We are masters of the unsaid words...

...but slaves of those we let slip out.
Winston Churchill

A few days ago I posted about a problem I saw regarding too few women and children being involved with woodworking. I have since received a small stream of emails from people with links to various responses on other blogs and on twitter.

The statement that people have taken issue with is this: "You cannot use a machine to work wood and call it Woodcraft."

I have been puzzled why the reaction had been wrought with controversy but I think that I now understand. If I had said 'You cannot use a machine to work wood and call it Woodworking.' then I would understand the reaction, but that's not what I wrote.

Woodcraft and woodworking are not synonyms.

Woodcraft is a combination of the two words wood and craft. Craft means: 'An activity involving skill in making things by hand.' (see here)

Those who read my blog regularly enough would have known that I am not an elitist or a purist. I had just posted here recommending that people attend a demonstration on setting up a bandsaw.

I was disappointed with the adverse direction that followed and I admit that parts of that post were badly framed and perhaps colloquial, for this I apologise. I certainly meant no offence but to highlight what the real issue I think is with regard to woodworking.

For my part, I intend to continue supporting and promoting woodworking with hand tools in an inclusive way so that those intimidated or excluded from machine woodworking by age can get started without hinderance.  I will also keep promoting a balance between hand tools and machines but with an emphasis on hand tools that for me makes the process more healthy and enjoyable.

Join me in making a difference that might make greater sense of woodworking throughout the next millennia. We have a generation of woodworkers yet to come?