What “Authentic” Means in My Shop

“Authentic” gets thrown around a lot. In my shop, it’s simple: the piece you take home ought to feel like it could only have come from here—Texas woods, my hands, your home.

It starts with the wood — and that doesn’t always mean a board. Some of it comes from trees taken down by storms, property owners who wanted one gone, or trees I’ve cut down myself. That’s a whole process in itself: loading, hauling, and milling the logs, either on my bandsaw or a friend’s mill when the pieces are too big for me to handle alone. Once it’s cut into slabs, each one has to be stacked and weighted so it dries straight and true. Drying takes patience — sometimes a year or two — but it’s worth the wait. Other times, I “rescue” boards that were already milled long ago: reclaimed lumber from barns, houses, or even other woodworkers selling off their stock. Those boards still need work — de-nailing, planing, cleaning up — before they’re ready for a second life. However it comes to me, every piece of wood has to be earned before it ever becomes a project.

Whether it’s a board, bowl, or bench, the real work starts once the lumber’s ready. Most of what I make begins with glue-ups—joining boards so the grain lines complement each other and the piece has strength and balance. From there, it might head to the lathe for turning, the planer for truing, or the bench for shaping and sanding. Sometimes I’ll add a dowel or spline joint where it makes sense, but the goal is always the same: solid craftsmanship that doesn’t rely on shortcuts. You won’t find filler or fancy veneers here. What you’ll see—and feel—is real wood, worked by hand, built to last.

Finish comes next, and that’s where the wood truly comes alive. I use natural oils and hardwax blends that soak in deep and bring out color, grain, and texture without covering anything up. These finishes can be renewed easily at home with just a soft cloth and a little time—no stripping, spraying, or sanding needed. Whether it’s a charcuterie board, a whiskey topper, or a full-size table, each piece leaves the shop ready for everyday use. It’s meant to be touched, used, and handed down—not polished once and forgotten.

So when I say “authentic,” I’m promising this: real wood with a story, solid work, and finishes made to live with you, not just look good.

When the wood’s right and the work’s honest, the story takes care of itself.

Stay safe and be kind to everyone you meet.

—Will

P.S. Got an idea? Let’s start a conversation!