Chairmaker
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- Rick DiClemente. 1975. 16 mm Film.
Chairmaker follows 80-year-old Dewey Thompson from Sugarloaf Hollow, Kentucky, as a rough-hewn rocking chair takes form under his experienced hands and well-worn knife. But this “how-to” film is as much about how to live as it is about how to make a chair: Thompson’s philosophy and insights into his character are gently interwoven with the depiction of his work. For the student of folk culture, the film provides a rare opportunity to see a folk artist creating his craft in the context of his everyday life, and for the student of history, Chairmaker offers a glimpse into the past, when Thompson's skills and values were once widespread in rural America.
“A tour de force … Anyone of any age wanting to stay young should see this relaxed film. Dewey’s is the kind of individual enterprise that makes a man along with a chair.”- Film News
“The tone and pace of the film match the personality of Dewey Thompson and the rhythm of his work-unhurried, uncluttered, understated ... Chairmaker is a fine demonstration of folk craft and a warm portrait of an Appalachian highlander.”
- Journal of American Folklore"
“In an amazing demonstration that begins with the chopping down of one tree and ends in a beautifully crafted rocking chair, Thompson shows off his skills while carrying on a casual and thoroughly winning conversation with the camera. A delightful visit.”- The Louisville Courier-Journal
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Proud to call this man my Great Grandpa! Brings back so many memories
I would love to have one of his chairs. I bet you are proud he seems like a great person.
Well kevin, you must be so proud. What a brilliant man 👌🙏❤️🇨🇮
Pride in a craft and hard work. I admire men like this, they where special.
Awesome to see. wish I could see vid of my great grandad. I can just remember him.
The chairs must be worth a fortune now!
No glasses. No hearing aid. No WRINKLES! No stopping to rest - ever. No instructions. Amazing!
No vaccines!
The sparkle in that old man's eye when he laughs is so awesome
This man's work ethic puts most of us to shame.
My Grandpa was 20 years old when the depression hit and he told me once that he would chew on a piece of leather to keep from getting hungry- he and my Grandma were 2 of the best people 👍
Many millionaires out there that never did a hard days work in their lives, this man sells wonderful functional works of art for just enough to get by, yet he's twenty time richer than any millionaire.
That's a beautiful thing said of this man the observation of a simple life and the balance of give and take.
He’s not just getting by on $25 a day
That was 1975. Minimum wage was $1.25 an hour.
1.35@@bobondess9168
They definately have. Try making a million.
A work of art and craftmanship. Those chairs will out last anything made now a days
Not only do they last but are easy for the people that make them te repair. Strong and simple like the life of their maker
Except disposable plastic bottles. And Keith Richards.
I am the second generation off the land and in the city. I couldn't live that lifestyle myself, but I sure understand and appreciate it. I used to spend my summers back home with the old folks. They've all passed on. I surely miss them and their insights.
At the rate the country is declining you might want to get in touch with your roots. Hard times are coming and the only people that will be able to take care of themselves will be the folks like this gentleman. There won't be any govt. checks and free stuff when the country falls.
I'm 78 and was born and raised in Louisiana. When I was a kid there were many men like Mr. Dewey, my grandpa being one of them. They have all gone now. Thanks for the trip back to my childhood.
El Mirage, Arizona
Im sorry you live in El Mirage now. 4.2 square miles of nothing much but Waddel rd. lol
I noticed every time he swung that axe he made it count. A true woodsman. Much respect.
Same with his hammer blows
Honest hard working man, these are the type of men that made America, thank you for telling their stories, GOD bless!
Wow! Back when chairs were made of wood and men were made of steel.
I’m 61 and this old man reminds me of my grandpa. Strong as could be and more out of nothing. Kept a smile on his face and could put a 30 year to shame. Unfortunately you’re witnessing a gone era . I work in my garage in my neighborhood with woodworking and other projects…not a damn on of my neighbors owns a hammer or even knows how to use one. I only trust a man that works with his hands. This should get 10 million views but it’s only important to a small group of people. Thanks for sharing this it warmed my heart.
I am almost 30 years and I learned a lot from this video. I want to be more or less just like this legendary man here.
A modest man and craftsman at peace with the world and himself
The best of humanity in a single video.
One of a kind, never seen him miss his mark, with hammer or axe. Hero material.
I work for an old Rancher that lived to be 94. He was in his early 80's at the time. He saw me miss my mark and hit my thumb and said that will learn you not to do that again. He thought it was pretty funny. It made me laugh and forget how much it hurt.
