A Life's Work: The Philosophy of a Craftsman

[@billkelly4772]

This video is beautiful. Integrity, simplicity, and grace manifest as both spiritual impulses and lovely objects made of wood. It is a wonderful portrait of a man whose personal inspiration has inspired thousands of others. Every forest has a first tree that once stood alone in a meadow, roots drawing nourishment from the earth, stem and and crown thriving in the wind and sunlight. I am grateful for PK’s work each day when I’m making something in my wood shop. A box, a bowl, a cabinet, or a bench can produce profound inner experiences. Peter taught me how to find them.

[@davidhood5760]

As a person who is just now starting to sell my furniture in my 50's , this video reminds me of all the potential craftsman who never had a dad that could send them a hundred bucks.

[@jpschmidt44]

Yes, it is significant that he had a supportive father.

[@classifiedinformation6353]

Yes, to have a Father that supports is son is paramount in the sons success both psychologically... and financially.

[@marktourtellotte1336]

Now, at 67, making furniture is all I get up for in the morning. The harder, the better...because I am working on myself. By the end I hope to turn into a geode; crusty on the outside and crystals on the inside.

[@MrJackchap]

Try Greene and Greene furniture if you want a challenge

[@Rufio1975]

Its nice but Greene and Greene furniture is a little too busy for my taste.

[@bbqmamag8287]

That’s a beautiful analogy 🦋

[@kurtsteger2053]

Knowing a craft and pursuing purpose, leads to a life of abundance, self respect and knowledge. Well crafted, inspired video. Thank You.

[@nathanbell8356]

At 30 years old i abandoned my studied subject and became a parts cutter at a small stair builder and I've never been happier

[@roidelababylonetoto8552]

totally agreed

[@mickrose9633]

I'm from Maine, raised my kids there and moved back to Hawaii where I grow up. The 22 years in Maine working with amazing craftsman and ultimately being a general contractor building along the coast, proved out the feeling Peter spoke of in this video, it felt as though he was telling my story. Now at 57 yrs old making furniture is all I want to do and all I think of. Thanks for the video. Jerry Rose

[@kurtgellert9166]

What I hope many people take away from this is that when things aren’t working out the way you hope, don’t give up on the craft, just find a different avenue to pursue the craft. Keep pushing forward in another Avenue. Great story of perseverance!

[@bighands69]

But is it really craft in the sense of trade? It seems to be more about running a school.

[@lad208]

I'm 16 i found my self doing these things, woodworking makes me feel alive, i love when i woke up every morning and i see my works and doing what i love which is this learning every day building everyday, Maybe in this i'm not going to be a millionaire, bu't i still want to live with these beautiful life with woodworking

[@lad208]

I think i’m a millionaire because i live the life I want

[@suntzu6122]

​@@lad208show us your projects :)

[@stoicllc2352]

I’m 32. I quit my high paying job in banking nine months ago to start my own general contracting company and now am also venturing into making originally designed quality furniture also. I wake up every morning now looking to the future with optimism now. Instead of seeing just a long trudge to decrepitude and eventual death.

[@bighands69]

The real money in furniture making is in built in furniture rather than free standing. People can buy lots of cheap free standing junk but that is not the case for built in furniture.

[@mediumgrey1947]

One of handful of videos that may change my life direction. Thank you

[@TheWriter86]

It’s been 3 years since this comment. How’s your life going now, my fellow KZbin companion?

[@scottjones5455]

There are great craftsmen in Northern California that I got to be a part of in my 30's. I'm 64 now and often reflect back on those days with great serenity. My instructor at College of the Redwoods was a master woodworker who's works were awe inspiring.

[@Jlinwoodjackson]

Yeah..James Krenov is a legend..you were very fortunate to learn from him

[@jcsrst]

I've spent my life working with my hands and it's been worth every minute. First as an artist and a carpenter and now building furniture. To create a beautiful useful thing is pure joy!

[@georgespangler1517]

I started out as a automotive mechanic,,,at 21 decided building homes was what I wanted to do at 23 started my own business as a designer builder and over the years learned all the building trades,,now I buy and restore classic cars and motorcycles and vintage tools, I'm only happy when I'm productive and learning more and more..l don't know the word cant.

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

Looking at this "CV" I think it's more cant decide, than just cant!

[@TheWriter86]

His audiobook “why we make things and why it matters” brought me here. Apparently o had started watching this a while back, because I was half way through it somehow. Now, being able to connect it to hearing some of his life story, it’s so much cooler. What a cool, smooth cat.

