One of my proudest days were the days I built my deck and my shed. My Estwing was a bad ass. I threw it out of anger many times… but it was always there when I needed it. I should probably name him, “The Enabler” because it stays by my side even when I lose It and chuck across the yard.
I’ve never thought to name my favorite tool. So, I’ll do it now. But I’m not gonna name it that. I’m gonna name it, “Chuck”.
My question is an extension of this tool talk. I suspect that you perhaps even to a more extreme end, feel as many of us do, that as we find ourselves more able to acquire incredible tools/materials, we are often less often able to wield them due to time and energy constraints. Knowing the story of how the Offerman Woodshop collectivecame to be, you've obviously attempted to address this. Are there any particular tools that excite your "wants" but can not justify due to Midwest sensibilities or feeling they should see use you can't provide and would be simply part of a collection? (Is amassing unused tools an inherently evil act?) Any call to action for muleteers on this front?
Boom Boom is the appropriate name for anything that brings excitement to a Man's heart. What a Man's chooses to name 'Boom Boom' reveals a Man's character, for where his Boom Boom is, there will his heart be also...
I think the Corb Lund song, Hard on Equipment (Tool For the Job) was written for me ... nothing I cobble together comes out square. John from St. Paul -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwGrC0KicSo
Hi Nick, I have an ethical question that's been plaguing me for some time. I grew up on my parent's 20-acre spread in NE Missouri and my father passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago. He was quite literally the guy who planted a field of pecan trees on the land about 20 years ago with the knowledge that he would never see them bear more than a bit of fruit but did so because someday, someone (person or animal) would appreciate it, so he was certainly a conservationist. My mother is leaving the family plot to be closer to my brother and I soon, and so we will be selling the land to someone lucky here in the next few months. On the land, there is, what I would guess to be an 150-year old black oak tree that I have always loved. So much so that I had always intended on slabbing it up and making tables/furniture for my brothers and children someday when the old girl passed on as a way to remember the land which helped raise me. Now waiting will not be an option for me. In your opinion, is it ethical to cut down a seemingly healthy tree, particularly one as beautiful as this, if we plan to harvest the wood in such a way that would honor the tree and land, and if so, what kind of penance would be appropriate?
I really don't have anything to offer on the ethics of this question, but this is really a great one Chase. The fact that you are asking the right questions, makes me think you will arrive at the right answers. On the whole it reminds me of a quote from the incredible novel "The Overstory" by Richard Powers (fellow Midwesterner & UIUC professor emeritus) “What you make from a tree should be at least as miraculous as what you cut down.”
Hello Chase! Like you I grew up under a beautiful old Oak tree. It was a White Oak, also know as a Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and it was massive. It's trunk was over 7' in diameter. Sadly it developed severe Oak root fungus over the years and because the canopy spread across three houses the city determined it needed to come down. Turned out she was over 325 years old. I had several pieces slabbed. But I can tell you I still mourn the beauty she once was and if given the choice I would have let her grow. But I do get it. I'm a bit of a tree hugger. In retrospect, I wish I had a professional photo of the tree that I could fame and hang in my office to remember her by. Anyway, that's my thoughts. Best of luck to you!
Wait - you're friends with Don Draper?! Man, I've always thought you were kinda cool, but Shirley I've underestimated your level of dope to afford yourself such an acquaintance.
Pardon my obvious misspelling. It's a consistent nod I make to one of the greatest comedies of my time.
One of my proudest days were the days I built my deck and my shed. My Estwing was a bad ass. I threw it out of anger many times… but it was always there when I needed it. I should probably name him, “The Enabler” because it stays by my side even when I lose It and chuck across the yard.
I’ve never thought to name my favorite tool. So, I’ll do it now. But I’m not gonna name it that. I’m gonna name it, “Chuck”.
My question is an extension of this tool talk. I suspect that you perhaps even to a more extreme end, feel as many of us do, that as we find ourselves more able to acquire incredible tools/materials, we are often less often able to wield them due to time and energy constraints. Knowing the story of how the Offerman Woodshop collectivecame to be, you've obviously attempted to address this. Are there any particular tools that excite your "wants" but can not justify due to Midwest sensibilities or feeling they should see use you can't provide and would be simply part of a collection? (Is amassing unused tools an inherently evil act?) Any call to action for muleteers on this front?
Boom Boom is the appropriate name for anything that brings excitement to a Man's heart. What a Man's chooses to name 'Boom Boom' reveals a Man's character, for where his Boom Boom is, there will his heart be also...
I think the Corb Lund song, Hard on Equipment (Tool For the Job) was written for me ... nothing I cobble together comes out square. John from St. Paul -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwGrC0KicSo
Hi Nick, I have an ethical question that's been plaguing me for some time. I grew up on my parent's 20-acre spread in NE Missouri and my father passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago. He was quite literally the guy who planted a field of pecan trees on the land about 20 years ago with the knowledge that he would never see them bear more than a bit of fruit but did so because someday, someone (person or animal) would appreciate it, so he was certainly a conservationist. My mother is leaving the family plot to be closer to my brother and I soon, and so we will be selling the land to someone lucky here in the next few months. On the land, there is, what I would guess to be an 150-year old black oak tree that I have always loved. So much so that I had always intended on slabbing it up and making tables/furniture for my brothers and children someday when the old girl passed on as a way to remember the land which helped raise me. Now waiting will not be an option for me. In your opinion, is it ethical to cut down a seemingly healthy tree, particularly one as beautiful as this, if we plan to harvest the wood in such a way that would honor the tree and land, and if so, what kind of penance would be appropriate?
Thanks so much,
Chase in Missouri
I really don't have anything to offer on the ethics of this question, but this is really a great one Chase. The fact that you are asking the right questions, makes me think you will arrive at the right answers. On the whole it reminds me of a quote from the incredible novel "The Overstory" by Richard Powers (fellow Midwesterner & UIUC professor emeritus) “What you make from a tree should be at least as miraculous as what you cut down.”
Hello Chase! Like you I grew up under a beautiful old Oak tree. It was a White Oak, also know as a Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and it was massive. It's trunk was over 7' in diameter. Sadly it developed severe Oak root fungus over the years and because the canopy spread across three houses the city determined it needed to come down. Turned out she was over 325 years old. I had several pieces slabbed. But I can tell you I still mourn the beauty she once was and if given the choice I would have let her grow. But I do get it. I'm a bit of a tree hugger. In retrospect, I wish I had a professional photo of the tree that I could fame and hang in my office to remember her by. Anyway, that's my thoughts. Best of luck to you!
Glad Boom-Boom got to make a cameo appearance!
Wait - you're friends with Don Draper?! Man, I've always thought you were kinda cool, but Shirley I've underestimated your level of dope to afford yourself such an acquaintance.
Pardon my obvious misspelling. It's a consistent nod I make to one of the greatest comedies of my time.
Joshua
Orlando, FL. by way of Round Rock, TX
Hi Nick!
If you could paint, what would be your style and what would be your subject?
Happy Thursday!
Sydney from Colorado