Lost Art Press

Author: fitz

Woodworker, writer, editor, teacher, ailurophile, Shakespearean. Will write for air-dried walnut.

2024 Anarchist’s Gift Guide: Day 7

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Day 7: Purified/refined Linseed Oil

Finishing has gotten a lot easier here now that we have switched to raw linseed oil that has been purified/refined. These oils are lighter than your hardware store linseed oil, they dry fast and they don’t have any heavy metallic driers. You can use them on their own or in making your own finishes (such as soft wax or our “shop finish,” which is equal parts varnish, linseed oil and mineral spirits).

We have used four brands that we can recommend. There are others out there, we just haven’t tried them.

This endorsement isn’t a knock against the other brands. As I said, we just haven’t tried them. No matter which brand you choose, you will be thrilled with this lighter oil in comparison to the stuff from the hardware store, which is gummy and thick in comparison.

– Chris

2025 Anarchist’s Gift Guide: Day 6

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Day 6: Pica Markers & Mechanical Pencils

This year I have completely embraced the Pica marking stuff. It is not perfect (details below). But it is still miles beyond what I was using before.

What makes it awesome? Pica’s “Longlife Cap.” This is basically a scabbard that clips tenaciously to your shop apron, waist apron or other pocket. It protects the pencil or marker when not in use. And it makes the marking tool always available. I can grab the pencil or marker by only half-looking down and grabbing the orange thing (marker) or green thing (pencil).

The scabbard prevents the pencil from getting smashed or clogged with debris. And it keeps the marker from getting lost.

The second thing I love about the Pica gear is that it has long and skinny tips. This allows you to mark through templates with ease, and otherwise get the tip where it needs to go.

So what’s my beef with the Pica gear? Its short lifespan. The mechanism on the first two gave out and refused to advance the lead any more. The markers are fantastic, but they run out of ink too quickly. I’m on my third marker this year (I usually go through one Sharpie marker in about 12 months.)

You can pull out the marker’s tip, flip it and reinsert it for additional life. But the tip wears down rather quickly, and you do run out of ink. 

Even with those faults, I love the Pica gear (there’s nothing better) and I hope the gear will continue to improve.

– Chris

2024 Anarchist’s Gift Guide: Day 5

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Day 5: Hans Karlsson & Jason Lonon Scorps/Inshaves

Good scorps/inshaves are expensive and difficult to come by. Most of the used and discount scorps I’ve seen are not worth messing with. I’ve tried grinding them and even cold-bending their handles in an effort to make them work. Most times the old tool simply wasn’t made for chairmaking and it will fight you at every stroke.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Lucien Avery’s inshave. It’s what I use on every chair seat. It’s the perfect shape for the shallow saddle of a stick chair. It has a long flat area in the middle with curved bits at the ends. The typical Dunbar-style scorp (which is circular) is difficult to use with stick chairs. (I know this because this is what I used for many years.)

So I offer up these two other options. They aren’t as perfect as the Lucien Avery, but the waiting list is always smaller.

The Hans Karlsson inshave is excellent. Almost as good as the Avery. It has the blade shape I prefer and the handles are quite comfortable. It’s heavier than the Avery, which makes it more tiring to use. But otherwise it is completely excellent. The inshave isn’t available right now, but I’m sure they will make more. There are also retailers for the company that carry the inshave, so it’s worth looking around.

The Jason Lonon scorp/inshave also works well for saddling stick chairs. I wish the middle part of the blade were flatter, but it works well when making a stick chair. The Lonon (also currently sold out) is the prettiest scorp I’ve ever seen. The fit and finish are top-notch, and so is the steel. 

Eventually the world will have a steady supply of inshaves and scorps. But not today apparently.

– Chris

2024 Anarchist’s Gift Guide: Day 3

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Day 3: Old Town Utility Jacket (& a Work Jacket)

For many years, Old Town has made fantastic custom workwear (chairmaker John Brown was a customer). It now seems that the company is simplifying its operations and not taking on any new customers for custom work.

But despair not, for Old Town is still supplying Labour & Wait with Utility Jackets. If you’ve taken a class with me in the last few years, this is probably what I was wearing. It’s not a jacket. It is what I would call an overshirt. You wear a T-shirt under it. As a result, you can get four or five wearings out of the Utility Jacket between washings. 

The garment is incredibly well-made. It’s honestly a lifetime investment. The cut is quite loose, so you have lots of room to move (or add layers). It’s easy to wear. The buttons are somewhat large, making it easy to get off and on (even with big fingers). The front pocket is generous – I’m always stuffing my phone in there (or whatever else is in my hands) when I need an extra hand for a job. The sleeves are simple, no buttons to lose. You just roll them up like a shirt.

The Utility Jacket is available in blue and black. And yes, Labour & Wait ships to the U.S.

While you are at Labour & Wait, I can also recommend their Work Jacket. It’s very much like our work jacket (we don’t have many in stock right now). The Labour & Wait version is available in the traditional French blue. And it’s built so much better than the fake work jackets made by the fashion houses. It’s a true work garment.

– Chris

2024 Anarchist’s Gift Guide: Day 2

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Day 2: Origin Work Jeans Made in Maine
I’m always looking for good domestic-made workwear, not the stuff peddled for hipsters who wear Carhartt WIP. During the last year I have been wearing Origin Work Jeans, which are made in Maine. I have been unable to wear them out.

First, the inseams are triple-stitched. Yes, it looks overdone. Because it is. The denim is exceptionally strong – I have yet to rip the legs or tear the knees. And the pockets – oh, the pockets. They are lined with denim and not some tissue-thin cotton drill that disintegrates in a few months. The pockets last and last, even when filled with keys, knives and what-else-you-got.

The cut is forgiving for the woodworker’s physique (Body by IPAs). Your thighs will not be squeezed. Your “other organs” will also avoid the Denim Constrictor on fashionable jeans. These are real work jeans, and you can even order them with a double knee if your work is especially gravel-based. The jeans are available in three cuts: straight, boot cut and relaxed. I wear the straight cut.

The jeans normally cost $129. But you will find them on sale regularly for $99.

I honestly think I prefer the Origins to my Grease Point jeans, which are much more expensive. The Grease Points look nicer (I am constantly asked where I got them), but the Origin jeans have been more durable, especially the pockets.

Highly recommended.

– Chris