The salt of the earth. A fine old man.
It does my heart good to listen to him talk and watch him go about the process of gathering his chair making supplies, and using what Mother Nature provides for him in her lumber yard.😊😅
I'm only 56 but kids look at me when I say I worked in building houses and doing concrete work at $ 4 an hour at 18 or for $2 cleaning ditch at 12 years old like I looked at people his age for working for 50 cents a day and said wow. My Dad would be 105 years old so I was lucky to learn from and work for Men and Women of that time. They taught me the life skills that helped me earn a living. Sometimes they didn't have money but feed me and gave me from there vegetable garden or took me fishing. I was plenty happy with that. I get teary eyes thinking about them being past away. They would look at his work and say that's a fine chair.
This is folk art in its truest sense.
The highest form of art because it shows no egotism.
Unlike today’s content creators.
The difference then was, not about money and stuff, just to be happy with family, friends and enjoy life with just the right amount of money to make things go. Knowing you were in charge of your happyness and money needs. Then when you needed money you worked hard and that was an excepted process to living long. Enjoyed the film
A true gentleman and fine craftsman.
This was an amazing American story. How well presented. I identify with a simple common man. Modesty, humor, crafty, self-sufficient, hard-working, a unique soul, a slice of what makes America. We are blessed. Ray 73 yo guy.
I am79 years old and love his work ethic and simple life. Great documentary.
I made chairs for 20 yrs.out of my small shop . This gentleman has my deepest respect.
Any clue what type of tree he cut down to use?
@@billj4137 good question. I'm not sure, but sort of looked like Hickory... (by the leaf)
@@billj4137
Excellent question ❗️
I was curious too… so I googled it of course… lol
There’s a guy….. his name was Gabriel Janka;
( from Austria ) he lived from 1864 to 1932.
This researcher came up with a way to measure the “hardness” of wood.
His scale is still used today.
It starts at
0 and goes to 4000.
As a example:
Cherry Wood has a hardness factor of 995.
Black Walnut 1,010
English Oak 1,120
Red Oak 1,290
Ash 1,320
Bamboo 1,380
Rosewood 1,780
Mesquite 2,345
Ebony 3,220
Ect………
Hickory wood and Pecan wood has a hardness of 1820 ❗️
People loved using it back in the day to make handles, wagon wheels,flooring ect because of its density,
hardness and toughness that can’t be found in “ANY” other species of wood ❗️
( couldn’t split, gauge, or even scratch easily .)
A unique feature of Hickory is its bending capability. It has a 20,000
pound per square inch bending ability!
And … it’s ability to absorb shock is LEGENDARY ❗️
Hickory can last and last as a piece of furniture because it is almost indestructible ❗️
( it’s graining is “straight “making it dense-ness rare.)
It makes meat taste better when barbecuing too…
that old man used the shavings to get the fire going…..
nothing like the smell of Hickory or mesquite for taste ❗️
It is a “ very expensive”wood to buy because of its availability and it’s so hard, it dulls and blunts all the tools usd to cut and shape it.
He could have charged 10 times the amount because of the lack of material availability…..and…. you had to sharpen your tools CONSTANTLY ‼️
And…. of how hard that wood is to cut
and shape ❗️
Well………
I’ll be 68 in September.
Don’t drink or smoke… but I’m not against either.
They both have their place in moderation
( weed that is👀)
A cold beer ain’t a bad thing….. 🍺👍🏾
I just don’t like to get sleepy …. …. Lol
so I stay away from it…..
tea or coffee….. now that’s my speed!
Hope to live to be over 100❗️….. that’s the goal anyway….. lol
I compose Jazz music and love building things.
Nothing more satisfying than writing a beautiful ballad ❗️
This old timer just warmed my heart ❗️
I live alone too…. and that’s good to get a lot done…….. ( I’m a writer and inventor as well)
Like to keep busy landscaping around my house too.
but, …….
I wish that kind old man had a woman there to keep him company……..
not good for a man to be alone all the time…..
a least he had his cat to keep him company……..
I’m gonna keep my eyes open for a good woman who laughs at my corny jokes…..
and is “NO” stranger to the kitchen stove….. yep… she’s gotta know how to cook ❗️…. lol
Well….. wish I could have met this man…… he and I would have easily been …. GOOD FRIENDS!
Well,
I’m headed to Home Depot to get some sod and white stones for the backyard.
Remember to eat right, stay healthy…. And get your rest….. and
SAY YOUR PRAYERS .. lol
God bless you sir,
Take care Bill.🕯
@@paulkramer4176hickory 100%
@@billj4137typically hickory… not all trees have usable bark layer. That’s what I use when I make chairs like this.
