Whittler To Master

Just finished a tour, plus some exploring on my own, at the Warther Museum and workshop in Dover, Ohio. I remember a visit here, back in the old days, but it was still impressive the second time around. Ernest "Mooney" Warther was a self-taught woodcarver, who started out just whittling things and became a master at his craft.

An example of his "whittlin' days" - His "Plier Tree," on display at the museum, has 511 interconnected pliers carved from a single block of wood.

Then he went on to his amazing history of the steam locomotive in wood, with bone (and later ivory) - but never any paint or dyes.

And then he did some in ivory.

Also, some carvings of his day job in the mills. Carving was a hobby, and he apparently never sold a carving (gave some away) although he did have a small knife business that is still making high quality knives today.