The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing [Paperback]

James Krenov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

James Krenov's delicate, lyrical cabinets have inspired a generation of wood craftsmen, as has his impassioned insistence that one do his very best work, no matter what. In this volume, first published in 1979, Krenov invites the reader into his workshop, where he shares his techniques and uncompromising approach to craftsmanship, along with thoughts about his work and its place in the world. Photo sequences show how Krenov composes a cabinet directly in the wood, without dimensioned drawings. He also discusses working with shop-sawn veneers, the technique of fitting curved doors, and the problems of accuracy and mistakes. The book concludes with a detailed exploration of three furniture projects: a curved showcase cabinet, a writing table with drawer, and a chess table.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Krenov studied furniture making and design with Carl Malmsten in Stockholm, Sweden, and later opened his own workshops there. In 1980 he returned to the United States to start and lead the fine-woodworking program at the College of the Redwoods, in Fort Bragg, California. His other books include A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, and James Krenov Worker in Wood.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Linden Publishing (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941936511
• ISBN-13: 978-0941936514
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a step by step guide ...but maybe a self-help book, June 14, 2001

By 

"srightnar" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing (Paperback)

I did not know what to expect when I ordered this book I was kind of hopeing for a technical how-to guide on building cabinets.Since I was building kitchen cabinets at the time I wanted some top quality ideas and guides to build them. This book is not a step by step guide. But let me say this... this book has inspired me. Dare I say it is a spiritual guide to working with wood coupled with some solid planning and designing words of wisdom. For me it inspired me to move away from the standard straight designs and work toward more artistic and flowing furniture. Just don't buy this book thinking it is a technical how-to book on building you standard square boxes; but buy this book if you desire to build heirlooms .

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Krenovian Must Have, November 26, 2005

By 

Dennis R. Mitton "tolstoy" (Eastern Washington, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing (Paperback)

I love all of Krenov's books. One reason is their accessibility. One complaint I have with most woodworking books on technique (like Norm Abrams') is that you need so many specialized tools or machines. Krenov's books are different: he talks as much about why to do something as he talks about the how. He makes his own planes not because of cost but because he can make them better than he can buy. He encourages you to slow down, to think about what you're doing, and to enjoy the wood. I liked "The Impractical Cabinetmaker" especially for his instruction on making your own veneer, something that I've had lots of fun with over the years. His outlines of his own projects are helpful, too, to see how he goes about creating a piece. A great book that I highly recommend.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars none like it, May 20, 2006

By 

Ed (PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing (Paperback)

I bought this book a few years ago and I'm still reading it...or I should say re-reading it. As I progress with my woodworking skills, build some pieces, work with a different wood, etc, I find things in this book I didn't see before. There's a little bit of how-to here, but for me that's not where the real value lies. I love the philosophies of working with wood that Mr. Krenov offers -- they are worth the price of admission, and should be the reason for reading it. So my suggestion is to acquire the books you need about joinery, shaping, cabinet construction, etc., and as you go along every now and then take this book from the shelf and re-read it. Maybe not all of it, but I'm betting that as you grow in woodcraft you will react to it in a different way than you did the last time.

If all you want to do is cut out parts and fasten them together, why not get an erector set?...not so much sawdust. I agree with the reviewer who suggests that it should be required reading for every consumer as well.