What has happened at Popular Woodworking magazine?

[Jerry Olexa]

I have subscribed to PW for many years and this has been a favorite of mine...They have, in past, emphasized I thought the traditional, hand tool approach to woodworking and making fine furniture...I loved many of the feature articles by people such as Chris Schwartz, Glen Huey, etc. Over the past 6-7 months i see many changes both in style, content and approach.. Glen Huey is no longer there and today's latest issue did not even List Chris Schwartz as a contributing editor...The approach seems to be changing to a DIY, garage style, handyman style..I'm disappointed but wondering if I am missing something here....Let me know your thoughts and observations...Its renewal time and I am concerned...Thank you in advance.

[Bill Houghton]

New editor. I've been watching it, hoping Andrew, the new editor, will rev up to the kind of standards that Chris and Megan set.

[Chris Schoenthal]

Got an email the other day offering a one year subscription for $5. Still couldn't bring myself to do it.

Chris

[Jason Lester]

I renewed my subscription and the next issue had an article on metalwork and welding. Huh?

Fine Woodworking also wasted many pages recently showing how to make Knapp joints, a joint that was only ever made because there was a machine that could make it. Why in the world would I want to duplicate a machine joint with that much work when a dovetail is stronger, easier, and looks better?

[Simon MacGowen]

I renewed my subscription and the next issue had an article on metalwork and welding. Huh?

Fine Woodworking also wasted many pages recently showing how to make Knapp joints,

Just like anybody else, FW is running out of materials to recycle (having recycled so much already!). It recently sent me a three-year renewal offer that looked fantastic. But I have decided to end my current subscription once it expires as the marginal value is so so little.

Simon

[lowell holmes]

I find that both Popular Woodworking and Fine Woodworking have slipped. I guess either the writers don't have the skills or maybe everything has been written. I still take both though.

[Chris Parks]

There is only so much you can write about on any subject, I notice one of the more prominent YouTubers must be starting to run into content problems as well lately.

[Derek Cohen]

I may read a magazine for 5 - 10 minutes to switch off when in bed at night. Or keep a bunch on my iPad for long plane flights.

I was extremely disappointed with the February edition. It was light years removed from the Popular Woodworking magazine under the guidance of Chris Schwarz. I read a magazine for article that make me think about what I am doing, offer a broader canvas by way of history to specific techniques, or teach/deminstrate more advanced skills. That edition was no different from Wood magazine, or something similar. I do not subscribe, or even read, magazines like that because they are for beginners.

It is very likely that my subscription will not be renewed. I continue with Fine Woodworking as there remains a fine standard. I accept that they need to cater for a varied readership, and I think that they do this quite well.

There are two other magazines that are worth looking at. The first is Furniture and Cabinetmaking (from the UK). It is a bit parochial, but often has interesting contemporary work as well as history and biographies. That was the fare of the late Woodwork, a magazine we all admired. The other mag is the Australian Wood Review. This has come up in recent years, and is in the FWW mold.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jerry Olexa]

You guys are noticing what I've been seeing too.....Sadly, I understand...Used to be a joy to open a new issue of a woodworking magazine...

[Steve Kang]

Has anyone tried Furniture and Cabinetmaking? It's a UK mag which focuses on fine furniture making.

[Michael Fross]

I've just let my Pop Woodworking subscription expire. I'll stay with FWW and I hope it does not slip as well. I've started to read "The Woodworker" magazine that Lost Art Press has published in book form. It's certainly dated, but I really enjoy the articles.

https://lostartpress.com/collections...ears-vols-i-iv

Michael

[Bill Houghton]

There are two other magazines that are worth looking at. The first is Furniture and Cabinetmaking (from the UK). It is a bit parochial, but often has interesting contemporary work as well as history and biographies. That was the fare of the late Woodwork, a magazine we all admired. The other mag is the Australian Wood Review. This has come up in recent years, and is in the FWW mold.

Derek

A semi-local (next town over) newsstand used to carry Australian Wood Review at an affordable price. I was delighted by it, and looked into subscribing, but the subscription cost was daunting. Alas, that newsstand shut down, and I haven't seen it since. It's too bad: there were enough differences from American practices to make it inspiring. I remember in particular a large European-style piece (secretary or tall chest of drawers or the like) made by an Australian of European ancestry and then painted by his work partner, an Australian of aboriginal ancestry, in traditional aboriginal style (very pointillist). It was stunning.

I note that the subscription cost for Furniture and Cabinetmaking is equally daunting, at least in print form. I don't do well with digital text; I want something I can read anywhere, and I am not interested in buying an iPad.

[lowell holmes]

I may read a magazine for 5 - 10 minutes to switch off when in bed at night. Or keep a bunch on my iPad for long plane flights.

I was extremely disappointed with the February edition. It was light years removed from the Popular Woodworking magazine under the guidance of Chris Schwarz. I read a magazine for article that make me think about what I am doing, offer a broader canvas by way of history to specific techniques, or teach/deminstrate more advanced skills. That edition was no different from Wood magazine, or something similar. I do not subscribe, or even read, magazines like that because they are for beginners.

It is very likely that my subscription will not be renewed. I continue with Fine Woodworking as there remains a fine standard. I accept that they need to cater for a varied readership, and I think that they do this quite well.

There are two other magazines that are worth looking at. The first is Furniture and Cabinetmaking (from the UK). It is a bit parochial, but often has interesting contemporary work as well as history and biographies. That was the fare of the late Woodwork, a magazine we all admired. The other mag is the Australian Wood Review. This has come up in recent years, and is in the FWW mold.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I agree, Popular Woodworking is a mere shadow of it old self. Fine Woodworking is not much better.
I am sad.

[Jerry Olexa]

I agree, Popular Woodworking is a mere shadow of it old self. Fine Woodworking is not much better.
I am sad.

Well said , Lowell!! I am sad too..

[Simon MacGowen]

Finally got a chance to page through the latest issue of PW quickly.

Shave horse, bar stool, mitered credenza are the main projects featured.

Guys. The first two projects (or similar) have been featured before the current editorial team was put in charge. And, all of them have been featured in FW. So, what are bad about the latest issue? Because they are not completed using traditional tools? Most FW projects are not completed with traditional tools either as far as I know.

Simon