Monthly Archives: September 2020

Hardwood Feature: White Oak

Hardwood Feature: White Oak

Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 28th Dec 2014

We’re proud American craftsmen at Two Guys Bow Ties, and try to pay homage to the grand ole USA in anyway possible. Many of our handcrafted, hardwood products take their names from great American cities, landmarks, and historic personalities. That’s one of the reasons we decided to use white oak for many of our hardwood accessories, like our Earl (pictured below).

White oak is about as American as a wood can be. Its acorns were once a food source for Native Americans. And years later the USS Constitution was built from it. If you’re not up on your naval history, you probably know that ship by its other name:  Old Ironsides. Built to stave off the Barbary pirates of the Mediterranean—American Hero, Paul Revere made its bolts and breasthooks—Old Ironsides outlasted similar vessels, remaining seaworthy to this day. White oak is a pretty special, hardwearing tree whose wood we’d be crazy not to use while on this quest to bring back true American craftsmanship.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

Photo Credit:  U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

Speaking of American crafts, white oak was Gustav Stickley’s favorite wood. Stickley was the originator of the “American Craftsman” style we’re all so familiar with in wood working circles today. The godfather of the American Arts & Crafts movement chose white oak to be the bearer of his legacy.

adjustable-back_chair_no-_2342_gustav_stickley_1900-1904_-_img_1632

Photo Credit

Another fine-crafted, truly American article owes its perfection to white oak—bourbon. Bourbon’s a Southern American whiskey thought to have been brought to the new world by Scots who’d have likely made something that tasted more like Scotch whisky if it weren’t for North America’s different ingredients. Instead of barley, wheat, and rye; Americans used a corn mash. Once the whiskey is aged inside a new charred white oak barrel, it’s ready to become the backbone of your old-fashioned.

Gerard Prins-CC BY-SA 3.0-GNU Free Doc License

We love using white oak for all the same reasons as those who’ve come before us. It’s a historic wood that’s made its mark on the American identity. White oak is the wood of American artisanship, and we’ve been honored to be able to use it on our Earl and Chester wooden bow ties, as well as several lapel pins: including the CambridgeDeerfield, and Concord.  Most recently, we thought it appropriate to use it for some of our own stylish furniture on our Mammoth Valet Tray.

Start a fire, put a wooden bow tie and lapel pin on, pour a bourbon, have a seat in your early century American chair, and toast all those who came before’s brilliant use of white oak.

Show Your School Spirit with Style

Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 9th Sep 2014

College football season is here, and fans everywhere couldn’t be happier. Your favorite team deserves the most dapper attire possible. No matter who you yell for, we have hardwood accessories to help you show your school spirit at any event. We’ve put together some pairings that are sure to have people talking about your team…and your style. If you don’t see your school below, we’re sure to have a wooden bow tie or lapel flower to to serve you well. 

In honor of Bear Bryant’s infamous houndstooth hat, Alabama fans can yell “roll tide” in style, by pairing our Melvin wooden bow tie with their favorite game day ensemble. Fashioned from Canary wood, its smooth shape is pleasing to the eye, and its white and black houndstooth center is a crisp contrast to the Crimson Tide’s uniforms, and an ode to the Bear himself.

Our Frederick wooden bow tie features Rosewood with a navy centerpiece, and provides Auburn fans with a look that is as distinct as their team’s play. This wooden bow tie is sure to bring out the navy and orange at any game day showing.

When thinking of Southern style, you certainly can’t forget the Georgia Bulldogs fans’ dandy ways. When paired with Georgia’s red and black, our Russell black ebony wooden bow tie is sure to bring its own unmistakeable style to show Bulldogs’ pride.

Tennessee Volunteers fans also support their team with Southern charm. The Arthur is the wooden bow tie for them. Polished Rose wood comes together with an orange fabric center as a dandy way to show Tennessee football pride and stay dashing at the same time.

Baylor Bears fans will appreciate both our Glenn wooden bow tie and our Oakland wooden lapel flower. The Glenn’s smooth shape, Walnut finish, and yellow plaid center make it almost as eye-catching as Baylor’s mascot. The Oakland wooden lapel flower is also made from Walnut hardwood and boasts a vibrant yellow center. It’s the perfect complement to the Bears’ green and gold.

Others in the Lone Star State are more likely to bleed purple and white. For the Horned Frogs, the 1-2 combo of our Dale wooden bow tie and Detroit wooden lapel flower pack the perfect punch of class and style. Both are hand-crafted from Walnut wood and display a purple center that is sure to proclaim your Horned Frog pride.

Last, but certainly not least, we have wooden ties and lapels that are sure to please fans of teams near and dear to our hearts. Cowboys fans will turn a head with our Portland wooden lapel flower. Its Rose wood and bright orange centerpiece will have everyone around you rooting for OSU as well.

Not sure that any of these pieces quite meet your school spirit needs? Create a custom wooden bow tie with your choice of hardwood and fabric center. Learn more about our custom wooden bow ties and how you can create a unique piece that proclaims your school pride without saying a word.

Wooden Bow Ties

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  1. The wood on this bowtie is very pretty and the leather in the middle gives it a little bit of fun flare. I purchased this for my husband for our 3rd wedding anniversary. It came quickly and the personalized message was etched nicely. A beautiful products and great talking piece.

  2. My husband is a carpenter and this was the Perfect gift for our 5th anniversary!! We both appreciated the details in construction right down to the packaging.

  3. I gave this tie to a young man working for me and he went crazy! The tie is rich and looks expensive, not to mention, unique. I loved giving the tie and he loved receiving it. Well done!

  4. Big hit at the wedding couldn’t of asked for better

  5. As they already warned, the bow tie doesn’t look exactly like on the foto – still it is very beautiful and well made. I love it and get complimented on it all the time.
    Only minus: the “belt” that let’s you fasten the tie to your neck could be more elegant to match the great style of the rest if the product.

  6. Awesome bowtie, and friendly and very very helpful customer service! Just what i wanted and that I imagined!

    The leather goes very good to Lumberjack shirts or more rough shirts, but also an awesome touch to a stylish shirt. All in all a awesome product!

  7. I just have to now be cool enough to wear it like a boss T!

  8. I bought the “Mr. T” tie for my son who wore it to church. We’re probably not supposed to draw attention to ourselves at church, but that’s exactly what this tie did. His young lady-friends were attracted to that tie like a moth to the flame! If I had known the reacion was going to be that strong, I would have thought twice about the purchase. Needless to say, my son loves the tie. My only complaint is the price, which is pretty steep for a tie. That being said, it was a very impactful birthday present.