Design Precedents- Carl Frisk

James Krenov tirelessly worked as a woodworker nearly his entire life. In order to shape the wood the way he needed, he created his own tools. This hand-plane roughly displays his ideals as a designer. Smooth curves, only where necessary; a rounded end for the hand to cradle; and the perfect blade angle to shave wood. The reason this particular plane is so roughly cut is because he crafted it by touch. His knowledge and dedication to his craft permeated his life so much that even when his eyes failed him, he continued to work and create what he knew how to create. A lifetime of experience, accumulation of knowledge, and his ability to use that in order to create a plane that many people call perfect are all ideals that I seek to use in my career. I may not build planes, but what I do build, I hope to build with the same amount of passion and creativity as James Krenov.


Sam Maloof began as a graphic designer, but wanted a more rewarding career, so he taught himself how to build furniture. Through rough beginnings, nearly losing everything he had a few times, he came out one of the most revered woodworkers of the 20th century. Because he was self-taught he used some very dangerous techniques, such as freehand cutting on a bandsaw with the guard at it's highest point. But if he were taught how to properly use a bandsaw, he would not have been able to create the smooth, undulating curves in many of his designs. He proves that rules are meant to be broken, using dangerous techniques and solving problems without the interference of a master woodworker forcing techniques upon him. Aesthetically he uses wood in a way no other designer does, creating smooth transitions form piece to piece and rounding all joints. His ability to think outside the box and shape wood in a way that transforms it into something far more valuable than wood are elements that I strive to incorporate into my own designs in my own ways. But most impressive of all, Sam Maloof freely gave away every bit of knowledge he had. He did not believe in secrets, and believed that if all knowledge was shared, it would be for the betterment of the craft.