'As I get older, I simply have less desire for money and more desire for time'

'We expect to receive money when we work, so that we can spend it when we are rest. Woodworking has taught me to reverse that equation. I build things in my free time so I can avoid buying things. And if I don't have to buy as many things, I don't have to take on jobs that I don't like...

As I get older, I simply have less desire for money and more desire for time. This mental shift might be just the early 40s realization that I'm mortal, but I think it's more profound.

... My anxiety is merely despair that I am wasting time that could be better spent building, writing or cooking.

I want to make things that are permanent, inspiring or just chewy. And because my head is on backward when it comes to modern capitalism I want time more than I want money.'

C. Schwarz, The Anarchist's Toolchest, p 342.

Schwarz on Sharpening

'When you pick a sharpening system, think of it as an old-fashioned wedding. You should devote yourself to one system. Spurn all others. Try to explore the system you picked in immense detail. Take good care of your sharpening medium. Keep it clean. Keep things true. Keep everything ready to go at all times. Do these things, and the rewards will be immense.'

C. Schwarz, The Anarchist's Tool Chest, p. 267.

Quotes from the Anarchist's Tool Chest

'If the sole is garbage, your work will be also.' 

(C Schwarz p.96)

I wasn't sure if this one should be filed under woodworking or theology...

The Anarchist's Tool Chest

Sitting on my desk is a copy of Christopher Schwarz's The Anarchist's Tool Chest. 

Chris operates Lost Art Press a company that publishes books on traditional woodworking techniques . Many of their works are a translation or republications of books from the 18th to 20th century. 

This book is a personal one for Chris. It is the story begins with him gutting his cluttered workshop, and selling most of his tools. After near 20 years of collecting, researching and woodworking, he consolidated his working tools down to a single tool chest. A tool chest form which he could build nearly anything - using only hand tools.

The woodworking has been a little light on in my shop at the moment. But I'll be keeping track of interesting thoughts and quotes from the book and sharing them on here. Hopefully, it make for some interesting discussion.