I am the only Hand Routed Whiskey Barrel Carver in the Nation. I’ve done work for major distilleries and The Who’s Who of the Bourbon & Whiskey Industry like the one pictured for Freddie Noe the 8th Generation Master Distiller for Jim Beam.
I also make signs for Sports Teams, Portrait's, Wedding Gifts, Hunting & Fishing Scenes, Subdivision Entrance, Cabins, Lakehouse, Ranches, Custom Welcome, Memorials, Album Covers. Fill out the form below and I will reach out to you.
Matt, aka the “Old Man” of Old Man Bay Signs, is like a walking, talking CNC. Using his trusted palm router, he carves intricate and detailed wooden signs you’d swear couldn’t be made by hand… or palm.
But for Matt, sign-carving represents a lot more than just a hobby. It has quite literally become his therapy.
After 25 years as a firefighter and first responder, Matt was diagnosed with PTSD. When he felt most hopeless, another chance at happiness came with a seemingly simple request from his wife: to make a “Welcome” sign for their front porch.
Matt made the sign… then another. He kept carving new signs for friends, family, local businesses — and with each creation, his skills improved.
Now, Matt is carving custom, hand-routed signs from segments of old whiskey barrels. It’s a slow and labor-intensive process, but the end result is spectacular.
Matt’s advice to others is simple: “Find your thing, maybe it’s sign carving, or painting, whatever it is, find something that will bring you joy and purpose.”
Old Man Bay Signs featured in Voyage STL Magazine’s Most Inspiring Stories in St Louis.
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