[@theofarmmanager267]

Very interesting. I’m 67 - been a (serious) hobby woodworker for 45 plus years - and had a side line selling furniture for about 5 years. I got out of the making to sell part because I just didn’t like deadlines and client’s procrastinations in something I loved to do. So, I now make at my own pace - which is slow because of my body screams after an hour or so in the workshop. I feel I’m okay at the making; I’m not good at original designs but like to adapt other designs to fit my taste (principally UK Arts and Crafts plus Prairie and Mission). Where I strive and fail is getting constant contentment, peace, satisfaction, happiness or whatever from making. I watch these videos and the maker is always at peace; I can’t achieve that but it’s what I strive for. Suggestions welcome

[@FanOfLiberty1776]

Thank you for your comments here. Suggestions? I would say be content with your abilities. Push beyond your abilities, to the extent that you are comfortable doing so, and makes you happy. If your physical body imposes limitations on your ability to do your work, accept it, and be thankful for the amount of work you are able to do. All the best to you, John

[@MH3GL]

You fail to find peace because you are seeking it externally. Peace comes from within. It's not in the results of what you make, but in the process of the making. The peace you seek will often come in the form of *focus.* In that when you are focused on what you are doing, everything else leaves your mind, and you are at peace in the moment with your work. And in this way, your work becomes a form of meditation. Peace is like a butterfly, if you chase it, it will fly away. You must let it come to you. Good luck

[@Robert-ei1ki]

The beauty of it all! Thank you

[@jascha9033]

I am very impressed by this man.

[@georgelutz8212]

Very inspiring story.Peter is a gifted craftsman but more importantly a genuine human bein who is passing his passion on like all true teachers.Ty.

[@VRados]

Thank you Ben and thank you Peter!

[@ElliotNesterman]

Mr. Korn's comment recalls what one of my design professors used to say, "A designer thinks with his pencil."

[@ScottAnders62]

As a craftsman, I find so much to resonate with in this video.

[@joeywigg9430]

What a great way to explain the fill one gits when knowing how to design something with their mind and build with their hands.

[@jeffreystickler8662]

❤Awesome craftsmanship!

[@railsendgallery6151]

Thanks for making this.

[@carvingthecottonwood]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@b1j]

Peter Korn has been in my mind for nearly 20 years. I think it was from his original seminal work Working with Wood: The Basics of Craftsmanship, but it might have been its successor, Woodworking Basics. I've just looked through my bookshelves and I can't find either book. But no matter. I no longer need the book. What I took away from this wonderful teacher is the process of four-squaring a board. I studied and practiced the methods he taught until they became second nature to me, and then I was on my way. It's funny but I have actually silently repeated Peter's name in my head as I have proceeded through the steps over the years. That is the definition of profound: "at the very basis of a thing." That's where Peter Korn lives, because he taught me the fundamentals on which all woodworking stands. And now, today, I found this documentary and savored it. Thank you, Peter. Bob Jones Lafayette, CA

[@KarlMiller]

I only wish I were living there. What a righteous pursuit. Nice.

[@jahgsdjashdu]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@themoose87]

Beautiful, looking forward to taking part some day!

[@Anu_Tuvs]

enjoyed watching this!

[@MTheory333]

That was very enjoyable to watch - I look forward to looking up some of the work of the mentioned craftsmen.

[@ChadPalmer]

Wow that was amazing. Thank you

[@nikkikennedy551]

Such an inspirational video.. very beautifully done.

[@noahmaeck7330]

Very inspiring, I dream to be half the craftsman of that man one day

[@justinjeter3240]

This is very well done and compelling. Good job.

[@bubbakav]

Had the pleasure of spending a week at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in 2003. Great experience. Be warned - Peter is a master at croquet.

[@S_Edward_Burns_ArtsEditor]

My thanks. Carry on!

[@valeriehitier9026]

❤❤❤❤❤😊 un artisan c est un chercheur dans son domaine : une personne libre😊

[@williammartin2842]

Imagine all the beautiful, functional, and creative objects that people have made out of wood over the last 70,000 years. They are now finding atlatls that were frozen in snow and ice for thousands of years. These weapons have sinew, stone points, and the marks in the wood showing how the object was crafted. Otzi the Ice Man has 27 different types of wood which made up his gear when he died and was found 5300 years later. Even birds make nests out of wood and grass.

[@DesignEcologies]

Thank you

[@LaoZi2023]

Ben, I love this episode. Will you be doing more of this genre? Peter Korn is very important for art and woodworking...Have you thought about interviewing Jamie Johnston? I would love to see it, if you could. You're probably aware of his work - just amazing.

[@woodroofguy]

Great video!

[@Camden04843]

Beautiful

[@jayn9559]

I pursue the same craft, life style. I am in the craft going on 4 years

[@justrenee2640]

This is beautiful♥️ #RealAlchemy

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@billp377]

50 yrs from now this will be the philosophy of the computer programmer

[@Noone-8010]

Computers will program themselves in 50 yrs

[@aydnk.982]

You have prepared a very good movie. We want to commemorate our veteran and old carpenters on May 1 workers' day. We will prepare a short 1 minute video. Is it possible for us to benefit from your movie? We will be very happy. We will be glad if you answer.??

