Ron Swanson Knows His Wood | Parks and Recreation

Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) is a woodworking master and can identify the species of wood as well as the technique used in crafting fine wood furniture. He'll also build you a casket if you mention Duke Silver, so watch it.
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ABOUT PARKS AND RECREATION
From Emmy Award-winning executive producers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, "Parks and Recreation" is a hilarious ensemble comedy that follows Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, and her tireless efforts to make her quintessentially American town just a little bit more fun.
Ron Swanson Knows His Wood - Parks and Recreation
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Parks and Recreation
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[@MsBettyRubble]

I love that he mentions Corinthian leather that doesn't actually exist. It was coined by Ricardo Montalbán in the 1970s as a marketing ploy. It's a trick by Ron to see who knows their leather history.

[@Quantari]

And knowing how attentive the Parks and Rec writers are to background detail (seriously), I believe it.

[@MsBettyRubble]

@@Quantari IKR! Tricky writers. I can't believe Ron was able to say it with a straight face.

[@saytr4]

The rich Corinthian leather of the new Chrysler Cordova. I remember the ads well. Although it might have been "Cordoba".... I'm pretty sure it was Cordova. '

[@isaakwelch3451]

@@saytr4 it was the cordoba. The K-cars of the 80s also had optional corinthian leather.

[@CaptainLumpyDog]

Isaak Welch Optional RICH Corinthian leather!

[@andrewsutherland133]

I know exactly how ron feels in the last scene, when you had an idea that you were so excited you already began planning it out, and then someone proposes another idea that everyone loves

[@censusgary]

I have definitely been there.

[@bobbysebringstrout9787]

Yeah

[@blaze4metal]

Typically piggybacking 90% of your idea as well

[@utopiandecay7935]

Imagine admitting that you're a loser

[@jacksongibbs8998]

The same thing happened to me in my Advanced 3-D class.

[@marcoscordova2370]

“It was too perfect, it looked Machine made”

[@kingkazma5937]

I don't trust things that are too perfect either

[@frankwolftown]

There furniture makers who actually do that aren't there?

[@coffeecat4506]

frank wolftown honestly curious, it probably most definitely happened before with someone who takes wood-working very seriously...

[@ryanbarker5217]

i feel the same way about certain things, too. people who make stuff tend to understand it....

[@komarkko1]

@@ryanbarker5217 Kind of starting to understand that. I just started leather crafting, made a leather messenger bag, and decided not to wax it or even burnish the sides, cuz I don't want it to look store made.

[@pickedceasar1216]

You forgot the best one; When he almost totals his truck on a crib he built

[@juanmanuelpenaloza9264]

It's perfectly safe. I tested it with my truck.

[@akbarrmd7714]

That crib will last to many generations of Ann and Chris descendants.

[@censusgary]

“I already have some scale wainscoating.” Ah, Ron, it’s an artist’s fate to be misunderstood.

[@nathancamp6883]

Sorry to be that guy, but it's "wainscoting." Which doesn't look like a word that should exist, I grant you.

[@RByrne]

That's the best line in this.

[@insolentish4529]

He mispronounces that word which caused you to spell it incorrectly

[@repubblesmcglonky8990]

Why are you Scoting Wains to begin with?

[@williamcarestia6757]

I really wish every college professor was like Ron when it came to essays he would say “don’t waste my time writing everything that doesn’t matter just get to the point and make it short”

[@yuvalgabay1023]

One of my school teacher praised one of the classes student for that. Pretty much sayed: this girl mybe writes 2/3 page essays. But nothing is wasted.

[@charlespedersen5752]

that is too good. thing that are more likely to happen are as follows 1. a vegan accommodating somebody who wants meat 2. Disney making a good star wars movie 3. Ron eating something green 4. gravity inverting 5. George R. R. Martin finishing the game of thrones book series 6. Dom giving up family 7. living unassisted in outer space 8. pineapples growing in Alaska 9. little brothers not driving big siblings up the walls with insanity 10. dogs not being the goodst bois

[@tyrant-den884]

That's why I love creative writing classes. You come in with a twenty page short story that could be a 5-page flashfic and they will call you on it.

[@TonkarzOfSolSystem]

That's a trap, they'll still mark you down.

[@OneofInfinity.]

@@charlespedersen5752 Expectations where better 2 years ago and become lower by the minute.

[@khairallahdh]

When Ann warped his idea for a scale model you can see the disappointment in his eyes at not being able to build a wood version.

[@kauskommentator4145]

I wanted to see the scale wainscoting.

[@bobdole4916]

@Ddhfacetyy A good band saw, scroll saw or jig saw can do really thin pieces without a lot of loss and a carpenter of Ron's level could build a jig (a piece you use to make the task easy to repeat) pretty quick. Fun side note - a jig saw is where jigsaw puzzles come from. The blade is shallow enough that it can make really tight turns while cutting, but because it's so shallow you usually need to cut either very thin things or very slowly.

