Lost Art Press

The Anarchist's Tool Chest

Posted on by Lost Art Press

http://blip.tv/play/htZKgpeZLwA%2Em4v

I’ve been working on my next book, “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” since February 2010. But it has been brewing inside me for much longer than that.

When I first let slip that I was working on this book, I was in Germany, teaching a class of a dozen Europeans and Americans how to work wood by hand. We were sitting at lunch around a table when I told them the title of the book.

Everyone in the room laughed.

Then, after a moment, it got quite quiet. One of the Germans in our group – a quiet man with excellent hand skills – spoke up.

“I don’t think that’s a good title,” he said. “Anarchism does not have a good name here.”

The rest of the students nodded their heads. One of them piped up:

“It might be better to call it the ‘Practical Tool Chest,’ ” he suggested. “At least in Europe.”

When I returned to the United States, I weighed their advice against my gut. I’m not a political person. I would rather talk about almost anything than politics. In fact, covering politics and business and government as a newspaper journalist is what soured me on… everything.

So I decided to go with my gut. The book might make you uncomfortable. The ideas inside it might make you dislike me. But in my heart, I know that most woodworkers are “aesthetic anarchists.” This short movie shows some construction details of my chest and has my two favorite quotes about anarchism. If you have trouble viewing the video, click here.

— Christopher Schwarz

31 thoughts on “The Anarchist's Tool Chest”

  5. Robert,

    No, it won’t be like "The Anarchist’s Cookbook," which is a famous/infamous recipe book for making mayhem. This book will explore the woodworker as an individual and what we really need to build things – both the tools and the primal urges.

  6. Chris,

    It may be a bad idea to throw religion into the mix, but when looking for quotes you may want to look into Jacques Ellul, French philosopher and Christian anarchist. He wrote a book called The Technological Society which addresses the ideas of progress, technology, and its failings. I have not read it but have heard many quotes from it-pretty heady, but it may apply. Good luck. Looking forward to the book.

  7. Wasn’t William Morris also something of an anarchist? I never finished "News From Nowhere," but I distinctly remember it had an anarchist bent (albeit of the Euro collectivist strain). Arts & Crafts as an anarchist aesthetic, perhaps?

    Kudos, Chris. This takes some guts, and I’m sure you’ll get plenty of flak for it. But I definitely think you’re on to something.

  10. I think I’m in love … (toolchest, philosophy, &/or Chris, I ain’t telling).

    When can we pre-order the book? And, are the plans for the toolchest included?

    I’ve called myself a rational anarchist ever since I read Heinlein’s _The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" at 14.

  11. Thanks for your thoughts.

    I wonder what your thoughts might be regarding the concept of the individual and their role in a community. The Shakers, Moravians and Amish to name a few, had uniquely skilled individuals that contributed a great deal to the art of working wood yet saw themselves as individuals that were very much a part of a community, a part of a body, all of which could not operate as a whole if each did not play their part. At the same time these people were anarchists in that they believed (and still believe) in allegiance to a kingdom not of this world. I am curious to hear any thoughts you may have on this.

    Additionally, thank you for bringing your gift as a writer to the woodworking world. It is a breath of fresh air to read about woodworking from an artisan of words and wood.

  12. Those who have experienced political and economic anarchy in real life are not as impressed with the philosophy as those in comfortable societies that espouse its benefits. I think the (US) founding fathers were right in thinking a weak central government was in the long term best for individual liberty. Liberties compromised when war threatens survival are rarely (if ever) relinquished by strong centralized governments. Bob

  13. Bob,

    If we had the limited central government envisioned by our founding fathers, this book would have a different title.

    Chris

  14. Chris- loving the title and the sentiment. It kinda mirrors the progression of my life from "Black Bloc" style anarcho-punk to a multi-discipline craftsman (wood, metal, stone) over the last decade and a half. Kind of the idea that that which i create could have a far more lasting influence than that which I destroy. I’ve followed your blog for a while now, and I got really excited when I saw the title of the new book. Cheers.

  15. Chris,

    Beautiful sentiment. Too often we politically move away from the concept: A man is entitled to the fruits of his own labor. We allow ourselves to be persuaded by the latest cause celebre and do not protest when what is ours is taken from us for someone else’s benefit. They seem to forget that, if not for my labor, there would be nothing for them to take.

