When can you call yourself a craftsman?

[Handstitched]

G'day,  I've  been in two minds whether to ask this or not . But here goes. 

We all have our areas of particular interest in leather and as and we progressed from humble beginnings, we  later become experienced in some or all of  those areas. 

Some are saddlers, or love making western gear,  some love making belts  or bags  and so on, and some just love making ....well , anything & everything and indeed enjoy the journey .

But at what point can you call yourself a craftsman ?  

The reason I ask it , is because I have taken issue with a particular individual.  I'll explain later ( in quite  lengthy detail) , but in the meantime, your points of view? 

HS 

Edited July 17, 2019 by Handstitched

[fredk]

right, here goes... it can depend where you live. 

I had a friend who is a Gold and Silver Smith. He was legally not allowed to call him a Craftsman in those metals until he had made his Master Piece and it had been positively appraised by the Gold Smiths Guild in London

However, that apart, I reckon its when you enjoy what you do, turn out items to not only the best of your ability but push yourself to do even better on each successive item and sometimes have a break in your heart when you hand that item over to your client

[chrisash]

In the UK basically you can call yourself whatever you want unless it is a protective name buy the old guilds and institutions and even then its debatable if they can stop you apart from using their titles

You can call yourself a accountant, builder, plumer , engineer, scientist, master craftsman, surveyor and so on but you cannot for instance cally yourself a RICS surveyor unless awarded that title by the institute of Royal institute of chartered surveyors

[fredk]

aye chris you are basically correct.

But in that my friend was a Gold Smith, he could not get his own makers stamp unless he was approved by the Guild. The issuance of Gold and Silver Smiths makers stamps is highly regulated.

I mainland Europe in most professions one has to do an apprenticeship, then qualify, then spend a few years as a journeyman before one can call oneself a Craftsman. In the UK no one gives a sod anymore but many professions still insist on you have qualifications.

[Tugadude]

Interesting topic.  I work in the construction industry.  Most trades in my neck of the woods still have unions.  There is a set hierarchy within each union but they all are similar.  A worker begins as an apprentice, sometimes referred to as a "cub".  Then after a certain period of employment and attending classes, they attain the status of journeyman.  Their level of respect increases along with their paycheck.  A journeyman is expected to be able to handle any sort of work which is required for a specific job.  In other words, through training and experience, they should be able to complete a given task in a workmanlike manner no matter what skills are required.

That is the way it used to be.  Nowadays, there are journeymen that do not have complete skillsets.  They get pigeonholed into certain aspects of their craft and may become expert in some skills while neglecting others.

Plasterers are supposed to know how to do interior plaster, both conventional and veneer, stucco, EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) and ornamental plaster.  Those birds are rare.  Most become competent in two or three of those operations.

So in leather, I would think the same "hierarchy" would apply.  There is an apprentice stage, an intermediate stage where maybe you can call yourself a craftsman and then when you have truly mastered all of the necessary skills through training and experience, a master craftsman.

In labor unions there are boards made up of journeymen that judge the progress of the apprentices and later, the development of the new journeymen.  You cannot declare yourself a journeyman, you have to earn it.  There is a timetable for apprenticeship, but if suitable progress is not made by the time your term is up, then you are subject to dismissal.

So to sum it up, in my opinion a craftsman is one who can sit down at a bench and with the proper materials and proper tools construct most any item out of leather and do so in a workmanlike manner.  Perhaps this individual is not keen on making saddles but probably has the skills to do so if need be.  There is always specialization and it is quite rare to find people that excel at every task.  

BTW, my use of the masculine form in many of the terms above is not intended as a slight to the female gender.  I have great respect for women in the trades and in fact have met many who outshone their male counterparts. 

[Tugadude]

BTW, a gentleman that is often lauded for his workmanship and his willingness to help others grow in the craft is Nigel Armitage.  His videos are both enjoyable and informational.  I owe all of whatever stitching knowledge I have to Nigel.

He is seemingly quite proud (and should be) about having attained the level of Master Craftsman.  This link tells about the organization or guild.  There is a requirement that your work pass an assessment and that you uphold certain standards.  Sounds good to me.

https://www.guildmc.com/about-us/a-sign-of-quality/

[JLSleather]

Tuesdays.  I think you should call yourself a "craftsman" on TUESDAYS.  And sometimes on Saturday.

Point being... you'd have to DEFINE "craftsman". According to one dictionary, a "craftsman" is "a person who is skilled in a particular craft".  So, who or what is "skilled"? 

Art is too subjective to rigidly define.  I admit it... I see things for sale EVERY DAY that you couldn't PAY me to carry to the landfill for you.  It's THAT badly done.  I have personally THROWN AWAY items I did BETTER than that, but tossed them out as unacceptable work.  BUT somebody BUYS those things I'm talking about.  By DEFINITION, a "professional" is someone who gets paid for what he does.  So, can you be a "professional" WITHOUT being a "craftsman"?

I've always had a problem with the idea that the length of time you've been doing a thing has anything to do with how good you are at it.  I personally have met a lot of people who have done one thing for 20 years and STILL SUCK at it.  AND I know people who are brand new to something they decided to like and showed a genuine talent at it - far surpassing some with "20 years in" .  One guy in the tool and die "trade" had nearly 30 years on the job.  Turns out, he was there because he was one of the first in the department there.  He knew how to get through a day THERE, but wouldn't pass a proficiency test ANYWHERE else, and after 30 years of learning nothing new, basically kept his job simply because the union said you can't fire him unless he goes on a shooting spree through the building.  End result, he was one of the highest paid, but the least skilled.

And I don't personally think it's about the number - or range - of skills a person has.  You don't need to know everything there is to know about belts to be a skilled belt maker.  Nor do you need to know how to design sundry types of wallets to be a very good belt maker.

So having thought for a minute, I'm gonna say you are a craftsman when that craft is what you do the majority of the time.  If you install or fix roofs, you are a "roofer".  If you work on plumbing, you are a "plumber".  ANd if you craft.... 

 

 

[mrwatch]

A friend asked at my wood carving club, said I've sold a couple of my walking sticks. Does that make me a professional? I was told as for photography,  and replied when it become 50% of your income. Not sure if just an opinion. I also found that potential employers here in the states don't give much thought to all of the mail order home study courses. 

[Handstitched]

Well , this is interesting  . 

Also, is a craftsman defined by the quality of the work? And/ or by staying true to the craft? 

 

Thank you all for your responses so far . 

HS

[Hildebrand]

If this individual is putting out sub par work and using the title "craftsman" generally the problem will take care of itself as he will run out of customers for sub par work.  If you are concerned he may be taking your customers just based on title I suspect if he is that will be short lived if his product is subpar, word will spread quickly.  The longer I am on this earth the more I choose to concern myself with the things I can change and let the other stuff work itself out.  Just my $.02.

Todd