Mortise and Tenon Magazine

Like many of you, I’m a digital guy who mourns the loss of old printed catalogues and magazines that featured long articles that explored topics in depth. That’s why I greeted the new publication of Mortise & Tenon magazine with good cheer. M&T is a one-edition-per-year magazine designed and published by Joshua Klein, a furniture conservator and maker based in Maine. The photography is beautifully done, with lush, large photos that capture the beauty of woodworking by hand.

M&T focuses on preservation, research, and recreation of historic furniture, and is itself decidedly anachronistic. There’s no on-line version of the magazine, and it doesn’t include tool or product reviews or advertisements. All the better to concentrate on a deep appreciation of period furniture and its master makers, conservators and scholars. M&T aims to give its readers a close-up view of the drawer bottoms and undersides, the irregular surface textures and the idiosyncratic charms of the furniture’s joinery and tool marks. As it says, “These are the things that neither Sketch-up plans nor museum visits can give you.” This kind of intimate, deeply knowledgeable approach that really hits a nerve with many of us.

Issues not listed are no longer available. Issues 1, 2 and 3 are available in a hardbound book called Mortise & Tenon: The First Three Issues. The book (AQ-11870), listed separately in our Books section, includes several bonus essays and a foreword by Christopher Schwarz.

Click the tabs at the top for a table of contents of each issue of Mortise & Tenon.

Issue 17 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.


• Finding a Path by Andrew Hunter
• The Light Within: Restoring Wooden Sash Windows by Michael Updegraff
• A Communal Legacy: Handcraft as Part of a Holistic Education for Life by Edward Bouvier
• Secrets Beyond Our Reach by Narelle Freeman
• Everything in its Place: A Call to Reorder Our Shops by Joshua A. Klein
• A Veneer of Civility: An Examination of a Mid-18th-century English Slant-front Desk
• Take Care by Emmet Van Driesche
• The Homes In Which We Live: Historic Buildings & Their Significance by Nevan Carling
• Preserving this Culture, Rebuilding their Crafts: Japanese River Boats by Douglas Brooks
• Book Recommendation: William Bryant Logan’s Sprout Lands by Brendan Gaffney

Issue 16 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.


• Gathered in Reverence: Kezurou-kai in the United States by Michael Updegraff
• The Whittier House Windows: Sash-making in Early America by Ted Ingraham
• House By Hand by Joshua A. Klein
• A Life of Its Own: The Practice of Woodblock Printmaking by Stefan Wolf
• Cornered Charm: An Examination of a 19th-Century Corner Cupboard
• Forgiveness by Gary Rogowski
• Working With the Trees by Joseph Brihiez
• Neatly Fitted: An Introduction to Scribe-rule Timber Framing by Joshua A. Klein
• On the Perception of Tradition by Thiago Silva

Issue 15 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.


• “Ambulance for Monuments: Saving Romanian Heritage” by Dragos Nuta
• “Making the Versatile Hutch Table” by Joshua A. Klein
• “The Traveling ‘Ukulele” by Aaron Keim
• “Accustomed to Handle the Hammer: The Nail Making Specialty in Pre-industrial Manufacture” by Kenneth Schwarz
• “The Red & the Black: Snakewood & Early American Furniture” byGerald W.R. Ward
• “Resolute Care: An Examination of an Early-19th Century Pine Standing Desk”
• “Few & Far Between: Making Gate Hurdles” by Michael Updegraff
• “Sheraton’s Red Oil: Experiments in Historic Finishes” by David Bayne
• “The Peddle Chair: The Journey to Intuitive Work” by Jon Grant
• “Book Recommendation: Hermann Phelps’ The Craft of Log Building” by Will Lisak

Issue 14 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.


• Building for Belonging by Joshua A. Klein
• The Meaning in the Silence: Japanese Craft Pedagogy by Douglas Brooks
• The Past Can Save Our Future: Recovering Linseed Oil Paint by Michiel Brouns
• Lagging’: Coopering a Norwegian Tankard b
y Marshall Scheetz
• Leaving a Trace” by Michael Updegraff
• Kubbestol: An Examination of Two 19th-century Scandinavian Stump Chairs
• Hands in Constant Motion: A Visit with a Master Planemaker in Taiwan by Agnes Chang
• New Trails, Old Ways: An Interview with Seth Gebel
• Working Without Recipes by George Walker
• Book Recommendation: Early American Wooden Ware by Mary Earle Gould

Issue 13 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

The Fiddle’s Unfolding: Tracing a Folk Tradition by Kerry Lambertson

Fruitful Efficiency: On the Cultivation of Skill by Joshua A. Klein

A Blacksmith’s Contribution to Woodworking by Kenneth Schwarz

Root & Branch: Rediscovering the Uttermost Parts of a Tree by Brendan Gaffney

From the Ashes: Examination of a Mid-19th-Century Work Table

Engaging Work: Selections on Craftsmanship & the Modern World (Compilation)