    Not to be too political!

  16. Chris,

    Interesting sentiment. Although the quotes likely give a correct description of an anarchist viewpoint, the colloquial interpretation of anarchism leans towards the violent overthrow of a government. Likely the interpretation the Europeans in the class were concerned about being assumed. The quotes seem to more accurately describe libertarianism in modern day political parlance and viewpoint. Of course, "The Libertarian Tool Chest" doesn’t seem to have the same attention grabbing quality.

  17. I can’t wait to get this book in my hands. This little video is such a great promo for it. Great work as always .

  18. I like it.

    Additionally, I hope to see plans for the chest at some point in the near future.

  19. Robert,

    Glad you asked. The tool chest is central to the book.

    The content will be one-third about the mindset. One-third about designing and building a suitable chest. And one-third about the tools that inhabit it. You can’t separate the three ideas.

  20. I’ve been wondering from the beginning whre you got the wood for this toolchest, because I’m sure there’s some story to it. This whole thread has been a little cryptic and secretive (like a good novel) and I’ve enjoyed watching it unfold, so I haven’t asked. But I think I’ve figured it out – is this it here ?

  22. Greg,

    It is Eastern white pine that I bought from the same vendor you referenced. Though it’s not terribly common here in the Midwest, it’s available in those widths back East. I know people with 24" boards. I wasn’t that lucky.

    And I’m actually not meaning to be cryptic as much as I am feeling my own way and trying not to be too literal as I write. I hope it’s worth it.

  23. I didn’t mean "cryptic" in negative way – maybe it wasn’t the right choice of word. Unlike you, my day job doesn’t require a lot of writing skills! I have much enjoyed following along as you feel your way and eagerly anticipate the final product. Thank you for sharing so unselfishly with both this and all previous endevors.

  24. Whether naming a wooden object in "500 Cabinets" or seeking a name for a piece of literature, a good title can provoke.

    For me personally the term anarchist, right or wrong carries too much negative baggage. But I carry a "modernist’s tool box" and I’m studied in "aesthetic anarchy", I see the beauty in apparent chaos and know the value of being an "individual". I like the term "independent mechanic" being used by Schuster but the term "Economic Anarchist" is too harsh for me. I keep looking at anarchy as selfishness and not visualizing the "individual", chin high.

    Now if that tool box you are writing about, empowers individual mind-set beyond the group surveyed and helps to heighten visual prowess, send me that "Anarchists Tool Box"…… ASAP.

    Enjoyed it!!!!

  25. As I move from a 20’x16′ blended shop to a 9’x6′ handtool space (only walled on two sides), this feels like to right book at the right time.

    Step 1, completing a 7-1/2′ split-top Roubo, is done.

    Here’s hoping the book helps with the remaining steps.

  26. Chris, I’m looking forward to reading the new book. Love the concept and the title is perfect. The video with you reading the quote from Bailey was superb.

    One question though, about one-third of the way through the video it looks like one of the hubs on your twin-screw front vise sheared off. Is there a story there?

    Happy Holidays,
    Dave

  27. Dave,

    I was replacing the pins that secure my hubs when the photo was taken. I had wooden ramen pins and changed over to steel. Nothing broke.

  28. "Though it’s not terribly common here in the Midwest, it’s available in those widths back East." I always get a kick out of how people living within spittin’ distance of the Appalachians get all confused about where they are. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Cincinatti IS "back East." Perhaps "middle of the East", but not "mid West".

    As for the "Anarchist’s Tool Chest", from a marketing standpoint I think it’s an intriguing enough title to pop off the shelves. I also know that if I knew nothing about it, I’d pick it up off the shelf and give it a chance to NOT disqualify itself from the trip to the checkout. In short, the title renders the book guilty until proven innocent, but curiousity as to why anybody would pick such a title would lead me to look it over.

    ‘Tis just me, but my impression of anarchists today is they are spoiled children throwing a tantrum, their falutin’ philosophy merely a figleaf. Not a good impression to lead with… It’ll be an interesting book….

  29. I remember reading a John Brown article in Good Woodworking years ago. He was thinking about writing a book titled the anarchist chair builder.

  30. Actually his column was titled The Anarchist Woodworker and had a logo of a bomb. I have all his columns. The book title is somewhat of an homage.

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