Fatlighter, or Fatwood, is a term used throughout early Appalachia, and the south, to describe pine knots and heartwood left from fallen trees that had mostly decayed. The specific term varied by region but often included the word “fat” or “lighter.” The residual knots & heartwood contained a high concentration of pitch that made them resistant to decay and insect infestations. These “fat” pieces of wood were prized among homesteaders as they were gathered and split into kindling.
In the early 2000’s Gary shared a large shop with two other woodworkers. Gary worked construction during the day and in the shop at night building custom furniture using reclaimed and salvaged materials. Always on a quest to source more materials he drove past a gentleman burning a wood pile aside a fallen barn that he’d been eyeing for quite some time. Gary stopped and approached the man who was wearing coveralls, chewing tobacco, and leaning against a rake. As the two conversed, Gary picked up a piece of random wood laying about. As he admired the tight grain pattern, he scraped a sliver of the wood off with his knife. The strong smell of pine filled his nostrils as the rich burgundy color was revealed. The wood was premium old growth heart pine. Not the “heart pine” many speak of these days but legitimate old growth long leaf heart pine. Except for a few protected stands, old growth long leaf pine no longer exists due to over harvesting. Gary grew excited and showed the ol’timer whom was unphased. Gary inquired if he could buy the wood rather than it being burnt. The ol’timer replied, “It’s just old Fatlighter. Hell, if I don’t have to stand here all day and burn it, you can have it. I’ve got other things I can do.” From that day forward the name Fatlighter Woodworks was marked on all of Gary’s furniture. In 2019 Fatlighter Company was officially born.
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