Steve LaMantia

[Master Woodbutcher]

Any old timers left on The Wreck, and any woodworker who ever heard of Scary Sharp(TM) will know of Steve LaMantia. He was the author of the well known piece, and he had an ubiquitous presence here back in the '90s.

I got a note today from his sister that he had passed away this morning. I checked his Facebook page (we were FB friends) as well as hers, and it appears to be true.

Too young. And too talented a scribe to not be remembered.

I've long had an original Scary Sharp(TM) version on my website and for those who aren't familiar and wish to see it (and about it), here's the URL to my paean:

LRod Master Woodbutcher and Seasoned Termite

[Larry Kraus]

Sorry to hear that.

Steve and Scary Sharp(TM) were responsible for my learning to use my grandad's #3, because once I knew how to make it sharp, I could actually make it work. Which lead to many hours of relaxation in the shop using (and re-sharpening) the many planes & chisels that I accumulated once I learned to appreciate the value of a sharp edge.

I think I'll go see if I can count a few nose hairs...

[Puckdropper]

Master Woodbutcher wrote in news: [e-mail]:

LRod!

Haven't seen you around here in a long time! What'd you do pull the old computer out of mothballs to find us again?

Puckdropper

[habemuspapum]

On Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 8:40:22 PM UTC-5, [e-mail] w rote:

Probably close to twenty years! I can't exactly explain it. Probably just c hange in focus. I've had up to date computers the whole time. I've been run ning Linux (Ubuntu) for at least ten years, but that's not why I left. I gu ess probably the fora that developed on the web with pictures and everythin g was the draw.

I think about The Wreck now and again, and referenced it liberally when I p osted about Steve elsewhere. It's also where I got my Omnijig, and some oth er stuff as I move them from one location in the shop to another.

Thanks for remembering me.

LRod

[Noons]

Aye!.... Vale, Steve LaMantia and his Scary Sharp. I still follow that nowadays, 20 years later. Without a doubt the best for the old farts who like me chose to stick with hand tools for their woodworking.

[Contrarian]

thanks for the commemoration and the website page.