PAUL SMITHS -- They've already had a 15-minute turn or two at fame.
But the Woodsmen's Team at Paul Smith's College took another whack at it Thursday, and a few big stumps splintered for the camera.
A film crew from The History Channel was on campus to capture footage for a modern-lumberjack segment of "Modern Marvels."
TOP TEAM
Paul Smith's College Woodmen's Team has the best collegiate ax men and women in the country, forestry professor Brett McLeod said.
"They currently hold all the records on the East Coast."
Holding all the records includes the fastest-recorded times for chopping wood, cross-cut sawing, stock-saw races and accuracy in ax throwing for traditional lumbermen's skills turned sport.
"Modern Marvels" is reporting on the evolution of logging equipment and technique from men working in the woods more than a century ago to the precision "racing" equipment of today, McLeod said.
SPEEDY SPLITTING
As the team relaxed in the Forestry Cabin between takes Thursday morning, they basked humbly in the attention.
"I haven't told my mother yet," grinned Ben Rubinfeld under a bright-red, knitted cap.
Was he ready for a 15-minute shot at fame?
"I've already had a few," the college senior from Bradford, Vt., quipped with a smile.
As cameras rolled, Rubinfeld pulled off the signature red cap and tore into a vertical chop. The shiny, razor-sharp ax sliced through a standing piece of 10-inch hardwood in less than 24 seconds like a hot knife dropped through butter.
The cameras rolled for about four hours altogether for what the students guess will be a 15-minute portion of the show.
About 10 senior members of the 30-person team were filmed for the segment.
special GEAR
After reducing a three-foot stump to splinters in barely 20 seconds, Curt Karboski, 20, who is from Parish, rolled back his Carhartt pant legs, revealing a protective layer of chain mail.
The cameras zoomed in.
"This one is from a fireplace screen," he said of the shin mail, "I made it myself."
Karboski held the ax blade close to the lens.
"Have you ever shaved with that?" film director Steve Durgin asked.
"I have," Karboski said.
The racing ax is a special piece of equipment, explains team coach Kevin Ransom, evolved from the early hand-pounded iron blades that felled the forests of North America.
Ransom, a graduate of SUNY Environmental Sciences and Forestry College, grew up in Saranac Lake.
"Curt (Karboski) qualified for the Steel Collegiate series," Ransom said of earlier fame.
Being filmed for national television did create a few jitters, he said.
"This is kind of like being in a professional meet. It's nerves. They're seeing a different aspect of the sport."
And lumbering sports have become hugely popular in recent years, he said, moving out of the woods into mainstream.
"There is an element of danger to it. But from an academic perspective, it's moving away from the bad old days, when logging was seen as contrary to good environmental policy," Ransom said. "This has made it out of the woods."
Old-time loggers had to fell trees in good time to get good money. But now, brawn gives way to method.
"It's just not some brute force. A lot of brains go into lumber sports; it takes a lot of good training."
LUMBERJILLS
Paul Smith's College also holds the No. 1 spot in the Northeast for Lumberjills, the women's team.
Megan Veley, 20; Jackie June, 19; and Maegan Dills, 20, talked about their saw-wielding prowess.
June owns the record for stock-saw racing, a chainsaw competition.
"It's a race in two cuts," she grins, "one down and up through, whoever does it fastest wins."
Her winning time: 8 seconds.
"I always thought woodsmen's competition was an interesting thing," Veley added. "It's a stress reliever."
The women don't begrudge the sport's title gender: woodsmen.
"It's what they were called historically. For us, it's great to be able to go in and show them we can do the same," Veley said.
"We have bigger shoes to fill."
The "Modern Marvel" show on "Axs" will air May 7.
kdedam@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Staff Photo/Kim Smith Dedam
-
Staff Photo/Kim Smith Dedam
Discussion
ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.
Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
'Modern Marvels' at Paul Smith's College
'Modern Marvels' crew films Woodsmen's Team
- Breaking News
-
-
Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire, but cats likely perished.
-
Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
-
Westport fire guts home
- New Today
-
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
Asian Buffet Hibachi and Sushi has been closed since a sprinkler system malfunctioned Dec. 19, 2011.
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
- Local News
-
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
Plattsburgh meeting to address concerns of area child care providers being hit with a fee for union representation even though they never joined the union.
-
Essex County craves sales-tax hike
The extra ¼ percent would bring total sales tax to 8 percent, like neighboring counties.
-
Ernie's Market closes without warning
A sign on the door of the popular Westport store expresses appreciation "to all of our loyal customers."
-
Boy released from hospital following serious injury
Firefighters had to extricate 10-year-old Dawson Dessureault from a car involved in a crash Friday, Feb. 3.
-
Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
-
Council: state budget cuts threaten Adirondacks
Adirondack Council calls for an immediate increase in the state's Environmental Protection Fund and in EnCon staffing.
-
Elizabethtown wastewater plans updated
It is expected that it will take about six months to have the necessary paperwork filed, get permits, receive responses from the property owners to determine hookup locations and get easements.
-
Fort Ti brings in more money
Donations at the national historic landmark increased by 12 percent last year.
-
Saranac Lake sparkles
The Winter Carnival continues through Sunday.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 8, 2012
Clinton Co. Sheriff's Office investigating lost restaurant money; Peruvian arrested at Champlain border.
-
Seniors click toward computer literacy
The Clinton County Senior Computer Club is a great way for seniors to learn computer basics at the Senior Center.
- February 7, 2012
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
The 2 percent deduction from Social Services stipends helps pay for advocacy efforts by the Voice of Organized Independent Child Care Educators. A meeting in Plattsburgh on Thursday will address that issue and others.
-
Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
-
New Essex County courtroom has security issues
There's no line of sight between the judge's bench and the witness stand, so renovations must be made.
-
Meeting of the minds on fake pot
Students were among those who spoke up at a session in Essex County, helping to make a plan to combat the dangers of synthetic marijuana.
-
State considers bobcat management plan
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public comments on a plan that will help officials adjust hunting and trapping seasons for the species statewide.
-
Two displaced in Westville fire
A woodstove is likely the cause of a blaze that left a farmhouse a total loss, just months after being purchased by an engaged couple.
-
Report: Power project to create many jobs
Champlain Hudson Power Express project is also expected to increase New York state's gross domestic product.
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
- Recent Article Comments
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
