Knocking on wood refers to a superstition that people use to ward off bad luck or to keep a good thing from being jinxed. This practice is particularly common in the United States and involves physically hitting or knocking on wood to bring good fortune, however, there is a carpentry class in Mumbai, India that takes its name from this superstition.
The carpentry class, titled “Knocking on Wood,” is held at Maker’s Asylum, an open community workspace that offers classes and access to tools and equipment to makers of all skill levels. The class is taught by Viren Vaz, a carpenter with over twenty years of experience in the industry who also runs his own furniture-making workshop.
Students who take the class learn fundamental carpentry skills as they build their own wooden object. This could include anything from a simple bench to a more complex piece of furniture. Even though the focus of the class is carpentry, Viren encourages his students to think beyond the woodwork itself and consider the design, use of materials, and sustainability of their projects.
In an interview with The Better India, Viren explained the inspiration behind the class name: “When people would come to my workshop and start discussing their ideas, I would tell them to hit a log of wood before we start. That’s when it hit me – instead of hitting just one piece of wood, why not teach an entire class?”
The class meets once a week for three months and covers topics such as measuring and cutting wood, joining pieces together, sanding and finishing techniques, and using different tools and equipment. Students work on individual projects, but they also learn from each other as they collaborate and problem-solve together.
One of the unique features of the class is its focus on sustainability. Viren emphasizes the importance of using local and reclaimed materials, and he shows his students how to repurpose old furniture and other objects for their projects. By working with these types of materials, the students learn how to reduce waste and make use of resources that might otherwise go to waste.
To learn more about the class, I reached out to Maker’s Asylum, who connected me with one of Viren’s former students, Simran Sircar. Simran took the “Knocking on Wood” class in early 2020 and has since started her own furniture-making business. In our conversation, Simran shared some of her thoughts on the class and how it impacted her as a maker.
“The class was a really special experience,” Simran said. “Viren was such a patient and encouraging teacher. He really cares about his students and their work.”
One of the things that stood out to Simran about the class was its focus on hand skills. While the students did use power tools and other machinery, Viren also emphasized the importance of learning how to use hand tools and traditional techniques. This helped Simran develop a deeper appreciation for the craft of woodworking and gave her the skills she needed to work on more intricate projects.
“The class really helped me build confidence in my abilities,” Simran said. “It’s one thing to watch someone make something, but it’s another thing to actually do it yourself. Viren provided the right balance of guidance and hands-on experience that allowed me to take risks and learn from my mistakes.”
Simran also appreciated the class’s focus on sustainability and using reclaimed materials. “It’s easy to go out and buy new wood, but that’s not always the most responsible choice,” she said. “Working with reclaimed materials was a challenge, but it also pushed me to be more creative and resourceful in my designs.”
Overall, Simran said that her experience in the “Knocking on Wood” class was transformative. “It gave me a new perspective on what’s possible with woodworking,” she said. “I never thought I could make my own furniture or start my own business, but now I feel like anything is possible.”
The “Knocking on Wood” class at Maker’s Asylum is just one example of how communities around the world are embracing the maker movement and bringing traditional crafts and skills back into the mainstream. By teaching carpentry and other trades, these classes are not only helping people develop practical skills but also fostering a sense of community, sustainability, and creativity.
Posted by makersasylum on 2015-05-18 07:10:57