Thread: Best of the best

Depends on what you mean by "best". Some may have the most innovative designs, some may have a level of accuracy unmatched by any other and some may be able to do things with regular tools that the hand skills of most mortals can not even begin to imagine.

Unfortunately not an easy question to answer

And then there are the disciplines that one excels in? The best faceplate turner, spindle turner, furniture maker, scroll saw, carver, power carver, chainsaw carver or are you after an all rounder?

Originally Posted by spencer411

Also who is the best in Australia and why?

A BIG loaded question spencer...but I'll wade in...

Carving.
..Sylvio Apponyi
...Matt Harding
...Susan Wraight
...John Morris

Why......have a look

Ok I'll clarify. Let's start with furniture making and lets do 3 spots. 1. Innovation 2. Execution and 3 for design. 1 best of for each of those topics and why. Consider it a fun essay and I can hear you all saying " fun essay, what the hell is this guys deal?"

Originally Posted by spencer411

Ok I'll clarify. Let's start with furniture making and lets do 3 spots. 1. Innovation 2. Execution and 3 for design. "

Hey spencer.....you haven't got an assignment due that you're trying to get others to write for you....have you?

Lol maybe... No I'm a qualified cabinet maker so I don't have assignments anymore. Just interested in everyone's thoughts. Also I love finding new or old designer makers I've not heard of before.

I may not be the best in the world but I am the best in my own mind. Apart from me though the best woodworker I have ever met was an old man called Laurie. He turned up at the school where I was teaching woodwork (I refused to teach design technology) representing one of the local service clubs. We got to talking and we found out 2 important things. He knew a lot about wood turning and I did not. So for 12 months he spent 2 hours every week passing on all his years of acquired skill, freely and happily. Then one day we got to talking about hand planes. Next week he turned up with an old Bailey no7 jointer for me. It is a wonderful object and I prize it as much for the kindness and pleasure I get when I remember him every time I use the thing as much as I do for the ease with which it works. He was the best.

It's Derek, isn't it?

^^^^ this is the sort of thing I love to hear. Sounds like a good man. God bless the old timers that's all I can say! Those guys had some serious skill and patience.