Ben Kiger standing in his West Virginia woodshop

About me · Ben Kiger

I love what I do for a living

Everything I make is made one at a time, by me, in my shop in the mountains — here in Williamstown, West Virginia.

Some background

I take a lot of pride in every single piece I make, and I guarantee everything I make for life. I love to work on custom orders — I like the back and forth, and the look on someone's face when they see their piece finished.

I have a small woodshop in a small town in West Virginia, right on the banks of the Ohio River. It's just me, a workbench, and some tools I've collected over the last 10 or 15 years. I'm a first-generation woodworker, so my journey has been interesting and fraught with what I've learned to call "learning experiences" — mistakes, lots of them, but there really is no better way to learn.

I spend a good bit of my time making dining tables, coffee tables, cutting boards, and even game tables. I've always loved the idea of making something that's going to bring people together.

Whether you purchase anything today or not, I genuinely appreciate your time. Thank you for visiting.

— Ben

Where the wood comes from

I mill all my own lumber

I bring in rough-cut boards and break them down into smaller, workable pieces. I'm lucky enough to have a virtually endless supply of beautiful, furniture-grade hardwood — and always a few striking exotics on the rack.

Black Walnut
Cherry
Hard Maple
Curly Maple
Ash
Beech
Chestnut
Purpleheart
Yellowheart
Padauk

My old town mayor

Mr. Tom Esham

Much of what I do I owe to Mr. Tom Esham, a master carpenter and our old town mayor. Upon his passing, he and his son Todd graced me with access to his private shop — and Mr. Esham's remarkable collection of top-grade lumber. I have been, and will forever be, grateful.

Before his passing he had finished the trim in his entire home, basement to attic, in solid local Cherry — a project typically more suited for painted pine. It is absolutely beautiful. I would not have the skills, the shop, or the experience without their generosity.

The shop

A small and perfect place to work

I appreciate how everything has its place, and how the work becomes meditative once you start putting a plan together — materials, cut list, and safety all require attention. The shop is a humble little brick building, 24 by 24, heated with a wood-fired stove.