Cigar World's Artisan’s Corner: Meet Brad with Compass Woodworks Co.

Cigar World sat down with Brad from Compass Woodworks Co. to learn about the creation of his business and the influences that brought him into the space!

Jean: Brad, it is fantastic to sit down with you today. Tell us a bit about your shop and creations?

Brad: By trade, I am a full-time high school woodworking teacher. I have owned a side business, Toller Boatworks, building wooden boats since 2003, and I have boats in at least 15 states ranging from the East to the West Coast.  In 2016, I began Compass Woodworks Co on a whim, where I mostly made unique cutting boards and serving trays.  In 2020, a good friend came to me with a request to help him make a cocktail smoker. Honestly, my first response was what’s a cocktail smoker?  He informed me it was really just a board with a glass cloche on top, but his issue was that his glasses wouldn’t fit underneath the cloche.  This was an easy remedy as I simply recessed a hole in a small slab and added some epoxy to the bottom for character.  Out of curiosity (not being much of a bourbon drinker at the time), I asked how you got the smoke under the cloche.  He explained a couple of ways that included charring the board itself if it were made of suitable wood, burning wood chips on the board and covering to smolder, or using one of the smoking guns.  This little project got my wheels turning. I had made it as a finalist the previous year in Our State Magazine’s Made in NC awards with a cutting board, and I wanted to do something unique for my 2021 entry.  I wanted to elevate the cocktail smoker into a form of functional art.  With a little bit of work, I came up with the all-inclusive Infused Grain Cocktail Smoker.  I ended up winning the home and garden division of the 2021 Made in NC awards and am now closing in on 500 Infused Grains, with each being signed and numbered.  I work out my shop here at my home and most of my sales are online and a few shows that I do throughout the year. 

Jean: What inspired you to get into this space?

Brad: I am fortunate to have two major influences in my dad and step-dad who are both talented woodworkers.  I have always loved working with wood and find the most beauty in the flaws.

Jean: How long have you been working with this medium?

Brad: I was probably 12 or so years old when I began helping in the shop and learning the tools.  While I often did little odd and end projects, I began to seriously work with wood once I started building boats.

Jean: What is the process you go through to create every piece?

Brad: The selection of the wood piece to be used is probably the longest part.  I am constantly sourcing through various outlets or sawing wood on my sawmill that will give the most unique character that I can achieve.  Once the slabs are dry, I work them down to a rough size through sawing, planing, and sanding.  From there, it is a process of routing, shaping, and selecting an epoxy and hardware color that will compliment the character and colors of the wood. From there, it is a matter of assembly that involves bending copper tubing and wiring the infuser.  Each piece is tested before being shipped or sold.

Jean: How long does it typically take to create one piece?

Brad: It really depends on the options that are selected if we are talking about the Infused Grains.  A single well can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours in total while the more complex doubles, river style, and condenser tube version may take up to 8 hours spread over a couple of days.

Jean: What is your favorite piece you have made?

Brad: I would probably say the 2nd Infused Grain I made that won the Our State Made in NC award, although, I have made many that stand out so it is hard to choose a favorite!

Jean: Where do you live? Do you have a brick-and-mortar shop or just an online shop?

Brad: I am located in Salisbury, NC, and live on High Rock Lake, where I work out of my shop here at my home.  I do not have a brick-and-mortar store but I sell online and various in-person shows throughout the year, including the 12-day Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, NC.

Jean: Do you smoke cigars? If so, what is your favorite cigar to smoke?

Brad: Unfortunately, I do not.

Jean: Where do you like to smoke a cigar, and do you have a go-to drink you enjoy with your cigar?

Brad: While I don’t smoke, I have a number of friends that do.  The favorite gathering place for drinks and cigars is the back porch overlooking the lake.

Jean: Do you take commissions for custom work, and where can our audience find you?

Brad: Infused Grains, as well as cutting boards, can be custom-ordered through www.compasswoodworksco.com. Customers can select wood species, epoxy color, hardware finish, and options such as double wells, epoxy river style, condenser tube as well and engraving.

Jean: Anything else that you want to us to discuss in the article (EX: any new product launches coming, shop updates, or anything else that you think would be interesting for our audience.)

Brad: I have recently started making an Infused Grain Mini, which incorporates a reproduction vintage look ½ gallon Mason Jar Cloche. The mini is perfect for travel or those who have limited space but would like to still have the artistic look of the Infused Grain for their home bar or man cave.  While they are limited to in-person sales right now, the plan is to have them on the website after the first of the year. Pricing on the Minis is about ½ that of the Infused Grain.

Jean: Thank you again for your time. Your work is amazing!

Make sure to check out Brand and Compass Woodworks Co. on Instragam @compass_woodworks_co

Cigar World is also giving away one of Compass Woodworks Co. drink smokers that will come with a free engraving, and all Infused Grains come with apple, cherry, and pecan chips as well as board butter for conditioning!

Visit @Cigarworld on Instagram to enter, or click on our giveaway post here!