COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dave Thomas spends his retirement moving with the grain. Each week, he carves out time to work with his hands, transforming a block of wood into a piece of art. 

What You Need To Know

  • Dave Thomas carves wood every week at Whetstone Community Center in Columbus

  • Thomas works with all types of wood and often uses his creations for gifts

  • Thomas has been joined at Whetstone by Ketih Radick for nearly the last decade

  • Whetstone offers a free woodcarving program every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. for all adults

“I started [carving] in 1964 when I was stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. So, a long time,” said Thomas. 

All of his creations are different and the type of wood can have a significant effect on the finished product.

"You can carve any type of wood. Some of the nicer, the tighter grain wood comes from up near Wisconsin and that area where it’s colder. It grows slower,” he said.

Thomas uses an array of tools and a strop to keep them sharp. 

“If it’s too dull, you’re going to be pushing too hard and you might slip and when you slip, you cut yourself," Thomas said.

Thomas spends every Wednesday morning at the Whetstone Community Center in Columbus, carving alongside his friends. He's been carving with Keith Radick for the last decade. Radick says it is difficult to call any work complete. 

“Almost every piece I set aside and weeks later, you know I’ll look at them as I pass by and I’ll go ‘I should have done this,' ‘I should have done that,'” said Radick. 

As for Thomas, it's the relaxation in every stroke that he enjoys the most. 

"It's calming. I enjoy seeing something develop from a piece of wood and it’s just very relaxing, really," Thomas said. 

Thomas doesn't sell his work. He gifts most of it to friends and family. 

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