frequently asked questions
I interact with hundreds of people at each of my Canoe Camps! As you can imagine, I hear similar questions over and over, again. Here are a few, in case you are curious...
IS THAT HOW THEY USED TO DO IT?
They who? Lewis & Clark? Native Americans? Which ones? WHEN? This is a very vague question.
Most of my projects are done with hand tools. To date, I rarely use a chainsaw. That said, ALL of the carvers I know use modern tools. That's right, even my Native family. Using the best tool available to make the best canoe possible is smart. I prefer a grinder to help finish the canoe, and use it when I like. Of course, if you want to put special parameters on the project, please see the "Custom Canoes" page, here. Otherwise, I do what's best for the canoe... without limitations!
Most of my projects are done with hand tools. To date, I rarely use a chainsaw. That said, ALL of the carvers I know use modern tools. That's right, even my Native family. Using the best tool available to make the best canoe possible is smart. I prefer a grinder to help finish the canoe, and use it when I like. Of course, if you want to put special parameters on the project, please see the "Custom Canoes" page, here. Otherwise, I do what's best for the canoe... without limitations!
DID YOU BURN IT OUT?
Good question! Some trees, traditionally, were burned-out, saving weeks of chopping labor. Not all of them. Pine and cedar are good woods for this, yet cottonwood is not. They react differently to fire, and have less pitch. Cottonwoods check very easily, and the fire would likely compound this problem. That said, you can CARVE any tree you work with! I love my adze!
WILL IT FLOAT?
Believe it or not, I hear this one almost daily! Of course it will! It's a tree! Sometimes they float right to me, washing-up on the beach, for instance. I'm sure this is what sparked the first canoe-carver, thousands of years ago!
DO YOU SEAL IT WITH ANYTHING?
Yes! I use linseed oil liberally throughout the carving process, and in the finished product. Sometimes, I'll add a layer or three of oil-based marine spar varnish OVER the oil. The varnish seals it better, particularly if it will be OUT of the water for extended periods, such as in a museum display. I don't like to paint the canoes, preferring to let the beauty of the wood grain to shine-through.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Ha! The "million-dollar question!" In all honesty, it varies. A lot. My current project is marking it's first ANNIVERSARY in this camp... and we're not done, yet! (two canoes) With a steady crew of choppers, things move faster. I believe two months is a good estimate, using this scenario. That said, I've rarely had that luxury. Though I get help, from time to time, I generally do most of the work.
If you allow the use of modern tools, such as the "dreaded chainsaw", I believe you could do it in a month. I haven't gone this route yet, but may start doing it. Again, it's smart! I do, however, love sharing the experience of carving, and more people get to carve if I leave the chainsaw out of the mix.
If you allow the use of modern tools, such as the "dreaded chainsaw", I believe you could do it in a month. I haven't gone this route yet, but may start doing it. Again, it's smart! I do, however, love sharing the experience of carving, and more people get to carve if I leave the chainsaw out of the mix.
will you actually put it on the river?
LOL... Yes! No, it's not a "test float!" I put the canoe in, load it, and paddle into a new adventure! The river, the tree, and I dance together, and the tree becomes the canoe it was meant to be! This is one of the most exciting parts of my LIFE, every time! These are for "GO", not just "show"!!!
