Tool Makers of Portland

[Alan DuBoff]

Was visiting Portland on business, so decided to take the time to meet both Steve Knight and Mike Wenzloff.

There was a spotting of Steve Knight's Pocket Infill (for better or worse of a name) in Porltand on Friday. What a cute and nice looking plane, not in it's complete state, but getting there.

Was good to meet Steve Knight, as it was to meet Mike Wenzloff, who was so kind to pick me up and drive me over to Steve's.

Mike was also kind to invite me to his house to see his shop, and show me saws, and my oh my, there was exotic hardwoods and tools hidden all over the house. Mike has some beautiful hardwoods to make handles with, and his saws are beautiful.

Nice to meet a couple of the toolmakers of our community.

I'm glad I can support them and buy tools from them. Unlike some others who seem to feel that there's no reason to support the tool makers of our day, and buy old tools because they're cheaper, I feel there is justice in supporting the tool makers of today so that these very tools will also be vintage one day.

Thanks to the folks that make woodworkig tools, without them we'd be a lot worse off.

[Deirdre Saoirse Moen]

Thanks for the trip report, Alan, I'm hoping to meet some of them when I'm up in a week for Boggs's class.

[Alan Turner]

I have family in Portland, as does my wife, and so we get there each year once or twice. I also met Mike, in May, and he and his wife were gracious hosts. Yes, the wood is hidden all over, and the saws are outstanding!
Also in Portland is Bridge City Tools, and it is the home of SawStop as well. Not bad for a single city.

[Tyler Howell]

No Pictures:confused:
Didn't happen:mad:
I still love those creeker visits.

[Doug Shepard]

I was going to mention Bridge City too. Someone on the Knots forum posted a link recently to this interview with John Economaki of BCT
http://www.handplane.com/archives/178.
It's pretty interesting but the first paragraph or so seems to be messed up with other html stuff from the web page.

[Bob Hallowell]

I have Tools from both and love them.

Bob

[Mike Wenzloff]

Twas a good visit with both Alan and Steve. Wish we would have also been able to get out to Dave Jeske's [Blue Spruce Toolworks http://www.bluesprucetoolworks.com/]...but at least I'm popping over there some time this next week :cool:

Well, back to work. Sorely behind [before Alan's visit ;)]

Take care, Mike

[C.R. Miller]

There's an interview with Steve Knight on Handplane Central too if anyone is interested
http://www.handplane.com/archives/173

Sorry you had troubles with the html, Doug. What browser/screen resolution are you using if you don't mind me asking?

[Mike Wenzloff]

Hi Cameron,

I too experience an issue in the main column of the interview at its beginnings. I don't know if it is the JS for invoking the Google ads directly, or whether it is a layer vs. table thing.

It displays fine if I close my favorites pane, but the Google ads overlay the text for the first portion if it is open.

Take care, Mike
ie 6, 1024 x 768 on a laptop...

[Alan DuBoff]

Twas a good visit with both Alan and Steve. Wish we would have also been able to get out to Dave Jeske's [Blue Spruce Toolworks http://www.bluesprucetoolworks.com/]...but at least I'm popping over there some time this next week :cool: Wow, after looking at Dave's website, I'm sorry I couldn't have made it to visit. Those tools look very nice indeed!

Support all the tool makers of our time, without them we'd all be wallowing around in the mud back in the boat shed, fettlin' up and refurbishing some old tools.

Well, back to work. Sorely behind [before Alan's visit ;)]I probably didn't help any, but appreciate all of your time, it's always a true joy to talk with Mike. Great meeting Steve, and Dave will have to get put on the list of places to visit in the future when I get up to Portland. Hopefully I'll be outside of Portland, I don't like the city at all, not anymore than I do any other downtown city.

[Alan DuBoff]

No Pictures:confused:
Didn't happen:mad:
I still love those creeker visits.Mike, Steve, help us out!

How about a pic of that Knight Pocket Infill Steve?

Or how about a pic of the pair of half backs, Mike?

I didn't take my camera, so you guys gotta help me out here! ;)