A Craftsman's Legacy

[SouperGrover]

I've been watching this show on PBS recently called a Craftsman's Legacy. It's about a guy who makes custom motorcycles from scratch and he visits with various craftsmen and women to learn about their trade. He's visited a woodworker, guitar maker, blacksmith, saddle maker, knife maker. gun smith and others. I highly suggest it for those who appreciate good crafting and learning techniques. You can sign up for free on the website and watch all of the episodes since the first season is over. Check it out!

www.craftsmanslegacy.com

 

[Bobby Cole]

I signed up to watch. Really good stuff,Thanks!

 

[justanengineer]

Sounds like a rip-off of Jesse James latest one - American Craftsman.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Sounds like a rip-off of Jesse James latest one - American Craftsman.

But this is PBS. It probably is what most of us wish Jesses shows were. No Drama, no B.S.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Another good show I've seen on PBS is http://www.ultimaterestorations.com/ Different episodes cover restorations of a locomotive and a train car, a couple yachts, an airplane, a fire engine, a pipe organ, and a carousel. Check your local listings.

 

[Willie Makeit]

Sounds like a rip-off of Jesse James latest one - American Craftsman.

Or just maybe douche bag JJ's show is a rip off of this one.

 

[mg67rt]

The host, Eric, owns Voodoo choppers in Auburn Hills, Mi. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and touring his shop. He is a quiet and friendly guy, and very talented. He genuinely admires old school craftsmanship and showcasing these talented folks.
His shop is small, but he hand builds the bikes and the sheetmetal.

 

[SouperGrover]

The host, Eric, owns Voodoo choppers in Auburn Hills, Mi. I have had the pleasure of meeting him and touring his shop. He is a quiet and friendly guy, and very talented. He genuinely admires old school craftsmanship and showcasing these talented folks.
His shop is small, but he hand builds the bikes and the sheetmetal.

He comes off in the show exactly as you describe him here. He does seem genuinely interested in every first-person he has visited.

Regardless of the host I still think the show is cool to see the various trades. There aren't enough people in the world anymore who care do do their best at their particular job anymore.

Whenever I see craft booths I always appreciate the craft and skill that goes into the items but feel bad that I can't afford the prices they have to charge.

 

[justanengineer]

But this is PBS. It probably is what most of us wish Jesses shows were. No Drama, no B.S.

Its APT not PBS and JMO having only watched the first episode but so far this show has way more drama than most of JJ's shows, the first half is just Eric griping about shop classes disappearing, others' inability, and how much he loves "craftsmen." Ironically, the second half shows ~30 seconds of him working with the low end of mostly imported tools, a lot more talk, and very little actual work being accomplished. Other than the 3-way bike buildoff with OCC and AssMonkey JJ's shows didn't really have drama beyond the usual "we've got a week to build XYZ and that's not a lot of time." No doubt his life otherwise had a bit of drama marrying the wacko **** star, but other than self-deprecating jokes and a few shop pranks there wasn't really any drama on the shows, always a pretty normal shop environment to me with good work done throughout.....plus big old machines - my favorites!

Regardless, I'm going to watch a few more episodes in the hope this series gets better (less talk, more work, and projects beyond wood shop 101) and frankly bc it is fairly tame compared to the **** on tv today which is nice. I do miss Norm tho.

 

[aafadca]

I saw it several months ago with the knife maker, gunsmith, saddle maker and maybe one other. But I haven't seen it since. I wonder if it's a seasonal thing

 

[SouperGrover]

I saw it several months ago with the knife maker, gunsmith, saddle maker and maybe one other. But I haven't seen it since. I wonder if it's a seasonal thing

The website says Season 2: Coming This Fall. Not wure exactly when though

 

[Solpainter]

Season 2 starts Monday, October 5 on Detroit PBS.

 

[PFSard]

I just watched this episode on PBS, where Metalsmith Seth Gould and host Eric Gorges make a hammer. I'll probably never engage in making one, but it kept my attention for the entire half hour :

The Tool Maker - Season 3, Episode 5

 

[jives]

Try this one instead, Handcrafted in America, hosted by Jill Wagner (former of WipeOut fame):

http://www.insp.com/shows/handcrafted-america/

 

[Bl00dyKnuckles]

A Craftsman’s legacy just did a video with woodcraft on YouTube.

Wonder if he is going to do more direct to YouTube videos?
Hoping for a season 5 of the show too.

 

[77Birdman]

I watch the show when available. I think its ok for the most part. I had no idea he was from voodoo choppers. I think I met him a few years ago in Daytona.

 

[oldgoaly]

Try this one instead, Handcrafted in America, hosted by Jill Wagner (former of WipeOut fame):

http://www.insp.com/shows/handcrafted-america/

Sorry to say this has been cancelled, check their FB page for the reasons why. They didn't say anything of running reruns on another channel.



Eric is also on FB you can send him your comments and suggestions. He is a really cool guy!

tt

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I just signed up, too. i'll take a look and give it a shot. I can always opt out if it's a dud...

Tommy

 

[CraigStu]

We enjoy Craftsmans Legacy. My wife watches w/ me. She is usually reading a book so her attention varies but I often get a surprise question from her about something when I had assumed she was paying more attention to her book. There have been very few that we had no interest in watching. DVR is set to record them, so if we have no interest, we just delete.