Jura T Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 (edited) I'm having a work trip to Portland (USA) next weekend/next week. I'll have one day off, so is there anything interesting (blacksmithing related or not) to see/visit? One thing that I hope to find, that I haven't seen here in Finland, is a butcher's block brush with stiff wide bristles. Should I look for a hardware or a kitchen supplies shop to find one? Edited November 10, 2009 by Minotaur added country information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 (edited) Portland UK or Portland USA or some other location? Try a Farriers supplies place they usually have the heavy duty brushes, or commercial supplies for the hotel / butchers industry, or ask your local butcher where he gets his from if you have one. Edited November 10, 2009 by John B Determining location Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Are you going to Portland, Oregon or possibly Portland ,Maine? If you give just a bit more information then the right folks will be able to help you better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jura T Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 Quick googling reveals that there is Portland in Australia as well, one in New Zeeland... I didn't realize that Portland has been so popular name for places. I'm going to Portland, Oregon, USA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodgerman Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Across the river in Vancouver Wa. is Fort Vancouver, a rebuilt Hudson's Bay tradepost/ fort that was later taken over as a US Army fort. I spent several hours there probably 10 years ago, they'd rebuilt the forge there, as well as several other buildings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Aspery Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm having a work trip to Portland (USA) next weekend/next week. I'll have one day off, so is there anything interesting (blacksmithing related or not) to see/visit? One thing that I hope to find, that I haven't seen here in Finland, is a butcher's block brush with stiff wide bristles. Should I look for a hardware or a kitchen supplies shop to find one? If you have transport, take a trip out to Mt Hood and Timberline lodge. I think this is about 1 hours drive. There is a lot of blacksmithing examples in the lodge. The restaurant serves a fine breakfast. North of Portland a fraction is fort Vancouver. They usually have a blacksmith doing demos. Very colonial. You can try and fine butcher block brushes in Portland, but my guess is that it will have to be ordered. You might want to have them coming to your hotel as you fly. Books should be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask Mark Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 The whole area is beautiful. Multnomah Falls is a short trip out of the city. Mount Hood is a nice trip. Mount St. Helens is a nice trip. The ocean is close. The Columbia River Gorge has so many sites. I really miss that area. I used to travel down there often for work and regrettably, never took advantage of all the sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jura T Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 Thanks for the info. Fort Vancouver sounds interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 One of my favorite day trips is to drive up to Timberline Lodge and return through Hood River and Columbia Gorge. Its a big loop drive and will take all day if you stop and enjoy all the sites along the way. Timberline was a WPA project that has remained true to the craftsmen who built it. I highly recommend it- take a look at this link to get an idea of whats inside: Timberline, Mt. Hood, OR New Deal Art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingmaker3 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 One word: POWELL's! More titles than Amazon, more volumes in stock than Amazon, validated parking & a decent coffee shop (just TRY to eitehr from from Amazon) and a staff rated among the ten sexiest by Mercury Magazine. I especially reccommend Powell's Technical Bookstore, a few bloks east of the main store. Have a meal at Jakes, not far from Powell's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jura T Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 One word: POWELL's! I especially reccommend Powell's Technical Bookstore, a few bloks east of the main store. Powell's is already on the google map that a colleague of mine did. The Technical Bookstore is a good hint, thanks. I wouldn't mind finding some books by Dona Z. Meilach and some other blacksmithing books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Creek Blacksmith Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Just a suggestion if you are going to make a trip to Fort Vancouver call in advance to make sure of their hours. Hate to see you make a wasted trip to find them closed. I don't know anything about the place but in this area places are only open on the weekend this time of year. Have a safe trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Clad Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Hello Minotaur. Ft. Vancouver is always open on the weekends and weekdays. They usually close at 5 pm. The weekends are a better time to go, more blacksmiths and woodworkers there. I worked at Ft. Vancouver for a few years. The blacksmith shop has four forge stations with four large bellows suspended from the beams overhead. Also, I live about 15 minutes from Timberline Lodge and my son works there. If you give me an idea about when you will be in town perhaps I can arrange for my son to give you a private tour of the lodge!! The iron work by Darrel Nelson is fantastic! Send me a private message. One of my favorite places in the world is the Columbia River Gorge. I drive my classic truck down the gorge a least once a month in the summer. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and it's usually a little windy this time of year but it's still a beautiful drive. I recommend the old highway on the Oregon side. Again, send me a private message and I will communicate directions for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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