I'm going to agree with PD on his take about LaVerne. I've purchased from him for years and your comment about Laverne stating the stave had 30 rpi is way out of character. I've never seen rings per inch discussed in any description that was ever published on any of his listings. That is not and never has been a characteristic of Mr. Bartell's listings.
I consider he and his son Eric friends of the utmost character and your degradation on a public forum has me a little irritated and I may well draw it to his attention.
Also Laverne cuts his wood close to home over in the Missouri River valley of Nebraska area, sells more hedge posts than staves, and has never sold a piece of yew that I am aware of.
I think Mr. Bandit has his suppliers mixed up in fact I'll give you 10-1 odds you do!!!!
Fred
A big +1 on that!! Mr. L. Bartels is a stand up guy. I've purchased dozens of staves from him and his son, and they've always been good quality. I had a problem with a couple of elm staves once, and he immediately replaced them at no charge. And he does NOT sell yew. You did apologise, but it would be good to be more careful about who you slag on a public forum unless you're sure. Now, Dave Robertson, on the other hand, at Medicine Bow Wood is a lyin' bastard. Bad wood, bad customer service, bad photos. I complained about a yew stave I bought, and he basically told me to pi$$ off. It was not the stave he advertised. I will not purchase anything from him ever, and I'll gladly tell others why.
