About the Old Tar
David Carter, the Old Tar Woodworker, is a Veteran who served his country in the United States Navy for more than 34 years. The son of a woodworker and artist, David grew up with a passion for making creations from wood. Throughout his Navy career, he used his talents to make projects for friends and co-workers and participated in many community service projects requiring woodworking and carpentry skills. Since retiring from the Navy, David has continued to hone his skills by making projects for his "forever home" in Tennessee and his adopted hometown of Dunlap, TN. Now that he has reconstituted his workshop and gotten his home in order, David now offers his skills and talents to you, turning your woodworking ideas into beautiful reality.
What can the Old Tar create for you today?
The term "Old Tar" comes from the days of sail and wooden ships, when Sailors would board enemy ships in battle and engage in hand to hand combat. Since long hair was the fashion of the era, they would often wear it tied in a knot at the base of the neck. Before entering battle, they would dip this knot in tar that would soon harden and protect their necks from blows from behind. Sailors, therefore, became known as “tars,” and an “Old Tar” was clearly one honored and respected for his knowledge, wisdom, and long experience at sea.
In today's Navy, the ”Old Tar” title honors the U.S. Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) serving on active duty with the earliest ESWS qualification date. David was designated as the Navy's "Old Tar" in October 2020 and served in that role until his retirement in 2021.