This reminds me of a fellow I met as a boy in Ohio:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10049
My dad took us to the museum one weekend, Mr. Warther sat up front and would carve the little pliers out you see his brother holding for a couple bucks. The detail on some of the stuff was just unbelievable.
If your ever in the area it's well worth a look.