Contact - Jan Hendzel Studio

As a furniture maker you are dependent on a vast and varied skill set which encompasses an in-depth wood-working knowledge, quality-tooling and impeccable workmanship. We are continually refining our processes in pursuit of perfection.
Some tools are just far superior than others, and the Lie Nielsen’s Boggs Flat Spokeshave is an absolute pleasure to use. I’m not kidding, it’s incredible. A tool designed for fine, precise shaping of all woods. The mouth of these planes are very small. This is generally a good thing as it supports the wood being cut to virtually eliminate tear out. A real treat when working complex curves, and ideal for working endgrain.

Hugely satisfying to use as we tackle the unique forms of our latest project.
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#janhendzelstudio #craftmanship #joinery #details #workshop #process #lienielsen #spokeshave #furnituremaker #designer #handtools #woodworker #elm #endgrain #inpursuitofperfection @lienielsentoolworks

First project up on the bench and it’s an absolute beauty. You are looking at a staved curved table leg.

To smooth over the facets we are using a stanley tools 113 compass plane (a rarity in itself) which has an adjustable flexible sole which can be set to the required curvature to form a convex or a concave sole.

This was gifted to me from my Old Man. It’s a gem from his patternmaking days, back when everything was made by hand and before the advent of CNC. It is such a specific tool and such a joy to use. It’s the only way we can achieve a smooth finish on both convex and concave sides. I have taken the corners off the blade so it behaves more like a number 4 smoothing plane.
What I can tell you about our ‘Roubo’ is that by making use of a simple wedge and holdfast, it allows even the most complex of shapes to stand up to the vigours of hand planing.

We’ll be sharing what this curved section will become over the coming weeks.

#janhendzelstudio #workshop #pattermaker #heritage #cabinetmaker #craftmanship #bespoke #woodworker #furnituredesign #complex #joinery #details #rouboworkbench #roubo #workbench #handmade #holdfasts #stanley113 #stanleytools #stanleycompassplane image @notthatkindoffilm

Good job we have 4ft thick concrete floors as this newly constructed workbench is a weighty number. It’s constructed from an assortment of reclaimed timbers – legs from an unknown tropical timber used for gate posts, tail vise end and lower shelf from lock gate oak, the lower rails from beech, and the surface from maple. So heavy. It’ll far outlast me
Inspired by the designs of 18th Century cabinet maker, Andre-Jacob Roubo, we are calling this the prototype. We’ll see what works, what doesn’t, refine and adapt, and step by step replace the rowdy assembly of benches we currently have. The only thing you can be sure of is that they’ll get bigger, heavier and chunkier.
Things are changing. We are taking the time to look at how we work and what we love doing. As Roubo said, ‘the workbench is the first and most necessary of the wood-working tools.’ We get this right, then the rest will follow.

#janhendzelstudio #rocksolid #foundation #bespokefurniture #craftmanship #woodworker #furnituredesign #dovetail #joinery #rouboworkbench #benchcrafted #hardware #roubo #workbench #reclaimedwood #cabinetmaker #longevity image @notthatkindoffilm

It all starts with respectable foundations. We get that right and the rest will follow. For us well considered design and joinery means longevity.
We are changing the way we work, and how we work, and by taking a look at the humble workbench; the beginning point for many of our projects, we found that more often than not, it was ill-conceived and overlooked.
Shown is a selection of joints from our recent workbench build. We are calling this one our prototype bench. We are adapting a version of an 18th century Andre-jacob Roubo and will be looking to replace the rowdy assembly of current benches with the refined and fine-tuned Roubo.
As Roubo said, ‘the workbench is the first and most necessary of the wood-working tools.’ We get this right, then the rest will follow.

#janhendzelstudio #foundation #bespokefurniture #craftmanship #woodworker #furnituredesign #joinery #roubo #dovetail #workbench #rouboworkbench #benchcrafted #hardware #cabinetmaker #longevity image @notthatkindoffilm

Normally my feed is reserved for the work that my studio creates and for sharing it with the world. I feel like I’ve never had the need to change that until now. On seeing, hearing and reading about recent Black Lives Matter protests and having been with my partner for ten years who is black british, this is a movement that affects us. I want to address where I stand and how I can make changes.

The recent events have become a catalyst for a lot of conversation and honest truths between us, friends and family that acknowledge the differences between our lived experiences.
I have had a rude awakening to my own complicity in running a business that lacks diversity. I’m taking steps to educate myself and I plan on taking that information and learning into the way the studio evolves. I’ve been in the design/furniture industry for 15 years and operating as Jan Hendzel studio for 5. It’s a close knit world of makers, it’s predominantly white, and often due to the intensity of commercial projects – freelancers come into the business through word of mouth. This narrows down the pool of opportunity outside of this small world. We will look at ways to expand our reach.
Aside from diversifying the freelance pool, we see a way to make meaningful contributions at a grassroots level by going into schools and colleges – teaching, promoting our profession, and running workshops. And through building these channels, be in a position to offer an apprenticeship.

We are passionate about our craft and we will be part of the movement to level the playing field to increase black representation in the industry. This is not something that will happen overnight but I am committed to learning and making changes in my studio that I would hope would cause it’s own ripple effect.

Over the coming months we’d like to implement some of the ideas we have and will be calling upon our community to help us action some of these.

If you’re reading this and it resonates, or you have information that might assist with some of what we’ve outlined then please connect with us and share the love with others.
Image @littleyellow_yolk #princeofpeckham Circa 2018

#onelove #blacklivesmatter #ldnblm

How does it work?
The technical challenge for us lay in bringing the multiple elements together into a single form that was simultaneously light,robust and yet easily taken apart. We arrived at a system of octagonal uprights, jointed with through tenons into a ‘wing’ that snuggly slotted into a central base, held fast by dowels and hidden bolts.
The uprights are designed to be interchangeable – a modular system that means parts can be replaced, and the valets can be updated over time.
A constantly evolving piece of furniture. .
#birchmoments #hotelinterior #pattern #texture #interiordecor #furnituredesign #cabinetmaker #janhendzelstudio #reddeer #hotel #interior #sustainable #thinking #modularfurniture #joinery #detailing @birchcommunity @reddeer @charlottekidger @emmalouisepayne @lucie.naujalis image @fergus_coyle

Jan Hendzel studio was invited by Red deer architects to head the design and making of a suite of furniture as part of a mega collaboration for Birch hotel’s launch.
It was clear from the start that this was no ordinary commission. Red deer were keen to challenge the idea that uniformity was essential for large batch runs of furniture.
They also wanted to have fun. We feel they came to the right people!

Shown is one of @birchcommunity capsule valets. Shot within the contained space of a room, the various patterns creates an intense sensory experience. 👀 .
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#birchmoments #janhendzelstudio #hotelinterior #furniture #reddeer #interiordesign #patterndesign #surfacedesign #cabinetmaker #designer #valet #hoteldecor #sustainabledesign big love to all the #collaborateurs @reddeer @charlottekidger @lucie.naujalis @emmalouisepayne more to follow. #image @fergus_coyle