Spirituality

What sparked my word-flow here was that hammer on the floor, next to the bottom maker at John Lobb. As almost completely self-taught maker, I love to spot that little things we have in common, even though I didn’t have the privilege of being trained at such awesome workshop. That hammer, though, is like a language I speak fluently in. It’s a nice picture - you watch how other artisans use their tools and you go like: “Hey, that’s what I do too!”.

The man puts his hammer next to his leg. The handle up. Fully reachable, ready to use at any time. Waiting like a good dog for its master. But also every time, he has to position his hammer after use correctly. It transforms that simple activity into the ritual of appreciation. Of that moment, of that job, of that tool. For that same reason, I kiss my knives before and after use. Every time.

But probably even more striking impression on me had his pace. His relaxed manner. That dude took his time and I like it! I’ve heard recently an interesting point of view from someone, who chose other walk of life for his career. He said that he likes to spend time with shoemakers and watch them at work. In his mind, the guys are working all day long, but at the same token they never seem to hurry anywhere. I like that perspective a lot.

John Lobb’s bottom maker takes out a lasting nail, but he doesn’t throw it out on his apron or the floor. He grabs his tool and puts the nail on his workbench. It’s totally unnecessary. A waste of time, some might say. But it is a great testimony of his mindset. That little gesture explains where he’s at. That zone is something I call spirituality in shoemaking.

I see traces of similarities all over the place. It’s a comforting feeling to notice that such great makers as official World Champions use the same tricks and techniques as I do, even though I’ve come to those totally on my own. Craftsmanship is a thought process. It’s taking care of your product. I dare to say: it is an expression of love for your product. My pairs are like children to me.

This is why Ken Hishinuma use a masking tape over the gap between the upper and lining, while working on his toe puff. That’s because he cares, because he loves what he does. For years, I do the same thing. Only recently I’ve noticed that similarity in his process. Of course, it’s a practical thing. Probably many other shoemakers do the same. All I’m saying is - that’s the proof of love and care.

I’m very grateful for Kirby Allison’s bespoke shoemaking series. There’s so many great interviews or glimpses behind the curtains. You get to know about so many fantastic makers! From that perspective, the best material comes from Japan, though. Series from Ken Kataoka or Ken Hishinuma, features that unique ways of translating the work into pictures. Those are soothing, full of spirituality.

As humans, we like to watch how other people do their job. The more effortless and elegant seems the work, the more we love to watch it. If you care to listen to the stories of people that came from money or won some hefty amounts, you will find that lack of effort or obligation, quickly turns lives into hell of meaningless existence. Jim Carrey expressed that once nicely: “You need to experience that to understand that fame is not the answer”.

This is the way we were designed as humans. We need some kind of occupation that gives us a sense of goal to achieve. We need to strive for something in order to gain happiness in life. When that natural need meets your true passion for the job - that’s where the magic of satisfying lifestyle happens.