Bringing Oak into Everyday Life & Why We Work With It
There’s something timeless about oak. It’s been used in homes for centuries—not just because it looks appealing, but because it lasts.
Solid, dependable, and full of character, it’s a wood that wears in, not out. In our workshop, oak is at the centre of almost everything we do—from staved boards to live-edge slabs cut straight from the boule. For furniture that’s built to be used every day, we think there’s no better material.
We started out in a small workshop in Sway, on the edge of the New Forest. Back then, we’d buy up old bits of timber—whatever we could get our hands on—and shape them by hand with a big old bandsaw, a planer, and a stack of well-used tools.
Those early days were full of trial and error: learning the wood, getting to know its quirks, and building up our skills one piece at a time.
(Our first workshop in Sway)
As we grew, we began sourcing timber more carefully. We made trips across England and over to France to visit sawmills, meet suppliers face-to-face, and hand-pick the oak ourselves.
We’d load up the truck and head home—24 hours and 900 miles on the road with a full load of boards and a lot of coffee. There’s something special about knowing exactly where your wood comes from.
(Visiting sawmills in France)
(A truck loaded with wood is returning from the trip)
Fast forward to today, and we’re now based in Christchurch, near Bournemouth. The workshop's grown, but our approach hasn’t changed. Everything is still made in-house, by hand, using solid oak.
We do not compromise on quality. We don’t outsource. We just focus on making simple, lasting pieces that people can actually live with.
We use only responsibly sourced oak from France and England. We use solid joinery and maintain natural finishes, allowing the grain to shine through. No two pieces are ever quite the same, and that’s how we like it.
Over the years, we’ve made desks for home offices, chunky shelves for kitchens, tables that stand up to daily life, and chopping boards that get better with use. Everything is made to last—no flat packs, no mass production.
This blog is where we’ll share more about how we work, what we’re building, and a few things we’ve learnt along the way. If you’re into wood, making, or just curious to see what comes out of the workshop—stick around.
Why We Use Kiln-Dried Oak
We often engage in discussions about the optimal type of wood for a given project. Because wood is a natural material, it needs to go through a significant process before it becomes stable and usable—especially for indoor furniture.
Here’s a quick look at how that journey plays out and why kiln-dried oak is at the core of what we do.
Green Oak—Fresh from the Tree
Green oak is timber that’s freshly cut and still full of moisture—usually between 60% and 80%. Green oak is heavy, wet, and constantly changes as it dries out.
Common uses for green oak:
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Timber-framed buildings
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External cladding (barns, houses)
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Landscaping (fence posts, sleepers)
Air-Dried Oak—A Bit More Stable
The next stage is air-drying, where boards are left stacked with spacers in a well-ventilated, covered environment—usually for one year per inch of thickness. After that, moisture content typically falls to around 20–30%.
Air-dried oak is suitable for:
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External joinery
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Garden furniture
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Restoration projects
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Internal features like mantel beams
Kiln-Dried Oak—Ready for Furniture Making
Once oak has air-dried for a few years, it’s ready for the kiln. In a controlled environment, the timber is gently dried over 3–6 weeks down to around 8–12% moisture—the sweet spot for indoor furniture and joinery.
Everything we make—from tables to chopping boards—uses properly kiln-dried oak. It’s the foundation for quality work that lasts for decades, not years.
Working with Oak: The Details That Matter
Beyond moisture content, oak has its character. Every piece is different, and part of our job is to work with it, not against it.
English oak typically has a slightly warmer and softer tone, whereas French oak can have a slightly lighter and straighter grain. Sometimes we’ll find a board with pippy knots, strong rays, or even a ripple running through it. These inherent characteristics contribute to the uniqueness of each piece.
We also avoid covering the wood up with heavy stains. Instead, we use natural wax oils that soak in, protect the timber, and bring out the depth of the grain. The result is a finish that looks and feels alive—not plasticky or sealed off.
(Current workshop)
What’s Next?
This blog is where we’ll keep sharing more—from behind-the-scenes builds to tips on caring for oak to stories from customers.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. Whether you're someone curious about handmade furniture or just here for a bit of inspiration—welcome to the workshop.
Robert Gibb—Owner
The Oak Guys
