(not my pic, but the seller's)

My little Dorset loom gets the vast majority of email questions, and I'm going to start answering them here also, in the hopes that the surprising number of loom researchers and hopeful weavers can find what they're looking for more easily.

The latest asks particularly (I paraphrase, the reference is to the blog post where I got to try out an Oxaback loom):

 Did you ever go to Vavstuga for a weaving workshop?

I am getting interested in learning to weave, and still choosing a loom.  Many people want me to get a jack loom as opposed to a counterbalance.

Is it totally intimidating to learn to dress and weave on a Swedish loom? Or is it perfectly doable, with a good teacher? (This seems to be a common concern, trolling the weaving blogosphere.)

My response is as follows:
Thanks for writing and all the kind words! I'm not sure I can be much help, honestly, as I'm barely ahead of you, really.
My impression, gathered from the weaving group, and from places like WeaveZine/WeaveCast, is that a jack loom distorts the warp somewhat by pushing up the warp threads, whereas a countermarche pulls some threads down and some threads up, so it's the least stressing of the loom mechanisms.
My experience, from weaving on that loom, is that it's incredibly smooth to use. My jack Dorset, 24" wide, four harnesses, four treadles, string heddles, is less so. I don't understand why people would send you to a jack…though it's widely recommended for other advantages that may have to do with size, its liveability as a piece of furniture, and warping ability.
You are incredibly lucky to be so close to Vavstuga…I have not been, though it is on my life list. They will be able to answer your questions.
My floor loom is similar to a Baby Wolf, made by Schacht. Schacht bought Dorset some years ago, and my loom was purchased from the weaver daughter of a deceased weaver. If you google Dorset loom, you'll probably find my entries on it, as people find me via that search often.
It's what I need to have – I do so many non-weaving things, and I take stuff with me to public demos, that a smallish, folding, portable loom serves me well. If it had six harnesses instead of four, I could do more…but then again, four does an awful lot, and I'm sure I will give up weaving before I exhaust it. Now, as far as other looms, I would like a freestanding warp-weighted one….but that's especially for my historical re-creation of Migration Period Britain…and a two-beam tapestry one…for both Navajo rug weaving, and for Roman-era fine-gauge sheers.
I know these things can be intimidating, and I think it helps to realize that there is a power in naivete…I boldly and foolishly go where many wiser minds fear to tread, and I end up with experience, and equipment, and projects. (Sometimes they follow me!) If it speaks to you, jump in! All you're going to lose is money and time, but you'll gain memories and wisdom, and that's all we get at the end of our days.

Good luck, and happy weaving!

~Greet

Edit: When hunting for pictures that were not mine, I found this nice comparison of jack vs. countermarche.