RAY BYROM

Ray Byrom, who lives off Bear's Glen Road, (Pawnee County) has been doing wood carving for approximately 10 years. It started out as just a hobby. Today, it is more than that.

His latest piece of work is an 8 foot, 4 inch tall (base included) wooden Indian and the piece is made entirely of walnut. It used to be a tree that was approximatley 3 foot in diameter.

Actual work on the wooden Indian took 55 to 60 hours over a time span of approximately four weeks. Due to back problems, for which Ray is awaiting a surgery that will help him, the process takes twice as long as it normally would. Ray is unable to lift over 5 pounds from a stooping position. His son and brother do all the lifting required to get the trees Ray personally picks out for his work. This includes cutting them down, hauling to the work site, and arranging them in the wood carving rack next to his garage and near his tools. The rack is rigged to where Ray can turn it easily and work on it without stooping.

If Ray could use heavier hand tools, the process would be speedier, but he can only use lightweight ones although most are electric. He works with a forge and anvils also set up in his garage.

Ray also makes custom knives for hunting and fishing or just for show. On the small detailing on the knives, Ray uses graver-max dremel moto-tools. The carving and engraving of the blades, which can be made from allen wrenches, buzz saw blades, or other metals, is done by hand. Names can also be stenciled on the blades.

Sometimes Ray orders what are called "pre-finished" blades for his knives. These are already cut and shaped in hollow ground but are not completely finished.

"There's a lot of work to do still if I use pre-finished blades. Ordering pre-finished blades does cut the time process about 6 to 7 hours, not including detail work," he said.

It takes about 8 hours to detail the knife's stag (handle) and approximately 14 hours for the knife blade if it is put through the entire forge process.

Other items Ray can build include rocking doll cradles, children's school desks and chairs, hat racks, and outdoor scenery boards.

"Ill make anything you want. Right now, I don't have an income," Ray said. He worked for C.E. Natco for 28 years and was laid off when the company shut down.

He is strictly an outdoor person but can't do activities such as bow hunt anymore, due to his back problems. "That's the reason I want to get this operation. I will be able to do more," he said.

He has carved 3 wooden Indians and has some on order now. One went to Indian Electric and one will go to a law firm in Norman, Okla. The next 3 he will do are going to individuals for their homes and will be on a smaller scale.

Ray also does animals and prefers working with animals as compared to human figures. "I grew up on a farm. I've been around animals all my life and I'm familiar with them. I can do better with animals," he said.

At various times, his wife, Donna, has remarked that it looks like a modern day confused beaver in her backyard.

Prices vary according to the types of wood used. Ray can be reached by calling 243-5375 for informaton on his wood work.

"If someone wants a particular item, I can built it just like they want. I prefer this to building several of one item as specific requests from my customers can be honored. You don't have any erasers and that's another reason why the work is slower. Once you make a mistake it's there, although sometimes you can work around it," Ray said.

It can be very difficult at times for people who do not have back problems to relate and sympathize with those who do, Ray said. It is a physical problem one can't see, but the sufferer certainly can feel.

Ray is always thinking of articles to build and also has a baseball-softball storage cart he has a government patent on. He is in the process of discussing this invention with a company in Missouri.

The first piece Ray did, out of boredom as it was snowing and hunting season was over, was a scenery board carved elk, done by hand tools.

He has lived in the Bear's Glen area for 25 years. He and his wife, Donna, have three children: Randy, Vickey (Findley) and Janna Kennedy; 4 grandchildren, and 2 pretty good sons-in-law.