Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking
by Tage Frid

Reviewed by Mark Gezella – September 2008

I decided to expound on the accomplishments of Tage Frid after having mentioned him last month in my Klausz article. I've known of him for quite some time, but never really investigated what he did or how he was regarded. I find I should have done so much sooner. We woodworkers lost a great talent when Mr. Frid passed away.

We have Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking in our library, which is actually book one of three. I think this may be the only set he ever authored, though he has quite a list of references to his credit. As I read about the lives of well-known woodworkers, I'm frequently awed and inspired by what they accomplish. Success can be measured by results that range from commodity to philanthropy. So often I approach this monthly article with "tunnel-vision"; i.e., a single intent of describing a person's book, or video, or expertise with regard to what kind of woodworking they do. But my research frequently proves educational when I find how diversified a person's approach to life can be. Mr. Frid is a perfect example.

Born Tage (pronounced "Tay", did you know that?!) Frid in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1915, he began his pursuit of craft at the tender age of 13. He served a five year apprenticeship under a master named Gronlund Jensen. Not only did he complete his apprenticeship, but went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from two universities in Copenhagen. He immigrated to the United States around 1948 when recruited by the American Crafts Council to form a woodworking program for the School of American Craftsman. After 14 years, he joined the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he taught from 1962 through 1985. From all accounts, he was regarded as a great teacher, who always sought to draw talent from his students. He was ever cognizant of a common pitfall among teachers; that being to avoid influence through personal ideas and methods, thereby encouraging a student to develop his own unique mechanical and intellectual abilities.

He approached all aspects of his work with conviction. His furniture style became known as Danish Modern, and he was instrumental in seeing that style flourish over the last five decades. Although most of us probably recognize Mr. Frid as a woodworker, he was most gifted as a designer. In fact, not only did he design furniture (held positions in Donovan & Frid, Shop One, and ESPAN, which manufactures small desk accessories), but served as design consultant to the Mystic Seaport Museum, International Mint, Rhode Island Hospital Trust, served as designer for the Howard Johnson's and Treadway motel chains, and was an interior designer for the Danish Government. His work was featured in many publications, and was added to permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institute, Renwick Gallery, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and Museum of Art at RISD. He also build altars and crosses installed in many churches, such as the Church of St. John the Divine-Episcopal (Denmark), and the Episcopal Church of Mitchell, S.D. And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention he was a former editor of Fine Woodworking magazine, and also helped establish it as a trade publication in 1975 (remember that I wrote of his enduring, healthy rivalry with Frank Klausz last month?!). And awards - fahgedaboudit!! Simply too numerous to list here.

He sustained a direct and pragmatic work ethos, yet offset this intensity with an odd sort of humorous persona. Mr. Frid often annoyed his wife with his stubbornness, which was portrayed by a "make it, sell it" attitude towards his creations. Once a project was complete, he couldn't stand to have it around anymore! One amusing tale describes how he and his wife were entertaining guests for a luncheon, when the affair was interrupted by movers who came to collect the very dining set they were using! He had sold the set sometime earlier but never mentioned it to his wife. Incidentally, he and his wife Emma were married for 57 years until his death in 2004.

As for his book, Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking is a compendious three-volume set, filled with over 50 years of experience from a master teacher and designer. It is revered by shop teachers as "essential reading", and considered requisite text for all serious artists. The three volumes instruct a reader in furniture building, and define key elements to Scandinavian furniture design and production; 1) Joinery - (the volume we have) considers critical intersections and appropriate joinery for maximum strength and longevity , 2) Shaping, Veneering, and Finishing - an amazing pictorial reference with over 700 illustrations that clearly instruct how to accomplish many operations such as turning, carving, veneering, and inlay, and 3) Furnituremaking - Mr. Frid teaches by example in this final volume, where he completes 18 unique pieces of furniture, including many tables, stools, a rocking chair, his own personalized workbench, and a grandmother clock. These volumes resonate with Mr. Frid's beliefs that furniture should always match the needs of those who use it, be it simple or complex, and be made soundly of proper material.

There is much to be discovered about Tage Frid, similar to what I realized with Frank Klausz. I found search results from the web to be almost mesmerizing. I actually found a copy of his death notice on the web, which is quite a tribute to the man. I encourage you all to take a look at his books, or visit the web or your local library to read more about this gifted artisan. Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking will be available for checkout during our next general member meeting.