Whenever I come across one of these hand crafted chairs or rockers I always give them the respect that they deserve. 40 years plus repairing antique furniture and I have seen many
Good on you. Keep up keeping the good old ways alive.
A very fine man who's excellently hand crafted chairs if cared for are still with us today 49yrs later...!
It was an honor to see a glimpse of his life...!
Rest assured, a handful of his chairs are still kept in the family 👍
A proper man doing proper,beautiful work.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! unbelievable what this man/grandpa does. Thanks, I am 81 myself and he is brilliant to create all of this out of a tree trunk he fell himself. Kind regards and may you live pass 100. From New Zealand. June 2024.
The joy of making things, is priceless. That is why he is still alive!
All I could think of again and again was the saying, "old man strong"! Dude swinging an axe like nobody's business... and a large double bit axe at that. Goes to show, if you can keep moving, you keep living. Would love to have apprenticed with him earlier in my life.
This man had parents that never fed him McDonald's. Remember that when you get your kids a happy meal
He reminds of my grandfather; his lean body, country accent, and slow way of talking. I had a recording of Pa talking about his experience in WWI and my kids asked me if that was really how he talked. He was a man of few words and only spoke when he had something to say. This video makes me miss him.
I feel better now after watching him work. Very calming.
Just goes to show that the best of people don’t live in fancy houses or have lots of possessions and they’re sure not in Washington
Amen!
Watching a master at work, it doesn't get better than this!
Thanks for making this video... day in the life of a man with purpose.😮
All these woodworking channels make it seem like you can build a chair without a lathe. Yet this ol' boy is doing just that.
Zen
definitely you can build one without a lathe. I've got a couple lathes, and made a few chairs, yet never on a lathe. Draw knife is much faster. But there are lots of types of chairs.
Master Craftsman
Thanks for uploading this. I really enjoyed watching this craftsman doing what he loves to do. And all with just a few tools.
Glad you enjoyed it! --Rachel
Thank you! and I love the understanding of the commenters. One of the richest men on earth... in harmony with his food, his wood, his alcohol, and his life. He had children and they went their way at the right time too. His rooster and the woods are part of his harmony. As an Urban Captive I yearn for his Zen.
You’re a better man than me sir. God bless you. I wish you were alive today. I would pay you a BUNCH to have a chair from you. They don’t make them like you anymore
Thank you, it reminds me of my own grandfather! I would sit around and watch him make chairs and tables the same way. The only difference between this man and my grandfather was the German accent!
Wonderful craft skill honed over many years. A modest, self effacing and gently witty man. A ‘gem’ in the valley. Thank you. Phil, Suffolk U.k. 🇬🇧
Amazing and skilled craftsman of handmade furniture.
Nothing like a good Ol’ sit.
Master wood worker. He is one of a kind. Gods Blessing to him🙏
I say chairs are the foundation of civilization, the technology that lifted us up off the ground and enabled us to work for eight hours a day banging on a keyboard. This man represents the bed rock of human endeavor. I honor him and thank the film makers for capturing his wonderful spirit and superb craftsmanship. I built two Adirondack chairs with lumber from the lumber yard and shaped it with power tools used clamps and glue from a bottle, and screws driven with a power drill- just enough to know I couldn’t hold a candle to this man’s handy work.
❤
Well said!!!
What a GREAT VIDEO of a RARE & WONDERFUL human being. My folks were from KY and this makes me tear up - seldom do I see this work ethic and simplified way of life. I'm 81 and can hardly bare to see our current situation in 🇺🇸
Tremendously enjoyed this film!!! ❤ to those who made it possible!
Happy Trails
From NM.
I’d buy one of these chairs in a heartbeat! What a skilled man👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Dewey, I like rocking chairs, I have two that I got in Georga a few years ago. I sure would like to own one of yours. I live in Germany now and like you I will stop working when I reach the age of can't no more. Work is the key to Life! Take care and keep on!
Real skills and real work ethics...Makes me smile!
Hunterstown PA . was a center for these types of chairs since before the civil war. As kids we all set on little Hunterstown rockers. Still some of them around.
👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! He's pretty strong and moveable for a 80 year old man. Tough as hell. Just like his wonderful chairs.
Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and health in particular.
Hickory. Brings back memories of how sweet it smelled. But it’s an angry wood when worked with power tools.
