Why there are no fine woodworkers in Iraq

[dave barnhart]

There are a number of reasons I cannot find any fine woodworking brethren in Iraq, but I think this picture sums it up.

[John Gornall]

If you saw into one of those trees what's inside? Perhaps the bend would make interesting turning.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Looks like a opportunity to use an epoxy cocktail!

[Glenn Clabo]

Dave...if you and I walked past this tree...I'd have something to say that is not appropriate for this family forum.

(p.s.- From a parent of one who visits the sandbox...thank you)

[Nelson Bradley]

It's even more disturbing when you have to cross a large canal with 90 pounds of gear on a bridge made from that tree. That being said, I never saw any true craftsmanship when I was there... well, aside from IED's

Stay Safe.

[Bill Brehme]

If you saw into one of those trees what's inside?

I imagine it would look like the inside of a tomatoe.

[Jameel Abraham]

It's even more disturbing when you have to cross a large canal with 90 pounds of gear on a bridge made from that tree. That being said, I never saw any true craftsmanship when I was there... well, aside from IED's

Stay Safe.

Here is a true craftsman (actually several) at work in Iraq. He's a lute-maker. I think his work is beautiful.

[Bob Childress]

Which just reinforces what I have always thought. If all the true WWers of the world could get together, that would be the end of the nonsense. But so far, no one will allow it. And so it goes.

[Jameel Abraham]

Can you imagine something so nice coming out of such a messy shop?

Reminds me of an article from Fine Woodworking showing the work of craftsmen from I think Yemen or the UAE. They were producing elegant carved work with #4 bench planes and other tools that are not usually associated with certain uses. I don't have that issue anymore but it was interesting.

[Randal Stevenson]

Isn't that the wood they used to make bows out of? U (yew)

[Dewayne Reding]

IMO craftmanship was rare in any trade in the region. This is the same place where people run electricity straight off the pole and into the house. We don't need no stinkin fuse panel.

[Gary Keedwell]

Here is a true craftsman (actually several) at work in Iraq. He's a lute-maker. I think his work is beautiful.

Did I see a Festool on the shelf in the back?
Gary

[Bill Brehme]

Did I see a Festool on the shelf in the back?
Gary

Yep, that lute is Dominoed together!

Either that or the Festool images are still burned in the back of my orbital lobe from staring at the ads...

[John Renzetti]

Hi Dave, I'm sure there's still some craftsmen hidden away in the region, turning out products like Jameel pointed out. Years ago when I was working in West Africa I was amazed at the stuff some of these guys could produce with very rudimentary tools. Everything just took a lot longer.
Keep your head down.
take care,
John (also in the sandbox)

[Jim Andrew]

Thank you veterans for your service. Jim