The Scraper Through the Ages by Michael Updegraff

Some Thoughts on the Artisan Process by Jim Tolpin

Reconstructing the Varnish Maker’s Art: Traditional Finishes for the 21st Century by Steve Voigt

Book Recommendation: Claudia Kinmonth’s "Irish Country Furniture and Furnishings” Gerald W.R. Ward

Issue 12 - Table of Contents

Issue 12 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

The Last Boatbuilder of the Nagara River by Douglas Brooks

The Simple Art of Wooden Planemaking by Joshua A. Klein

For the Love of History: A Journey into Practical Blacksmithing by Jordan Goodwin

Risk & Reward: Skill as a Safety Net by Michael Updegraff

The Van Gogh Chair by Masashi Kutsuwa

Both Ends of the Spectrum: An Examination of Two Ladderback Chairs

The Courage of Curiosity: An Interview with Furniture Conservator Donald C. Williams

From Jute to Silk: Making Splint from Riven White Ash by Brendan Gaffney

The Dalarna Corner Notch by Dennis Carter

Book Recommendation: Glenn Adamson’s Craft: An American History by Cameron Turner

Issue 11- Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

• Mountain Music: The Story of Foxfire’s 50 Years of Appalachian Handcraft by Michael Updegraff
• Warp & Weft: Weaving Academic Research with Handcraft in the Restoration of a Loom by Nevan Carling
• Understanding the Medieval Socket Axe by Gustave R?©mon
• A Williamsburg Apprentice: Discovering the Trade, Art, & Mystery of 18th-century Cabinetmaking by Jeremy Tritchler
• For Speed: Fancy Windsor Chair Production in Early America by Elia Bizzarri
• Examination of an Early 19th century Chest of Drawers
• Finding the Groove: The Value of Batch Production Woodworking byJoshua A. Klein
• The Drawknife & the Butterfly Effect by Dr. Mike Epworth
• On His Own Book: The Story of Chairmaker Richard Poynor by Hunter S. Zyriek-Rhodes
• Book Recommendation: John Ruskin’s Unto this Last by Ray Deftereos

Issue 10- Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

• An Unexpected Gift: Discovering Calm in a Modern Apprenticeship by Will Wheeler
• An Exercise in Precision & Randomness: Replicating David Pye’s Fluting Engine by Jeff Miller
• Book Recommendations: Books for Students of Furniture by Al Breed
• Ready Hands: A Letter to My Sons by Joshua Klein
• Savageness by John Ruskin
• A Whisper from the Past: The Lessons Tools Teach Us by George Walker
• The Rhythm of Weaving Cattail Rush Seats by Michael Updegraff
• Examination of a William & Mary Gateleg Table (1715-1740)
• Walking with Wood/Se Promener avec Le Bois by Joseph Brihiez
• The Past for the Future: Reflections on 50 Years as a Furniture Conservator by W. Patrick Edwards

Issue 9- Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

• “The Sacred in the Common: Making an Icon Panel” by Symeon van Donkelaar
• “Making the Sussex Chair” by Abdollah Nafisi
• “The Legacy of Cesar Chelor” by Steve Voigt
• Scribes of Nature: Dendrochronology & the Deeper Story of Wooden Objects” by Michael Updegraff
• Examination of an 1815-1830 New England Rocking Chair”
• Iterative Design in Vernacular Workholding by Joshua A. Klein
• The Master is Free: The Legendary Skill of John Hemmings by Canlin J. Frost
• “A Useful Third Hand: Shop-made Viking Clamps” by Zachary Dillinger
• A Path to Serenity: Sheltering at the Bench with the Korean Masters by David Lane
• Book Recommendation: “Shop Class as Soulcraft” by Nancy R. Hiller

Issue 8 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

• "A Sense of Place" Amy Umbel
• "Intermediate Technology in the Shop" Harry Bryan
• Examination: Grain-Painted Chest Over Drawers
• "Crafting an Education: Recreating Henry David Thoreau’s Desk with Eleventh Graders" Cameron Turner
• "The Legend of the Jimmy Possum Chair" Mike Epworth
• "Subversive Woodwright: An Interview with Roy Underhill"
• "Book Recommendation: Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings" Michael Updegraff
• "Showing Us What is Possible: A New Vision of Work from Charpentiers Sans Frontières" Joshua A. Klein
• "Tool Marks Tell Stories" Michael Updegraff
• "Manual Training: What it is and its Place in Education" Joseph C. Park

Issue 7 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

• "Partnership with Nature: An Interview with Peter Lamb"
• "A Fresh & Unexpected Beauty: Understanding David Pye’s 'Workmanship of Risk'" Joshua A. Klein
• "The Weight of the Past" Bill Pavlak
• "Freedom From Vises: Workholding Solutions From Three Traditions" Michael Updegraff
• "A Good Day’s Work: A Day in the Life of a Village Carpenter" Richard Arnold
• "A Gentler Way of Working: Investigating Welsh Vernacular Woodwork" Kieran Binnie
As Part of a Life Lived: A Shaker’s Perspective on His Community’s Craft Brother Arnold Hadd
• "Examination of a 1730s High Chest of Drawers"
• "#thenewwoodculture" Jarrod Dahl
• "Axioms of Pre-industrial Craft" George Walker
• "Book Recommendation: Country Woodcraft" Sam Desocio

Issue 6 - Table of Contents

144 pages. Printed in the USA.

