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Woodworker Donn Saindon is a self-described ‘perfectionist to a fault’
Photography By W. Garth Dowling
Donn Saindon goes to great lengths—and great distances—to find his wood, from the California redwoods to the forests of Idaho ... to the Great Salt Lake?
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The surfing fanatic and master craftsman set up shop several years ago atop a hill outside Tetonia, Idaho, where he enjoys long-range views of Teton Valley and the Teton Range. Here the artisan creates immaculate furniture cut from high-quality, often rare pieces of wood.
Saindon grew up on the coast of northern San Diego County. After spending additional time on the ocean in Hawaii, the salty dog settled into a landlocked existence in Teton Valley some twenty-five years ago.
“I was a building contractor in the valley, and worked with some high-end clientele,” he says; “I built some great homes. But I’ve been doing the furniture thing for the past four years now.”
To get to the place where Saindon makes his magic happen, I headed west from Jackson Hole over Teton Pass and north through Teton Valley. Advancing up a hill by way of a bumpy gravel road, I spot the secluded shop in which the craftsman cuts and creates. I see Saindon himself, standing outside, clad in a blue T-shirt emblazoned with a surfer-worthy logo.
On inspection, I find that his airy workshop consists of three rooms that seem to flow from one to the next. Giant slabs of wood and beautifully polished tables stand about in the rooms, creating makeshift pathways. I’m a greenhorn when it comes to the various wood species, and Saindon wastes little time introducing me to the world of his wood. My lesson begins after I inquire about a particular large, round hunk of wood that looks … well, peculiar.
“Some of the old guys I buy wood from in northern California call this ‘high-altitude burl,’” he says, “because it’s not root burl. It’s literally hanging up in the tree. I can cut the hanging burl into end table slabs or put it on the lathe and turn some bowls.”
In contrast to the raw state of the high-altitude burl, and sitting inches away from it, is a beautiful redwood table, grand in scale and seemingly polished to perfection.
“This one was so labor-intensive because redwood is like a sponge and just drinks up the finish,” Saindon says. “It has a lot of por-ous pits in it, so I have to keep filling those pits, then put a finish on there, take it off, and see what’s remaining.” ... (continued)
Reader Comments:
Hi Donn, It's Charlie long time no see.You look great.I'm on facebook you should look me up.Charlette Hatch Van Horn.I miss seeing you and eveeryone.How is content and Izzy?Give me a call some time if ya want 307-840-6737.I would love t hear from ya. :)Take care.