Against the
Grain
Charlie Earl
If you’ve
ever petted a cat or a dog against the pattern of the fur or hair, then you are
aware the critters would rather you go with the grain. In some cases you can
feel the static generated by going against the natural direction of the
protective covering. Likewise if you are planning wood, it is best to go with
the grain lest you create uneven bumps and flaws. Perhaps the best example of
working with the grain is the popular saying “to go with the flow.” It is
easier and less traumatic to move the same direction as everyone else.
Sometimes, however, one must resist the impulse to go along and aggressively
move against the grain.
As the
woodworking example suggests, moving against the grain can be a difficult and
rough way to go. It is uneven, loaded with splinters and difficult to polish. There
are times, however, when massive gouging and disruption are required to
complete the job in a timely fashion. Continually moving with the grain may
cause the project to lag and fail to be completed on time. If an inch or two of
excess matter has to be removed in order to develop the plan, drastic measures
must be taken to reduce the wood to a workable level. Moving with the grain is
the better method for finishing a piece, but going against the grain is the
quicker method for eliminating extraneous material.
The liberty
movement has many similarities with craftsmanship. The rough edges must be
negotiated and the unneeded material should be discarded. Fortunately for us,
we have a plan….a template. In the woodworking world we call them “jigs.” They
are guides for our tools to follow as we cut, trim and finish our projects.
Jigs can be altered to allow for minor deviations from the original pattern,
but they do provide a steadfast reliable means for achieving our goals. If the
task is great and the raw material is much larger than our intended finished
product, we must begin by going against the grain.
Going
against the grain is not recommended for dealing with your pets. You may not
wish to incur their wrath by “rubbing them the wrong way.” Today’s shortened
column carries the wishes that your pets will always love you, and the sawdust
of your goals will cloud the sky.
Charlie Earl
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