Metro Cigar News Fall 1999

Kemo Sabe, look at all those wooden Indians!
The Lone Ranger isn't on the production list at All Wood Classics, but if you ask for him, they'll make one and probably throw in his horse Silver, as well. Tonto could be any one of the current production line.

The Delaware-based company produces an extensive line of wooden Indians, each clutching a pack of cigars or a flintlock gun. The delicate and intricate carvings are fast becoming collectors' items decorating not only commercial establishments, but the den of many a cigar smoker and probably quite a few non-smokers as well.

Want to immortalize yourself? Or someone close to you? Send in a photograph and they'll create a custom design to your specifications.

Darren Hussey, head honcho at All Wood Classics came up with the idea for quality cigar store Indians when he realized there was a market for a well done product. His statues are actually carved by fine artisans in Maylasia from prototypes he provides or from custom orders.

The All Wood Classics line is far from an automated production as many of the other statues are. Each one is carved and chiseled by hand from kiln dried mahogany rather than the wet green wood used by many others in the business.

The artisans color each statue with acrylic paints and then polish them with natural beeswax to produce a beautiful gloss. The statues are then sprayed with a urethane coating to prevent oxidization. The process provides a durability insuring that each statue will last nearly forever.

Darren Hussey began in the business producing wood decoys for collectors and hunters when he spotted a wooden Indian and fell in love.

He has become the main industry in several Maylasian villages, employing the artisans on a full-time basis to provide his products. It's not uncommon for 20 families in a village to be working on his line.

These aren't simple village folk he trained to do the work. Many of them had extensive experience hand carving the exquisite temple statues and Buddhas Southeast Asia is noted for.

In addition to the hand carved Indians, Hussey employs the villagers to make fine furniture, wagon wheels and beautiful elephants. They also provide teak furniture and architectural reproductions such as Roman columns and decorative carvings.

He has become an important part of the culture and economy as the main source of income for many of the village artisans. Quality has been maintained and strengthened through the system he uses in assigning one style or product to an individual or family so that they can come as close to perfection through repetition as possible.

Some of the villagers have small off-season businesses farming and raising lychee nuts. It took a while before he was able to develop a rapport with the artisans. As the villagers came to know Darren, they realized he could be trusted and they demonstrated how reliable they could be. He travels to Maylasia about twice a year for a month's stay each time.

"Trust is very important when you are away most of the year and you have to depend on people half a world away," Hussey commented.

Because of the attention to detail and their refusal to cut corners where quality is concerned, each statue takes about one month to create. There currently are about 30 stock the drawing boards, including one of the world's most famous cigar smokers, Winston Churchill.

The statues can be seen at JR's in Paramus and Whippany in New Jersey and in Manhattan. They are also on view at Mom's and House of Oxford, also in Manhattan.

While the creations are not inexpensive, they are not quite as expensive as you might imagine for the quality, detail and handiwork that goes into each of them. The six-foot Indian sells for $995, but if you purchase them through JR's, or House of Oxford, there is a discount. They can also be shipped to any destination in the world.

By Bob Nesoff

All photos of wooden cigar Indians
were taken at JR Tobacco in Whippany,
New Jersey, located on Route 10 East.

Check out All Wood Classics website at
www.fujipub.com/woodclassic