There was a time when joinery was what held wood together for buildings, boats, furniture and much more. And the point was the complete piece was the focus, the goal, rather than the hard won skills and processes entailed in making it. Those who created then and create now generally have no need to showcase techniques passed on over centuries.
The industrial revolution and its huge capacity for machine mass produced items sparked a reaction expressed in the celebration of the handmade, of human skills. Ever since then, visible joinery has remained for many as a mark of ‘real old fashioned woodwork skill’, even though it now routinely includes the use of machines.
There is an admittedly irrational satisfaction in employing woodworking hand skills that will not be seen when shortcuts, such as table