[@bighands69]

Workers day? You mean may day the ancient religious celebration. Is that what you mean?

[@kevindelaney8242]

@@bighands69 Dude, try clearing out some of the cement between your ears.

[@bighands69]

@@kevindelaney8242 Ah you mean the first monday of September then?

[@chinyichuan]

Master Lu Ban craftsmanship spirit 😉

[@Wateringman]

This is manner of ethos that the greedy robber barons of Wall Street have imbued on the new generation. Taking it slow, and or wanting quality is frowned upon if it does not drive profits higher and higher. The problem is not the profits, but what can you do with it. How many cars, homes, TV's, shoes, etc, do you need. The corporations since 2000 or so have left US for China. The old time craftsmanship, and love of a job well done is often overlooked here, by many who just want more. By slowing down and gaining skill, one can later perform fast, accurately, and effortlessly. Time to take the rust off that hand plane. And if buying one...buy American. Feed an American family. Feed your own.

[@AyRCee]

Graffiti is about doing the same thing as your fellow peers or rivals. Bit you get smacked in the mouth for biting someone's style you can take inspiration but better not fully copy it.

[@shishenliart]

Butcher of dead tree carcasses. All kidding aside, he's a master craftsman, much respect.

[@LaoZi2023]

I often think the same thing, when I'm making something out of wood.

[@JasonJones-o1y]

1:32 you actually are a religious person, just not in the sense that society labels “religious.” you are spiritual. Incredibly spiritual. This is a lesson I learned. You want your spirituality to resonate with you, unlike all of the traditional religion that our society imposes upon us, even the Quakers. The true answer is within. It all just leads to Buddhism and the core principles of Buddhism. This is the only spirituality, and way of life, that has ever made sense to me. It might be the same for you. And there is no other philosophy or religion or way of life more relevant today than Buddhism.

[@IanSmithKSP]

“Dad can I borrow $100? I gotta eat” -> Goes to New York and has a storefront…. ???

[@RobertoFischer]

The beginning left me with like a weird cult of personality thing....

[@bighands69]

The beginning was nothing more than pushing Marxist hippy politics. It is now in everything. Very few people of that era actually bought into it. It is the media today that push that nonsense. I am not sure that it is really an actual tradesman and is more interested in running a school that probably teaches kids how to do things but not practical in the real world though.

[@FTRISTAO7]

😮

[@deezynar]

The hippies were similar to a boil. They are a pain for a while, but you get rid of them and go back to your routine. The world hardly remembers the hippies today, and most people laugh at them now. But if you have the misfortune of running into a person who got swept up into the hippie movement, they act like it was a world changing movement. They did change the world in some ways, and not for the better.

[@bbbildhuu]

I'd rather walk into a hippie than you. You sound miserable.

[@skootzish]

Read the James Krenov books, much more inspiring.

[@Oldtimeytools]

The 60’s.. where all our problems started.

[@georgecavanaugh8757]

You people have to turn everything into a yuppie soul finding expedition. Just being a great craftsman is rewarding. Let it be.

[@michaeldalton8374]

Only boomers could turn something like uncomfortable furniture into “life passion composition” word salad crap. Design it. Build it. Shut up about it.

[@annarboriter]

ah, boomer nostalgia, it almost markets itself

[@whythesadface]

Operating a cell phone isn't a skill or a trade sweet heart.

[@annarboriter]

@@whythesadface Thank you for the career advice, grandpa

[@DaleHodgkins0n]

"Nostalgia" - fondly reminiscing?... this is a film about finding a deeper meaning in life through the pursuit of skillful and finely-honed craft... nothing to do with reminiscing... and absolutely nothing to do with "marketing". Seems like you missed the point by a billion miles.

[@ltandrepants]

Rich guy does work with hands…🤮

[@justinsidious9772]

Great job “questioning the tenets of the system”. It’s got us to such a great place boomers. Yeah you did great for yourselves at the expense of the next generations do far.

[@bighands69]

It is just hippy nonsense and nothing else. Very few boomers actually bought into that nonsense.

[@joejamata5583]

I know Woodglut has the best woodworking plans.

[@laius6047]

Did they have to make it political? Thanks, pass

[@JasonJones-o1y]

1:32 you actually are a religious person, just not in the sense that society labels “religious.” you are spiritual. Incredibly spiritual. This is a lesson I learned. You want your spirituality to resonate with you, unlike all of the traditional religion that our society imposes upon us, even the Quakers. The true answer is within. It all just leads to Buddhism and the core principles of Buddhism. This is the only spirituality, and way of life, that has ever made sense to me. It might be the same for you. And there is no other philosophy or religion or way of life more relevant today than Buddhism.