[Woodcarver] Master Carver Trivia

[Victor Hamburger]

> OLD JOE wrote:
>
> The following is in answer to my question to a nephew who is attending a 3
> year Carving and Chair making school in Sweden.
> 
> A journeyman’s license is awarded after the completion of a gesäll project.
> These projects are usually between 300-800 hours and are required to include
> certain elements which are viewed as difficult. For a cabinet maker these are
> dovetailing, at least one door and some intarsia. The difficulty is often
> finding a project which is complicated enough to be accepted as a project.

Old Joe,

How does the courses and gesall project compare to the training at a school like
North Bennett St School in Boston (www.nbss.org) or the Center for Furniture
Craftsmanship in Rockport Maine (www.woodschool.org)?  While these programs are
shorter than the Euro schools, both produce craftsmen and women who can hold
their own in traditional and contemporary furniture design and construction. 
Fine Woodworking magazine has published work from NBSS many times and the
technical effort involved in the program is astounding for a 2 yr program.  

Thanks,	Vic H