Perhaps "challenge" is an overstatement, but here's the full story.
Some of you may be familiar with Phil Greene and his business, Wood Song Canoes. (https://www.facebook.com/p/Wood-Song-Canoes-61576604926737/) Phil builds very high end, custom furniture as well as over the top canoes and canoe paddles. Phil has built canoes that are literally works of art. Canoes that have sold for tens of thousands of dollars and paddles that sell for several thousand dollars. One of his canoes and a selection of his paddles are on display at the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro SC. If you are passing through Walterboro, on I 95 it is worth a stop. The Artisan Center is just a short drive off the exit.
Over the past several years I've communicated with Phil and last year I finally paid him a visit. I was completely underwhelmed by his shop and equally overwhelmed by his craftsmanship. Phil was a gracious host. We spent time touring his shop and I stayed overnight in my camper. His wife served up a delicious dinner. This past spring I made a repeat visit and during that visit Phil suggested that we each build a paddle for the other. He wasn't at all making a challenge. He was really making a compliment, indicating that he'd really like one of my paddles. I look forward to displaying one of his, in my living room.
A couple of weeks ago I began building Phil's paddle. Phil expects to begin mine, after the 1st of the year. He requested dark cedar for the blade with ash accents/reinforcements. I have an ongoing thread about the build on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/marc.ornstein). Below are some photos from the build, thus far.
Some of you may be familiar with Phil Greene and his business, Wood Song Canoes. (https://www.facebook.com/p/Wood-Song-Canoes-61576604926737/) Phil builds very high end, custom furniture as well as over the top canoes and canoe paddles. Phil has built canoes that are literally works of art. Canoes that have sold for tens of thousands of dollars and paddles that sell for several thousand dollars. One of his canoes and a selection of his paddles are on display at the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro SC. If you are passing through Walterboro, on I 95 it is worth a stop. The Artisan Center is just a short drive off the exit.
Over the past several years I've communicated with Phil and last year I finally paid him a visit. I was completely underwhelmed by his shop and equally overwhelmed by his craftsmanship. Phil was a gracious host. We spent time touring his shop and I stayed overnight in my camper. His wife served up a delicious dinner. This past spring I made a repeat visit and during that visit Phil suggested that we each build a paddle for the other. He wasn't at all making a challenge. He was really making a compliment, indicating that he'd really like one of my paddles. I look forward to displaying one of his, in my living room.
A couple of weeks ago I began building Phil's paddle. Phil expects to begin mine, after the 1st of the year. He requested dark cedar for the blade with ash accents/reinforcements. I have an ongoing thread about the build on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/marc.ornstein). Below are some photos from the build, thus far.
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