Ingrained: The Making of a Craftsman

Woodcarver Robinson’s book is a love letter to his craft, which he learned by helping his father, an expert woodcarver himself. He shares the challenges and uncertainties of starting a small furniture shop with his wife, who’s a designer and architect, in Linlithgow, Scotland. Begun on a shoestring budget, their business and the quality of their work sparked admiration and immediate orders. Robinson’s book takes readers to the woods and sawmills, where his supply is felled and dried locally. He shares his knowledge of the different types of wood and how each is used to achieve best results. Brief asides within the text instruct readers on which tools to use in their own woodworking and how to get started, including considerations for designing and constructing a chair, ensuring safety when using tools and machinery, finding inspiration for designs, staying true to instincts, marketing one’s creations, and even serving as a woodcarver’s apprentice in order to learn more.