My grandfather, Everett D. Owen, made chairs similar to the one made by Mr. Thompson. Grandpa Owen lived in Jasonville, Indiana.
i remember him
I'm sure he was an amazing craftsman as well. Keep his work and memory alive brother.
GOD BLESS THE OLD SCHOOL MOUNTAIN FOLKS
I use to hand make river cane bottom and back rockers . I’m 82 and I often wonder if, I’d went back making rockers 25 years ago if anybody would have bought them
I show two movies to my 9th grade class every year . This and Castaway. Dewey Thompson always make a positive impression on them. The films creators did a great job of editing this down to the simple truth of what this funny old coot did and it's brillant.
What a Gem - I will see his smile for many days as think about this story!!
Handmade Appalachian rocking chairs $25.00. I wish I had a dozen. Beautiful.
You can only use one at a time . . .
@@tuggaworsley4281But if you have two you can invite a friend for a visit and a cup of tea.
@@tuggaworsley4281 he has 11 friends
Thinking about this Man here building a chair, to sit down in after he’s done a days work. Whether the chair gets done or not, I’m much abliged for the folks who put this story together, the camera man, the sound man ……. Let’s not forget the folks who heard or seen this fella first, thanks for sharing
Wow! What a wonderful video/film, thank you so much for sharing, and what a fantastic guy was auld Dewey, as a furniture restorer here in the UK I can only marvel at the skill of this fella, thanks again for posting this, take care out there and be lucky everyone
Thank you for watching! - Aaron
Love this. I built a couple Jenny chairs using wet lumber. Its an interesting process most people don't understand how those chairs stay together without glue.
I loved this video, grew around such good and knowledgeable folks and every one of them were my teachers in life! This part of our country must be preserved, from them comes such knowledge no college can teach, especially today! Would love to see more such videos!
He is putting real power into those axe and maul strokes.
I'd be proud to own one of his rockin chairs.
God Bless this fella
Not a drop of glue in sight. They do not make them like that anymore and I'm not just talking about the chair but the old man too.
Yeah....Looked like one nail for each armrest and I didn't see any others.
I really like this. Thanks for sharing it
What an awesome video!
Glad you liked it! --Rachel
What a great study in culture.
Some of the nicest people I have met were in West Virginia and Kentucky. Total strangers ,welcome you. Hard workers hard players.
I’d like to see someone from the video game generation try to make one! Interesting, and I’m a carpenter…
probably non existent. kids dont want to do manual labor.
Thankyou fir this! He has my depest respect! What a man the way he worked at such an age is awe inspiring.i only hope i can make a chair like this when im his age! Bless his soul.
No electric tools
very nice work 🙂
amazing skills Sir
Beautiful beautiful story.
It's amazing how much work for such a little amount of money, Those chairs are worth so much more, great video,
I wish I had one of those rockers. He really did a good job.
Truly one of a kind of video…… amazing ❤
EIGHY YEARS OLD and a-haulin' wood out of the bush, prepping it, whittling it down by hand - end result: Artisan quality chair. I. was actually surprised to see that he used one of them thar modern conveniences - the ardour nail. One. Wow. If I had any desire to be eighty, I want this guy's body.
Excellent. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for sharing this content. Thank you Dewey, Thank you Rick. Keep on rocking Dewey even on that other side….
Beautiful chair built by hand Thanks for sharing this
Really enjoyed seeing this. This guy is inspiring.
Thoroughly enjoyable, thank you !
That was a pleasure to watch , I imagined myself being there with him to to see the technique used and gain knowledge. I too would be proud if he was my grandad. What a beautiful piece of furniture he made. Well done sir. From one woodworker to another
Thank you for watching! - Aaron
Great to see
Awesome !!!!!!
This was great really enjoyed watching .thanks
Thank you so much for watching! - Aaron
Awesome dude very wise and talented. Good attitude and at 72 makes me feel lazy. cheers buddy rock on!
Look like a very skilled craftsman 💯🙌🏻😃
Thank you for posting really didn't get a prospect of time on how long it took him to build a chair but in 1975 15.00 was a pretty good sum of money
That double-bit axe was very sharp to cut through that hickory, even knowing it was nice and green.
remarkable woodworker
Didnt expect to see a photo of Jack Kennedy is this mans home.
Very cool
Looks like a good old Buck 110 folding knife. Tried and true and still made in the USA.
No, it is is a two layer knife, perhaps a trapper.
1000% respect.
Amazing , He uses hand tools like my Grandpa handed down to me. Except he's a better woodworker than me by a country mile.
Que maravilla !!!