinn I look forward to it.

@glennmcqueen9475 2 жыл бұрын

thank you for your tribute. I had been waiting for new content for a couple of years, what a lovely Man

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Glen. I know he only posted videos to lead people to his website. He didn’t actually make them himself, they were mostly excerpts, and one of his staff ran things. When I was starting this channel, I asked him how he did it and that’s what he told me. Yes, he couldn’t be nicer. I omitted to include this in my tribute because I forgot, but I bumped into him at Cressing Temple in 2015. The second he clapped eyes on me he said “Jim! How on Earth are you!” That was after 8 years and probably hundreds of students. Wow, that makes one feel special, and that was one of his gifts. Thank you for subscribing by the way. I’m posting new content soon, including an explanation why I took 5 months off.

@patbassman8251 2 жыл бұрын

I came across you , wondering if anyone didn't agree with the ruler trick , not in a mean or resentful way just MO , anyway its sad news to hear David passed away , one thing is for sure he was a perfectionist I admire perfectionists and strive for it myself.

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Pat. I know Paul Sellers has a completely different sharpening technique and polishes the whole back area. He doesn’t use the ruler trick. The late David Savage heavily criticised David’s methods according to David. If you search any woodworker forums (I stay off forums of any kind) I’m sure you’ll find someone who dislikes it. Just proves there’s always more than one way to get a sharp edge.

@patbassman8251 2 жыл бұрын

@@mrlinnsworkshop As I said I don't agree with the ruler trick , so Iv had to spend days trying to flatten the backs of plane Irons and been so tempted to just get the ruler out. Paul Sellers suggests striking plane Irons to get humps out , I broke two Irons doing that , I have just recently been trying to make hollows on cheaper thick Irons like Japanese Irons.

@frankhill9527 Жыл бұрын

The woodworking community lost a master with David's passing.

@mrlinnsworkshop Жыл бұрын

We really did. There was certainly thousands who benefitted. It’s up to us to keep his techniques alive.

@thomasgronek6469 2 жыл бұрын

very sad indeed. The greats of the sharpening world who have passed away also include Stefan Wolf, and Cliff Stamp.

@mrlinnsworkshop 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry Thomas, didn’t know them; but just googled them, so will have a look soon. Yes, it’s sad when folks’ lives are cut short (no pun intended) by a silly virus ☹️