Customer Reviews

The Cooper and His Trade

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Kilby has written an important book on coopering that will have a lasting effect on keeping the traditional trade of coopering alive. This book details the history of coopering from its origins to it's 20th century state. Although it primarily focuses on the English coopering tradition, other sections of the book are very useful to anyone wishing to learn about coopering. The list of tools and there uses is a key section of this text. The tables of barrel dimensions and volumns is another key section of this book. The sizes given are historical sizes that museums would find very useful. Kilby also explains the process of how to build a barrel. Although he attempts to do this in detail with photographs and drawings, the new cooper would not be able to use this section as a "how to section". More detail is needed with regards to the jointing of barrel staves, a critical part of the barrel building process. As a practicioner of 19th century coopering, teacher and historian, I give Kilby's book top marks.

Dan Zaroski, B.A.,B.Ed.,M.Ed.

Two years ago I found a wooden bucket at a garage sale and couldn't figure out how to repair it. The folks at Colonial Williamsburg suggested I get a copy of James D. Gaster's excellent How to Make a Coopered Wooden Bucket. My review of Gaster's bookdescribes my adventures in successfully improving my bucket using "white coopering" techniques.

Gaster is highly complimentary of The Cooper and His Trade; he writes:

"There is very little written information about cooperage, especially white coopering. Much of what I learned about coopering I learned from experience and observation. However, there is one book that is an excellent comprehensive guide to coopering that I have used as a text book and reference guide over the my years as a cooper. That book is The Cooper and His Trade by Kenneth Kilby (Fresno, CA: Linden Publishing Company, 1971, 192 pp.) .... I highly recommend this book to every aspiring cooper."

Gaster's book is excellent: clearly written, good black and white illustrations tied carefully to the text, simple for the novice (like me) to follow. His praise for Kilby's book is sure to be well placed.

Robert C. Ross 2008

I was searching for a how-to book on coopering. This is not it! The title is not misleading, it does provide an anthropological study and history of coopering. It's just very light on useful information for anyone who wants to make a barrel. Otherwise, it was reasonably entertaining.

I bought this book for my husband for Christmas

He is getting much needed info on how to make an oak

barrel. He's got all the material cut & ready to go when

the weather gets warmer.

Mary Linn (margaret)