Drifting into a Genre

Have dabbled a bit in the past with G&G, but now find I am being drawn into the vortex that is the world of Charles and Henry Greene.  I would say that at this time, it's the work of the Hall brothers that is 'appealing' as much as C&H.
First effort was two tall (42") chests of drawers that feature:

• cloud lifts, 
• pillowed through tenons on drawer sides, 
• square ebony/wenge pegs and 
• breadboard top with floating ends.   

Very honestly, it was a rather crude first effort at G&G.

Moved on to a dining suite in 2012/13

It started out as a basic Mission style table design, but as I noodled it, the pull of G&G took over and I went all in on the motif.  Breadboard ends with ebony splines, Tsuba design on table top (outlined in inlaid ebony squares), pillowed buttons, cloud lifts, the works. All done in QSWO and finished with the Rustoleum Ultimate Poly matte.  I love that finish.

The chairs were a real challenge, trying to get all eight matched.  Lots of very rewarding spokeshave work here  The angled mortice/tenon joints were also a challenge.  Thanks, Leigh, for the FMT!!

Hand 'Therapy'

The other tug I'm feeling is towards more hand planing and chiseling and to that end I have acquired the new Veritas low-angle jointer plane.  I had earlier purchased their new block plane and just loved it.  Veritas is making some very nice pieces these days and design element of using identical blades on different planes makes for a very flexible collection.  I have both the 25 and 38 degree bevel blades enabling 37 and 50 degree planing.

Liking the Veritas Jointer so much, I also have purchased their Low-angle Jack Plane and like it a lot.  I find myself reaching for it for the reasons it acquired its name.

All of this motivated me to go back to my father's 1947-48 vintage Stanley No. 4 (he bought it in Ireland, where I grew up through college) and re-tune it.  I have resharpened the cap and iron, but also purchased the Hock cap and iron as a complement.  It is singing to me!!

David Charlesworth is right when he talks about planing being therapeutic.  Even though I own a very decent 12" Grizzly Combo Planer/Jointer, I find myself finishing my jointed edges with the Veritas, often just for the pleasure of feeling that joy.

Just to show I am not religious about my plane vendors, I did break down and invest in a Lie-Nielsen #4 1/2 Smoother!!  What a joy to use.   While doing some work recently, it got some gouges along the sole and is currently back in Warren, Maine, being reground.  They are class people and I visit the showroom there every year when we vacation in nearby Camden.