Brass thimbles historically had a wide variety of uses on sailing boats including in traditional rope stropped blocks or to make cringles, a traditional form of attachment point on sails. As their use declined, large wholesalers have stopped carrying them, and sourcing them has become increasingly difficult. Initially with blocks in mind, I decided to figure out how to make my own. Along the way I realized selling these in a variety of sizes suited to use on small boats could be a way I could serve the small boat community and those interested in marlinspike seamanship.

These are sized by their outside diameter and the diameter of their score( the grove that line fits into around their circumference).

The ‘5/8”, 1/4” score’, and ‘1”, 3/8” score’ sizes are very close to sizes traditionally found. For most folks, these will be their go-to sizes for small boat needs.

The 1/2”, 3/16” score size maintains the traditional proportions, but to my knowledge is smaller than sizes commonly available in the past. These are cute little fellas. Making a small wooden block for 1/4” line using something like a Harken 22mm micro sheave and 4mm hempex for the strop? This is your ticket.

The other sizes I am making have proportionally larger inside diameters than were commonly available for the size of their score. That increased diameter may be useful if you want more space for lashings that go through the the opening. Given the high strength of modern synthetic rope like Hempex, some of these larger sizes will allow the use of a smaller line to go around the thimble, while maintaining a larger opening size. I’d love to see some folks interested in traditional knotwork got their hands on them.

I form these one at a time using custom made jigs.

If you are unsure which size will meet your needs, contact me. I’m happy to help.

Made of solid brass, these will tarnish over time.

Each piece is built to order, please allow 6-8 weeks for fulfillment.

Out of stock? Commission your own!

First made in November of 2017, these are the second large scale application of the techniques I first used to build humpback whales. At nearly 6 feet wide and about 26 inches long it is slightly larger than the whales and involved solving a new set of challenges. It is constructed primarily of Oregon White Oak, with some reclaimed fir. It is lashed together with artificial sinew. Some pieces are also held in place with small pegs.

Many folks have asked me: "Why a turkey vulture." As a child I grew up in a house up on a hill where throughout the summer I could typically count between 5 and 10 turkey vultures soaring on the thermals. Often their lazy circles would take them near the ground where our dog would run back and forth barking at them. Sometimes they would land in the trees next to our house. I enjoyed watching them then and continue to enjoy watching these large birds soaring. More recently I also learned that these large birds were a favorite of my grandmother's, which gives building sculptures of them a little extra meaning for me. I know she would have loved it.

Each whale is handmade to order. Please allow 6-8 weeks for fulfillment.

These 5 foot long whale sculptures took lessons I had learned from skin-on-frame boat building, as well as various western boat building techniques, and applied them to a new context. All steam bent parts are Oregon White Oak sourced from a local, family-owned and operated forestry project. Other wooden parts are reclaimed fir. There is no metal or glue in any of them. The first 5 were built and displayed at Boy's Fort in downtown Portland where I was one of two featured artists in February of 2014.

Whether displayed vertically on a wall or suspended from the ceiling, they have considerably life despite the minimal quantity of materials that goes into each one.