Last week the Young Men at church embarked on a service project to clean up the yard of an elderly widow. As an adult leader serving in the Young Men’s organization it was my duty to go along and supervise along with a two other men.

When we arrived the young men got busy picking up trash and mowing the lawn. There were also several dead trees on the property that needed to come down. So, the adults figured that we could take care of that chore while the kids were doing the “light work”.

We only had one chain saw amongst us, so while the rest of the guys were fussing with it trying to get it running I went back to the car and retrieved the Dog Father. I got a number of snickers and several remarks were made when I walked up to the smallest of trees that needed to be removed. It was only about 2 inches in diameter and the recently sharpened DF brought it down with 2 strokes. I imagine a stronger man could have done it with one.

Everyone was watching when I walked up to the second tree. This one was a dead pine about three inches in diameter and it took me about 5 strokes to topple it. The final tree was a dead oak about 10 inches in diameter and I left that for the chain saw to bring down although the DF got a good workout helping to remove limbs and trimming them.By the time the evening was over all the other men wanted to know how they could get a Dog Father too.

Dan, if you make them they will sell.

First, I greatly respect that you are involved in your church's young men's program, and having them do service for the widows.

Second, good job teaching them Scrapyard gosple.

Thank you for the kind words James. We try hard to teach service to our youth as we believe strongly that it is only through serving others that we can truly come to know ourselves and reach our full potential.

Some of them learn it, some of them don't. But we keep trying.

What a great opportunity for the youth and for you to show the difference between peoples perception of a chopper and a good chopper... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I bet some were disappointed when you told them they couldn't just go and immediately order one... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Excellent, Rich. People have become so used to power tools, they have forgotten the virtues of muscle and blade. I'm sure the widow lady was grateful. "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead."
James 2:26.

Amen!

i think you could have taken the last tree.

Yes they were. I think that if I had had a few extra with me I could have sold them then and there. They were really amazed when I told them the price on the Dog Father. Nobody could believe that Dan sold it so cheaply.

Thank you Vic, and yes she was grateful. I appreciate the quote from James, it is one of my favorites.

I think so too scrappy. But it was starting to get late, and I am not as young as I would like to be so laziness won out and I let the chain saw take care of it. Besides, it gave the others something to do.

It is amazing what a sharp well oiled and cared for hand tool can do with a bit of skill. Often the power tools we use are not any faster for the one or two holes we have to drill or the bit of wood we have to cut than a good sharp hand saw would be.

Great job Rich ,I think it says a lot about a person when they look at a chopper like the DF whether they see a deadly weapon or a versatile tool. Great job changing a few minds.

Great story - thanks for sharing. I love my DF, and may start taking it with me to church as well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />