A client in Denver asked me why I never leave any marks on my work

I was dropping off a restored oak dresser last month, and the client, an older guy who used to do woodwork himself, said something that stuck with me. He pointed at the piece and said, 'It's perfect, but it looks like it just came from a factory. Where's your hand?' I told him I always sand everything smooth and buff out any tool marks for a clean finish. He just nodded and said, 'I guess I miss seeing a little ripple in the shellac or a faint sanding scratch that shows a person did it. It tells a story.' I've been thinking about that for weeks now. I built my whole business on flawless, machine-like results, but maybe that's not what everyone wants. Has anyone else had a client ask for less-than-perfect finishes on purpose?

3 comments

3 Comments

maryh961mo ago

Is it maybe about the difference between fixed and lived in? Like a factory piece is done, sealed off. But a hand made thing should feel like it's still alive, like it could keep changing with the family that uses it. A tiny mark isn't a mistake, it's proof it was touched. It makes it part of a home, not just a showroom. I mean idk, but that guy might have been saying your perfect finish feels a little lonely.

uma_webb281mo agoMost Upvoted

Wait, have you ever looked at a super clean, perfect thing and just felt kinda sad? I used to want everything I made to look like it came from a store, flawless and untouched. But reading your take just flipped a switch for me. That idea of a tiny mark being proof it was touched, not a flaw, hits different. It makes the thing real, like it has a story already. Now I'm kinda worried my old stuff just looks cold.

gibson.mark1mo ago

Totally get what you're saying.