A unique experience.

[squbrigg]

Looking at the first walking stick by Lindy made me think of something I thought I'd share with you. Something sad, something happy, something inspiring, something generous and a learning experience , all rolled into one.

I recieved a phone call and then a visit from a lady who lives in the area, summers mostly, but has been a resident off and on all her life. Her husband is back in their permanant residance in Ohio,and was unable to make the trip back to New Brunswick this year. He had been injured years ago and been getting worse, is more disabled and is back and forth to the VA hospital, and they didn't want him to travel this year. He's a woodworker! They are having to face the fact that he will never be able to work his wood again, so she is cleaning out his shop here, for him.

As he is a fan of WCI, he had read the article that I had done on carving the half model and they deceided that it might be a good idea to offer me some of his wood scraps, seeing as I use such small pieces in my models. I was more than happy to accept them and she arrived at the house with several boxes of woodends. What wood!!! He worked mostly in exotic hardwoods.....Ebony, Bubinga, Yellowheart, African Zebrawood, and a host of others too numerous to recall. There were also lots of native species....Walnut, Birds Eye Maple, Spalded Maple, Ash, Beech, Mesquite, small burl slabs, etc....! Most pieces are small and marked as to species and there are a few larger pieces ( a foot or two long maybe). Quite a variety of woods and some were "test" finished. Wow....and what a finish! I was astounded!

We was invited to visit her , which we did on Sunday, I was curious to see what type of woodworking this gentleman had done of course, and am so glad I did. His finishes are incredable! He makes a lot of walking sticks, canes and hiking staffs, all by using only basic hand tools. His carving work is limited, simple, stylized and yet natural, but his woodworking is "amaizing". The depth of his finishes was what struck me, that and the woods themselves. I asked what his secret was, and she couldn't tell me, so she picked up the phone and called him, and I spent the next half hour in conversation with one of the nicest and most knowledgable woodworkers I've ever had the pleasure of talking to.

Hard work and sandpaper were his secrets.....lots of elbow grease and sandpaper I'd never heard of, a sanding "film" imported by JapanWoodworking for American and Canadian woodworkers, in grits from 2500 to 9000. The best cloth I could find here was 600, So guess what I ordered Monday online! He achieves his hex-shaped shafts by hand saw and rasp, and a good eye. They are perfectly straight, not a flaw and the wood has a depth that a furnature maker would drool over!

The kindness and generosity of strangers, especially woodworkers and carvers, never ceases to amaize me! They are unique in the human species! Thank you Mort and Mrs Reiger , I will try to do your wood proud! Smile

Bob

[Colin-Partridge]

Nice story Bob not only do you have some prize wood and a weatlh of knowledge but also now you have a new friend. Good things come to those who wait.
Colin

[Blake Lunsford]

Great story Bob! That's the great thing about wood creations. It gives you something to help remember all of the great people and experiences that we come in contact with. I'm sure you will more than do them proud with your creations!

Blake

[Callynne]

What a great story Bob, thanks for sharing it with us. I hate to think of the day I can't carve, but it's something that will happen to all of us eventually. I hope I will be as gracious as the Reigers when that day comes! Thanks again for sharing their story with us! Deborah

[Canopener]

Wow; what a story. Two great gifts in one; plus you will have a good memory everytime you use a piece of that wood.
Jim

[Kenny_S]

How charming.
Ya see Bob, you affect people!
Hmmm, that didn't sound right!
OK, you made an impression on them! Dang, that can be taken two different ways.
Alright, Jolly good story ol mate and you are worthy of receiving the gifts. I do hope ol chap, you said thanks you!

Really, Bob, very charming story and toreceive that gift of wood was a sign of love they had for your talents.
Outstanding.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Maybe Bob, you can get Mort to sign on here.....sounds like lots of years of practicable experience would be of great help to many here, including me lol

[wade clark]

Bob,
Congratulations! You deserve such a nice gift, and you'll do it and them justice!
A few years ago I was given a deck plank off a tall ship. It's redwood, about 3" by 10" by 60", covered in old tar on one side. The man that gave it to me was a local policeman who died a couple years later. He got it from his great (maybe great great) uncle who helped overhaul the tall ship pre-1900, in Port St. Joe, FL. It's a prize I hope to carve a ship scene in someday, One of my most prized pieces of wood!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Wade, you need to carve the ship the plank is from...that would be terrific!Snorkel