There is still a sprinkling of craftsmen who are exceptionally good at their work

Oct 26, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Laura: “What’s in a face?”
Justina: “Surface; this world judge by surface.”(From the play “Justina’s Calypso” by Earl Lovelace)
Many moons ago, my father had a long-sleeved striped blue and white shirt (more of blue than white) that could have been worn on either side; if he wanted to wear it all blue, he could have done so, but never all white.

The cuffs, blue on one side and white on the other, were detachable and were held to the sleeves by studs whenever. The collar was also blue on one side and white on the other, and that, too, was also attached to the shirt by three studs.

The front had buttons and also studs. The choice was his. The sides were cut in a V, with triangular pieces sewn in, and it tailed off in a kind of flare.

This shirt was a winner, unique in style and craftsmanship at its very best. It was one of the finest pieces of sewn garment I had ever seen, neat and smooth. Till today I can still see that shirt in my mind’s eye.

Mr. Editor, what a pity that today the art, quality and pride that tradesmen one possessed are all lost; gone fuh channa. Few are they who battle to maintain the skills, who see their work as their signature, and are frantically meticulous about the finished product.

There are many renowned big businesses selling furniture that are built in slipshod manner, very rough and absolutely sub-standard, yet the cost is staggeringly high.

At a glance they all look very pretty, real cute, but this is exactly what was intended – an impressive appearance at first glance. But after the purchase is made, and upon close examination, one has all the time to sit with regret and moan.

What you saw is just what you got, the beauty is all surface, the thing is substandard: ‘The material used is the worst kind, poor quality pieces of plyboards with raw edges put together against the grains to form one piece, instead of a single spread; a kind of cardboard pasted on the inside, most of the inside work is crude and distasteful.

The back, which you don’t see, is worse – done any old how. It is not hard to discern that only one coat of spray paint is unevenly put on, since you can almost see through it.

It is all a deception, a costly rip-off, and you have got to be extremely careful, since you do not always get the one that you identified, which is quality show piece that is being advertised, yours must come from those in the store room that are mass produced without care.

This sloppiness has now become the trait, the hallmark of almost every other trade, especially in the construction arena, where men have learned the tricks and not the trade.

It is unfortunate and heartrending that this sort of unscrupulousness has saturated many trades and businesses to the point where it is all about quick and plenty money, and the low income workers struggling to make a nice home are the most vulnerable.

But, like I mentioned above, we still have a sprinkling of craftsmen who are the exception and strive to maintain quality and pride, and not just price. To them I say much respect.

I would, however, personally like to single out Ken Haynes from the community of Linden, whose work is definitely of a high standard, with durability par excellence.
Frank Fyffe

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