From Whiskey Barrel to Woodshop: Giving Old Oak a Second Life
A used whiskey barrel stave already has a story before it reaches my shop. From its charred surface and curved shape to the unmistakable smell when it’s cut, see how I turn old barrel oak into something useful again.
What You Don’t See in the Finished Product: Mistakes, Lessons, and Starting Over
The finished product is only part of the story. Behind every BourbonSmoke piece are mistakes, wasted materials, lessons learned, and the occasional decision to start over. Here’s a look at what you don’t see in the finished product—and how those mistakes have made me a better woodworker.
Why Your Handmade Wood Product Won't Look Exactly Like the Picture
No two pieces of real wood are exactly alike—and that’s part of what makes handmade special. From grain and color to the surprises revealed during cutting and finishing, discover why every BourbonSmoke Woodworking piece has its own character.
From an Idea to the Shop: How a BourbonSmoke Product Comes to Life
A product doesn’t always start with a detailed plan. See how inspiration, a handful of spent .45 ACP casings, and some experimentation in the shop turned an idea into one of BourbonSmoke Woodworking’s newest handmade pens.
What Makes a Handmade Product Worth Buying?
Behind every handmade piece is a maker who cares about getting the details right. Here I’m standing behind one of the largest projects I’ve made—a custom American flag coin holder that represents exactly why I love building things by hand.