[@Hartwig870]

Thanks for explaining the scene for the visually impaired.

[@koolmckool7039]

@Ddhfacetyy Some people are able to make entire towns out of a single big woodblock.

[@ae4164]

You can see the disappointment in his eyes at not being able to bring his version in. Ron Swanson does not wait for approval to build something out of wood.

[@yousefal-otaibi150]

1:27 christian becksvoort is an actual person ... like... he's an actual legend and he's actually there!!!

[@arjunsatheesh7609]

I like to think that Nick Offerman might not have been even acting in that scene, that might be his actual reaction.

[@yousefal-otaibi150]

@@arjunsatheesh7609 I think he's at least based on the actual Nick

[@livedandletdie]

I'd ask him to sign his autograph on my forehead with a wood carving knife.

[@ryanbarker5217]

@@yousefal-otaibi150 yeah, the real nick is very much into woodworking.

[@RByrne]

Yeah. He's pretty well known to woodworkers. He does a lot of how-to and articles in woodworking publications

[@GeneralG1810]

Fun fact Nick Offerman actually does do his own carpentry work, he did in fact make the canoe that is in the show

[@TommyGlint]

I wouldn’t be the least surprised if Offerman actually had made that canoe for real and brought in on set.

[@SurvivingTheApocalypse]

Prepare to be unsurprised. He did.

[@SideBurn12]

Yup, he apparently actually did. Just watched an interview where one got to see the canoe and he talked about how he brought it to the set.

[@thegeneralissimo470]

If you find it, link it here pls.

[@MNhockeydude35]

@@tmthedragonslayer9203 This is actually where I first heard of nick offerman, in fine woodworking mag...

[@woytowichb]

There’s a whole video series where he walks you through how to build a cedar strip canoe. Search Nick Offerman, Bear Mountain Boats

[@ryanespinoza5617]

Ron is the purest definition of a man

[@someloser2847]

“Ron Swanson knows his wood” That’s what she said

[@chadhamster4202]

Wrong show buddy 🤣 Saying this as a Joke btw

[@Mewithabeard]

A crossover would've been awesome tho😂

[@chadhamster4202]

@@Mewithabeard true

[@matthiasw8777]

Title off your Sextape

[@Veggiematic]

MICHAEL

[@kriss634]

Fun fact, Nick Offerman is a huge woodworking enthusiast in real life.

[@bobdole4916]

It's how he was paying his bills while he was working his way into the industry for his acting - that's gotta be above enthusiast level.

[@RemixedVoice]

@@bobdole4916 he's definitely a pro artisan

[@JENDALL714]

Also, Nick Offerman used to break dance.

[@dicarpio2177]

No Nick offerman IS Ron Swanson in real life

[@THEGRUMPTRUCK]

He also knows how to play the Saxophone so when the directors wanted his alter ego to play an instrument nick Offerman pulled out a Sax and blew them down.

[@syntaxusdogmata3333]

"You could at least use mahogany." My doctor gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look when I said this to him.

[@marcoscordova2370]

Syntaxus Dogmata 💀💀💀💀

[@maryallgier195]

This is my favorite comment

[@censusgary]

I believe mahogany actually contains an irritant. You’re supposed to avoid contact with the dust when you’re sawing it.

[@happeloffical4187]

Gary Cooper well all woods do

[@kirk2767]

Try the line again--when you're getting a colonoscopy.

[@jonathantucker7755]

Ron Swanson respects wood. He's considerate of wood, and doesn't discriminate amongst wood.

[@Lliamhd]

That is not true. He does not like balsa, as can be seen in the clip also.

[@livedandletdie]

@@Lliamhd it is not that dislikes Balsa Wood, it's just that he prefers all other woods more, unless it has been chipped up and then glued together to make Plywood. Or worse LDF, MDF, HDF boards...

[@tmthedragonslayer9203]

Alright, but let's be real here- balsa can barely be considered a wood- it's pitiful.

[@jonathantucker7755]

I hear ya but it is from another show, Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[@jazoinklastname4289]

Do you respect wood suzie?

[@bryanstellfox8521]

The "It looked machine made" scene made me laugh SO HARD because I literally redid a dovetail because the spacing made it look like a router job haha

[@meahall]

Nick Offerman does all this stuff for real as well. I've seen him do articles in woodworking magazines.

[@SidneyPatrickson]

I'm not gay.. but if i was.. you know.. skill is just so sexy.

[@henrybarker6000]

“I was not going to eat it, Carpenter Ron, I was going to lick it.”-Johnny Karate

[@dhaarshenhiragupathy7474]

Finally! I was waiting for this comment hahahahaha

[@henrybarker6000]

WhyThe Face yeah it’s one of my favorite lines

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Johnny Karate looks an awful lot like the lead singer of Mouse Rat.

