JEAN-FRANCOIS RAFFIN; THE CHOSEN ONE

As I have often told you, at the French Bow School, the headmaster has the delicate duty to select his successor. And yet again we must congratulate M° Bernard Millant; in this case for choosing one of the most magnificent talents of contemporary bow making; Master Jean Francois Raffin.

Jean Francois Raffin

In this profession, talent is not only classified by the constructional capacity of the craftsman himself, but has indeed several other aspects. Other than the pieces photographed in his book l'Archet, I, myself have never had the pleasure to see a bow made by the Master Raffin.

Looking at the photos it seems to me that the bows have been crafted perfectly, but I cannot express any opinion on the craftsman because it goes beyond a simple photo. However, I have had the pleasure to meet him personally and to understand his talent and know how great it is.

M° Raffin has a visual capacity and a memory that I have never encountered in any other colleague. Remembering chamfers, throats, visual defects, etc., of every single bow maker in France, as well as recognizing the bows instantly, I assure you is not to be overseen.????

When someone presents a bow to me, I always feel a slight chill down my spine, which often turns into satisfaction when I am enlightened with the knowledge of who made the bow, other times in dismay when my memory tricks me.

It happened to me not long ago at a convention. I was looking at a bow, I knew that I had seen  before, but I just couldn't think of where. When told, I was very embarrassed. It was a very rare piece from the earliest period of Sartory; the Hoyer period to be exact.

During the three days at the convention, I had recognized every single piece shown to me and then I failed when it came to Sartory.

What had happened to me, would never happen to M° Raffin surely because of his experience and talent; in front of every certificate he understands exactly what the thoughts were behind it and why it was written the way it was written.

The last pupil of the old bow school in Mirecourt, Jean-Francois Raffin was born in Paris on the 20th of May 1947 by Maurice and Henriette Bourdier. After finishing his studies and serving his military duties, he entered the world of instruments at the workshop Hilaire-Apparut led by Jean Eulry.

When he returned to Mirecourt in 1968, the economic depression had cut down drastic the numbers of workshops. Still, he found work in one of the few ones left. Here he was educated the old fashion way; ten hours a day “without a word”, as described in his book.

He was one of the first students to graduate in 1971 along with his friend Philippe Bodart, at the new National School of Bow making.

1971 was also the year he married Bernadette Antoine, with whom he has two children: Sandrine, who kept up the profession of her father, and Nicolas.

From '71 to '72 he assisted M° Etienne Vatelot, and just a few months later he had the most important  meeting of his life.

In 1972 he became the assistant and right hand to M° Bernard Millant and that he remained for seventeen years. Working with M° Bernard Millant, he had the possibility to watch, to learn and to understand all the tricks of the French Bow School.

In 1977 he received the ”Prix de la Couronne” and in 1979 he won the silver medal as ”Best craftsman of France”.

In 1989 he left M° Millant to open his own workshop, though very close to his Master, in 68, Rue de Rome, and from 1996 he was to be ”Expert at the Court of Appeal” in Paris.

In the ten years to come from the year 2000, he specialized in restoration as well as the drafting of the most complete text ever dedicated to bows: ”l'Archet” in collaboration with M° Millant and M° Le Canu.

After publishing the book, his carrier took a turn up. In 2004, he attend as a member of the commission at the ”Etienne Vatelot” competition in Paris and was invited to hold lectures all over the world.

With this talent, his certificates are accepted everywhere. He is now approaching retirement and thus it is his turn to find and select his successor as headmaster to the French Bow School.

Some names have come up although nothing is certain. Unfortunately my name is not on the list. When I asked if I could become his pupil, he was sorry but firm: ”I carry the future of the French Bow School on my shoulders, and albeit you have an uncommon talent and is well prepared, you are not french”.

If you want to deepen this topic:

EUGENE NICOLAS SARTORY; THE VELOCIRAPTOR 

So long

Paolo.