Many Strings to your Bow Options

[Chris McCOY]

Hi All,

This query isn't specifically about bow-making, or strings, as such, in case the title lead you that way....

Part of an endeavour that I am furthering would include, if it is to come to fruition in the future, complete training in all crafts to the highest levels. Part of that is having more than one main skill.

So, simply as a heads-up pre-emptive question, it would be nice to know how many CF carpenters would formally like to be able to be at a professional standard not just in timber-framing, say, or first or second fix carpentry, but other skills/trades also, such as smelting, blacksmithing, stonemasonry, glazing, roofing, tile making, brick making, glass making, glass blowing, stained glass, woodland management, felling, coppicing/pollarding/suckering, horse logging, plumbing, pottery, structural engineering, etc etc...and be able to offer these as part of your work, and thus potentially add more stings to your company's bow as well as your own, add the spice of creativity and variety (inc. in materials), and perhaps be able to provide more complete building (and other) services at the same time?

Any thoughts?

Perhaps you could let CF know officially, and the un-named count be in the Mortice & Tenon or CFNews, just for later record?

All the Best,

Chris.

[Ken Hume]

Hi Chris,

I will take you up on your suggestion.

I have a woodland in the SW Chilterns that is in serious need of thinning of 50 year old Douglas fir and European larch. I would like to have some of these trees felled and converted into beams in the woodland and so an opportunity exists for framers aspiring to learn how to fell and hew and even frame in the woodland. Interested carpenters can make what they will of this opportunity. Please send me a PM.

Regards

Ken Hume