Ed,

Believe it or not, I learned the words “bricoleur” and “bricolage” right here on
the Porch!

I will return the compliment by saying that I like your “bon mot.”
> Veni, Vidi, Velcro  -  I came, I saw, I stuck around

We should all take a lesson from Scott.  Don’t make yourself sad by wishing you
could buy some “Nakashima-worthy” wood that you can’t afford.  Look around you,
at the broken sledge handles, the pallets, the firewood pile, tree trimmings,
etc.

Recall some of Scott’s rehabilitations of Perfect Handle screwdrivers using
“wild” wood.  Recall The Old Millrat’s nicely-made chisel handles.

Any old branch section can be a file handle that might save you from a painful
tang-stab.

One of the handsomest plane totes I ever saw was carved out of a junction
between two tree limbs.  The grain flowed beautifully around the piece; there
was no cross-grain on any part. And, this was a replacement on a Bailey!

Yesterday, I encountered a fellow with a beautiful walking cane made from a tree
limb.

Don’t lament lack of project wood; scrounge it! 

John Ruth
“Some people see things as the are, and ask ‘Why?’ 
I see things as they could be, and say ‘Hi! How’s it going?’ “