• The Wooden Brace: Bitstock Technology for the 21st Century by Joshua A. Klein
  
• William Morris and George Nakashima: Finding the Middle Landscape by David Lane
  
• Examination of a Hanging Cupboard
  
• Forging Traditions: The Common Ancestry of Japanese & Western Edge Tools by Wilbur Pan
  
• The Good Life: Discussing Slöjd with Jögge Sundqvist
  
• A Windsor Chair Called 'Henry' by Nathaniel Brewster
  
• A Painted Chest in the Pennsylvania-German Tradition by Jim McConnell
  
• A Tale of Two Trees: The Radical Efficiency of Green Woodworking by Michael Updegraff
  
• Cutting-edge Technology: Rediscovering the Double-iron Plane - Steve Voigt
  
• Book Recommendation: Yanagi's 'The Unknown Craftsman' by Arsenios Hill
  
• At Work in the Shop: Cabinetmaking Returns to Old Sturbridge Village by Brock Jobe
  

Issue 5 - Table of Contents

142 pages. Printed in the USA.

• An Interview with Spencer Nelson on Apartment Woodworking
• An Overwhelming Call: The Life & Work of Eric Sloane by Michael Updegraff
• Chester Cornett’s ‘Masterpiece’ by Brendan Gaffney
• Norse Seat Chest by Kate Fox
• Hand in Hand with Jonathan Fisher by Joshua A. Klein
• Traditional Coopering by Marshall Scheetz
• Book Recommendation: Chinnery’s "Oak Furniture" by Derek Olson
• Examination of an 18th-century Tea Table
• Tools for Learning: Woodworking with Young Kids by Joshua A. Klein & Michael Updegraff
• Woodworking in Classic Literature by Megan Fitzpatrick
• 10,000 Hours: A Journey into Japanese Woodworking by Kim Cho

Issue 4 - Table of Contents

140 pages. Printed in the USA.

• The Quest for Mastery Through Production Work by Jarrod Dahl
  
• The Artisan’s Guide to Pre-industrial Table Construction by Joshua A. Klein
  
• In Pursuit of the Handmade Aesthetic by Michael Updegraff
  
• Straight to the Truth: Designing, Making & Using Straight Edges by Jim Tolpin
  
• The Business of Woodworking: 1700 to 1840 by Charles F. Hummel
  
• Axes in the Workshop by Vic Tesolin
  
• Examination of an English Kneehole Desk
  
• An Open Question: Investigating the Steam-bent Drawer Backs of the Swisegood School of Cabinetmaking by Jim McConnell
  
• Carpentry Without Borders: An Exploration of Traditional Timber Framing in Romania by Will Lisak
  
• Carrying Their Legacies: Selecting, Restoring & Using Wooden Bench Planes by Joshua Klein
  
• Entrusted to Our Care: An Interview with Furniture Conservator Christine Thomson
  
• Book Recommendation: The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, 1625-1725 by Peter Follansbee
  
  

Issue 3 - Table of Contents

140 pages. Printed in the USA.

• "The Spring Pole Lathe: Design, Construction, and Use" by Joshua Klein
• "On the Trail of Two Cabinetmakers: Reconstructing the Careers of Samuel Wing and Tilly Mead" by: Shelley Cathcart & Amy Griffin
• Essential Human Work: Reimagining a Legendary School on the Coast of Maine" - Interview with Drew Langsner & Kenneth Kortemeier
• "Modern Revivalist Toolmaking: What Yesterday’s Tools Can Teach Us Today" by Brendan Bernhardt Gaffney
• Examination of Two Period High Chairs
• "The Best of Both Worlds: Embracing the Art in Craft" by Danielle Rose Byrd
• "Patterns in Shop Practice" by Garrett Hack
• "Making a Stand: Form & Function for $1.50" by Michael Updegraff
• "Through a Wilderness of Ornament: Making Sense of 18th-century Pattern Books" by Bill Pavlak
• "On Perfection: Both Practical and Practiced" by Jim McConnell
• "Resurrecting the Derelict: Hard Choices in the Conservation of a Chest" by Joshua Klein
• Book Review by Vic Tesolin: "A Field Guide to Identifying Woods in American Antiques & Collectibles" by R. Bruce Hoadley