Is Norm Abram a Master Carpenter?
Well, we all know he’s a highly influential carpenter… He ranked #1 in our poll of 3 forums (see ToolCrib.com’s Guide to Your 31 Most Influential Woodworkers). But is he really a master carpenter?
This is the question that a newbie Woodnetter posted. There are 99 responses, and right off the bat one WoodNet member posted a little icon of a smiley-guy eating a bag of popcorn. That’s my feeling exactly about a post like this - grab some snacks, this is going to be entertaining! 
I counted up the results for you - some yeses were implied more than written as yes, so you’ll have to take my word for count accuracy here 
WoodNet’s Opinion: is Norm Abram a Master Carpenter?
Yes: 21
No: 10
Some folks, in the “Yes” camp, linked to this bonnet-topped Queen Anne-legged tiger maple highboy Norm reproduced…
Woodnetter Quotes that Made Me Go “hmm… Good Point”:
The show is designed and presented for novice woodworkers, and serves that market quite well. His projects are meant for wide appeal, if he were to build a reproduction piece like the type I favor doing, it would be a pretty long and often tedious show. It would also be well out of the ability level of the target audience.
From what I’ve observed; Norm is a high level general carpenter and mid level furniture maker. He may be a better furniture maker than the show allows.
In teaching, a Master Teacher is someone qualified to teach other teachers. Following that definition, I would say that Norm Abram is definitely a Master Woodworker.
Whether or not he is a “master” is an exercise in semantics.
There are many people out there who have as much or more technical/artistic ability as Norm, but only he and a very few others have been successful at doing it in front of a camera. That takes more than the ability to do good woodworking/carpentry, which is what sets him(and those few others) apart.
So there you have it folks, conclusive evidence that Norm Abram is a master woodworker If you have opinions, I’d love to hear them.
And of course, visit the post for some fun and interesting debate: Would you consider Norm Abram from NYW a master woodworker?
Additional Resources:
Birth of NYW: Yankee’s Shop True to Name
ToolCrib.com’s Guide to Your 31 Most Influential Woodworkers
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Bob Enderle Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Yes, Norm is a master carpenter.
Lorin Brown Says:
February 28th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Since the term “Master Carpenter” was actually developed for his early days on This Old House to give Norm some since of status in his occupation, I would definitely say YES.
Brock Says:
February 28th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Norm is a master carpenter in my book, I would be honored to be his apprentice, or even just meet him!
steve Says:
February 28th, 2008 at 10:36 am
He has the tools. I’m sure there may be someone coaching him, and it is a tv show/production with limitless resources.
Morash/PBS foots the bill with the help of Ad $$$.
But like someone said he’s limited by the what can be shown during 1-2 weekly, 1/2 hr. shows that are only 20 min. each.
You can’t tell from the replay angles, right John
johnny hiimburg Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I think Norm is truly a master carpenter you can tell by way that he uses more that just the big high dollar tools he uses to that the average guy with a small shop would and still turnes out some amazing project.You can tell by the way that he works that he know exactly what he doing and I don’t think that he needs any help or needs to be coach along.He defindly know that he doing.He also has a great shop.
Donald Miller Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I think Norm is a really good carpenter. I have watched him for years on This Old House & New Yankee Workshop and he definitely knows what he’s doing. He has inspired me to start up my own little shop & do woodworking. He has many power tools and hand tools & he knows how to use them properly.
tony Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I WACTH NORM EVERY WEEK I ABMIRE HIS WORK
ON YANKEE WORKSHOP AND HE IS A MASTER CARPENTER
Bob Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Years ago I built sets for stage productions and the position was always referred to as Master Carpenter in the credits, regardless of the training of the person in that position. For this reason alone he is entitled to that designation but his skill also qualifies him.