The two most influential people in my life as a woodworker have been Charles H. Hayward, the finest woodworking writer of the 20th century, and Carl Bilderback, a union carpenter and tool collector in La Porte, Ind.
I count on Hayward to guide me in the shop. I count on Carl to tell me the truth about my writing, my woodworking and life in general.
I met Carl when he phoned me at Popular Woodworking to tell me that a short article I’d written about a block plane was seriously flawed.
“What you wrote was right,” he said. “But you don’t know that you’re right or why you are right.”
Carl’s startling and entirely correct observation (it’s difficult to explain, but it involves Leonard Bailey and patents), led to a friendship that is more important to me than any tool I own or anything I’ve built or written.
Even more important than Carl’s ability to tell me the truth has been that he is – hands down – the most generous person I’ve ever met. I’ve watched Carl give away dozens of tools to young woodworkers to start them in the craft.
When he showed up at the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event in Cincinnati this spring, I hugged him, and the first or second thing he said to me was: “I have a miter box. Who should I give it to?”
But he does this without seeming like some saint. Ask him about Oprah Winfrey and screws, and you’ll get an off-color story that will make you spit your drink through your nose.
If you’ve ever met Carl – or if you haven’t had the pleasure – I encourage you to watch this hour-long video where Slav Jelesijevich and Carl paw through his basement shop and shoot the crap about tools and woodworking.
You’ll get to see some tools that will amaze (four panther-head saws?) and get a taste of Carl’s humor, deep knowledge of tools and loyalty to the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association. (And by the way, if you aren’t a member, fix that. As an anarchist, I can say it is one of the few organizations I’m proud to be a member of.)
Most of all, hold onto the Carls in your life. They won’t be around forever, and we all could use a regular dose of truth and generosity with no chaser.
— Christopher Schwarz
I had the pleasure of meeting Carl when he accompanied you at the weekend class you taught at the CT Valley School of Woodworking on building a boarded chest (summer of 2013). Carl provided me with many valuable tips on the use of hand tools, especially hand sawing technique while ripping a long (8 foot) board. Carl’s presence was an unexpected, but very welcome bonus to your class.
Very nice. Thanks for sharing this.
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent post. I hope someone will let me know if he is ever in east Tennessee.
Blefty – Carl is most always at the MWTCA SE Regional Meet in Madison GA. It is usually the first Sat in Feb as well as the Thurs and Fri preceding (i.e., its a 3 day weekend). Not too far for you and Carl is always approachable
I also attended the six board class mentioned above. Carl let me use a remarkable infill plane that was modified from a transitional plane. He worked with me quite a bit and his advice was much appreciated. A fine gentleman and craftsman.
I am also proud to be a member of Midwest Tool Collectors. Carl is indeed a fine and generous fellow. I would like to point out that he is also a fine singer. Definitly someone to emulate!
Have you seen him dress up in a wig and sing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips?”
Probably the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.
Mentors are the key to personal development, you can’t have too many. Thanks for identifying another one Chris.
Amen to that brother.
>
I love the M-WTCA community. Thanks for sharing this video. Makes me miss my grandfather…. we should all do our own interviews like this for our children and their children.
Someone should get Carl on the Woodwrights Shop to teach the rest of us something awesome about finish carpentry or whatever he wants. He seems like an incredibly knowledgeable person and very generous with what he knows. Wish there was more online from him.
Also hoping we can get Popular Woodworking to post his articles up. It would be a good blog post over there.