Here is a IPE wood staff. This staff stands 72" tall and has a 5" offset sweep at the handle. The Ipe wood shaft is a reclaimed wood that was a fishing dock in the Florida Keys for 21 years them removed and stacked for another 12 years. A stainless steel tip on the bottom finishes it off. This end can be trimmed to shorten the cane to your specifications. No two will be alike. Want it bigger, thicker, Two piece for traveling, different woods…? Let me quote a custom staff for you… IPE is rated as very durable; excellent insect resistance, though some species are susceptible to marine borers. Superb weathering characteristics. (Ipe was used for the boardwalk along the beach of New York City's Coney Island, and was said to have lasted 25 years before it needed to be replaced: an amazing lifespan given the amount of traffic and environmental stresses put upon the wood.) Ipe is a wood of extremes: extremely dense and durable, as well as extremely difficult to work. Its incredible hardness and strength make it well suited for flooring applications, though it is referred to as "Brazilian Walnut" among flooring dealers—though it is not related to true Walnut in the Juglans genus. I make Exotic wood slab and live edge items right here in South Florida from native trees we have harvested and aged for years. Available exotic woods are Florida Live Oak, Cuban Mahogany, Ipe, Albizia, Tamarind, Rosewood, Lysiloma, Florida Cherry, Carrotwood, Tropical Almond and many more. E-Mail for wood sample pic's. Custom pieces can be commissioned and built to your specifications, sizes and colors. You can choose the type of exotic woods and the finishes. You can even pick out the exact slabs we use to produce your piece at the sawmill during the milling process. Dining room tables, side bars, benches, coffee tables, chairs, bookshelf units, wall units, wall mounted shelves, custom made picture frames, kitchen & bath countertops can all be custom built for you out of exotic woods. One-of-a-kind pieces of wood art with or without live edges is our specialty. If you can imagine it . . .we can build it. Thx. Dave Sutton
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
My name is Dave Sutton.
Retiring after fifteen years of being a professional flats guide here in South Florida due to the 2009 recession and the gulf oil spill.
I then worked at home for Hotel Vanities International and have a small, but very well equipped wood shop in the back yard.
I have now moved to the mountains of Murphy, North Carolina and am in the process of building my retirement home and new workshop.
For almost 40 years I have given my very best effort to create heirloom quality pieces for every one of my customers that will last a lifetime.
Almost 4 decades of wood crafting has taught me one thing. If I want it done just right…
I have to do it myself.
If I don't like it, you won't see it. It's that simple.
I am the designer, craftsman and woodworker,
I pick the log and the slabs, I do the shaping and all the sanding. All of the assembly and fitting ??? Yup…all me.
I also do the hand rubbed finishes myself as well.
I learned my trade growing up in Rhode Island building handmade strip-wood canoes, hand made cabinets, slab furniture and working in various shipyards on the coast of Maine till I moved to Florida in 1990.
Finding all of the exotic woods available to me here was amazing. I was like a little kid in a candy store.
I now have built and moved into my retirement cabin in Murphy, NC and have just finished my new workshop. I love the mountains and the people here …
David Luft
For David's Walking StickI am very pleased with Dave Sutton. He produced exactly what I wanted, and had the expertise to guide the things I didn't know, so I got what I wanted.
Both Dave and CustomMade answered my questions, and helped me get everything done in a timely manner.
Doug Kramp
For Doug's Walking cane/stickDave did an absolutely outstanding job on making a custom cane out of an old tree branch that I had kept over 30 years due to its origin and sentimental value. Because of its sentimental value, I was very careful to research who I thought would deliver the best product with this one-of-a-kind custom cane request. Dave was responsive, creative, professional and thoughtful in everything he did. He sent me pictures of each step of his project and asked for my input to make sure he was delivering the right thing. The cane he designed exceeded my highest expectation and I can't wait to give it to my 93-year-old dad for Christmas. Thanks to Dave, this will be one of the most cherished gifts I have ever given to anyone. I would and will trust Dave with any wood-working project. He will deliver beyond your expectations.
amy volpe
For Edge Grain Cutting Board, Solid MapleDave made a live oak cutting board for me…40"x22". He communicated all along the way.. explained where the wood came from, how he was treating it…sent pictures and answered all of my inquiries promptly. He was a pleasure to work with and now that I have the board I see that he is a talented woodworker and a gentleman too. Nice to find someone who delivers what they offer and in a professional and yet friendly way.
Mallika Patel
For Mallika's Coffee TableThe product is beautiful and as expected. Very good communication and professional in all aspects of the building process. Will definitely work with Dave again. Pricing is also reasonable too.
john sternad
For john's Jewelry BoxDave is an excellent craftsman and very easy to work with. Will give you a variety of ideas either by pictures of his work or will draw out your ideas. Would work with him on any future wood projects and highly recommend him for your work.
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