Henry's Cigar Tools -- "Apprentice" Status!!

[palm55]

FWIW... Those of you who have either used, or have followed the development of, Henry's Cigar Tools might get a quick hoot out of this.

I was down at Henry's place last night for a "herf-on-the-porch." After a couple of well-iced bourbons, he rose from his rocking chair and motioned for me to follow him back to his tool shed.

He clicked on the bare-bulb, illuminating his tool bench, a pot-belly stove, and a confusing array of old hand tools.

"Here's the steel!" he barked, pointing a pile of steel rod in the corner. "There's the handle stock!" he said, picking a few wooden handles out of a huge wire-mesh bin. "Up there's the glue... And Down there's the varnish... The drill is up there in the cabinet!" he said.

"You c'mon down tomorrow at 4... I'm 'gonna get you learned up on how to make a set of tools."

As we walked back to the porch, it occurred to me that Henry (in his own hateable/loveable way) had elevated me to the status of "apprentice." I have a couple of college degrees under my belt, perfunctory diplomas sitting in dusty frames on the office wall. But it's funny... For all the sweat it took to earn those degrees, they pale by comparison with the opportunity to make up a set of Henry's Tools!

I asked him "why" he wanted me to get involved. He said, "You're the one SELLING the God'dam tools! You damn well better know how they're made! 'Ya don't go out selling some poor sucker a car if 'ya don't know how to drive, do 'ya!!??"

And so... In a few hours, I'll be heading down to get "ejukated."

What a trip!!!

[luckybandit]

Cant wait for chapter two


bandit

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by luckybandit

Cant wait for chapter two


bandit

Nor can I. PM also sent.

[Baric]

Sounds great...keep us posted!

[palm55]

Originally Posted by Baric

Sounds great...keep us posted!

Baric,

I've enjoyed your posts immensely!! Henry's enjoyed the print-outs as well!!

Under Henry's critical eye, I actually assembled a set of his tools this evening! They look like crap, and they're going out to Dr. Stogie Fresh tomorrow (Sorry Doc, but I'm new at the "assembly" thing!).

Henry's resting tonight. He won't give me another batch of tool sets until they have another coat of varnish.

Henry's like that... Yeah, he is.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by palm55

Under Henry's critical eye, I actually assembled a set of his tools this evening! They look like crap, and they're going out to Dr. Stogie Fresh tomorrow (Sorry Doc, but I'm new at the "assembly" thing!).

Nothing but the best for Stogie Fresh.

I'm sure Henry wouldn't let a set of dogs leave his shop. Besides, I have reason to believe you are being a bit too modest.

I don't care if they look like a turd, as long as they unplug a plugged stogie.

Doc

[Old Sailor]

Henry must think you have something on the know, reminds me of a chap from my early years.....also, keep us posted, Thanks....

[palm55]

I made up three sets while Henry was in the hospital... He came home, inspected them, and promptly trashed two sets.

"Bad handles," he grumbled.

We went fishing the next morning. We filleted a mess of bluegill, stuffed ourselves, and went back to the work shed. He steered me right on how to center the drill bit.

We had a cigar afterwords, and all was right with the world.

We'll have a cigar tomorrow night, and all will be right with the world (unless I screw up in the work shed).