[@kirstinmccarty8920]

Chris L I think he looks a lot like Burt Macklin, FBI

[@smashskrai]

2:38 on the inside of the box you can see Ron put the initials of all the guys from the parks department, even all of Garry's names are there lmao

[@benselectionforcasting4172]

I had a teacher in HS tell us to follow the Miniskirt rule Long enough to cover everything, short enough to keep it interesting.

[@nomad1-450]

I never even watched "Parks and Rec" I just love Ron Swanson

[@beth12svist]

Likewise.

[@hlp215]

Fun fact: Nick Offerman has his own wood workshop, and some of the finished products are actually from his workshop. The canoe Lucky Boy in series finale being one of the pieces.

[@jjsirrano]

Id like to think that every time ron giggles an angel gets its wings.

[@aaravvaidya]

3:15 Ron was so excited with his idea of a wooden model of the office. He was still explaining his idea when the people went away to make a gingerbread model and left him talking alone. Poor guy 🥺

[@silentblackhole]

"I don't want them to be the kind of people that never work. Live of their trust funds. Who buy their wooden furniture". After that I was done. I can't watch anymore XD

[@livedandletdie]

I don't want to buy wooden furniture either, I've done it and am not proud over it. However I grew up in an apartment, and no place for woodworking, otherwise I'd make myself an Oak Desk, because anything less than Oak is heresy. And only using Oak Heartwood.

[@Chrono_Mitsurugi]

@@livedandletdie Here is a question though. Ron sells his wood working sometimes. So, what does he think of people who buy his work?

[@lordderppington4694]

@@Chrono_Mitsurugi they are suckers.

[@tyrant-den884]

His reaction to Christian Becksvoort may be the best thing in the entire series, and who can blame him. Forget the shaking technique, he's done things with balsa wood that was previously only thought possible with olive wood.

[@akirak1871]

I'm literally getting into woodworking after being inspired by Ron Swanson. I cleaned out the garage and my dad is coming over to help me build a workbench, and I've started shopping for tools.

[@TheMoose126]

I may not be the best with wood, but I can work steel into something beautiful like a Knife or an Axe

[@deviationrunes2848]

If I got a handmade anything from Ron Swanson, I’d cry. It’s just craftsmanship to a level of undetermined .... I’m just at a loss of words of gratitude

[@jimmysandonato3403]

You can purchase from him the actor Nick Offerman actually does wood working professionally he legit made that canoe that's in this clip and that's his actual wood working shop he does canoes, chairs, tables ECT it is a bit pricey but with the quality and the fact that it's made by him totally worth it

[@dashman8499]

I love how Ron knows how different wood tastes

[@DANFINNDAN]

Ron is definitely one of my favorite characters...his faces just make me laugh so much

[@MrPibb23x]

As much as Ron Swanson knows his wood, "Corinthian Leather" is not actually a thing at all. It's a marketing term that was first used in a series of ads for Chrysler in the 70's starring Ricardo Montalban. The first deadpool movie made a joke referencing the same thing.

[@arjunsatheesh7609]

Well he is a wood-worker, I guess he buys his leather.

[@johanness3850]

another theory is that he is saying it on purpose and is testing people to see who is competent.

[@Kaddywompous]

“Reech Kohreenthion Laytherrr...”

[@SS-iu1re]

They don’t make their own lines, it was part of the script

[@martinmi7842]

Find yourself someone who talks and loves you like Ron does with wood

[@Kritacul]

I find myself coming back always watching Ron Swanson clips. And can never get enough.

[@theoneandonlybridge4210]

1:25 gotta love when Ron laughs like a little kid 😂

[@AndrewDeLong]

The best part about having Offerman's character as a woodworker is that he can easily correct any inconsistencies in the writing. The man really is a fine craftsman.

[@bigchiefsmackaho387]

If i could get a cut of this show with nothing but Ron's scenes, it would be my favorite show of all time.

[@senorsnout4417]

I can't be the only person who'd love to woodwork with Ron.

[@PatricksCrazyPlace]

"Ron! What was wrong with that one?!" "It was too perfect. It looked machine made" LOLOLOL! That's the most Ron thing ever said.

[@ScoutSniper3124]

The sawdust in the ear "Just Blow" had me busting out laughing... thanks.

[@actavisprime514]

“When I turned 9, I used my factory wages” 😂

[@smylesg]

You left out Ron's proposal to Diane: I was going to wait until our anniversary, take you somewhere romantic, perhaps in a canoe, most likely in a canoe.... I actually built a canoe for that purpose.

[@Drowsyspace128]

I love how he (almost) only ever looks happy when hes talking about wood or food.

[@Warkive]

2:38 - "Keep your tears in your eyes where they belong."

[@jumpieva]

Nick is truly passionate about this stuff which makes this even greater

[@philiplp9741]

There is no one perfecter for the role of Ron Swanson than Nick Offerman

[@hanscombe72]

Hearing Ron say spalting is one of life’s small moments of perfection.

[@christopheroconnor2800]

3:02 Andy just has his hand in jar of marshmallow fluff and i can’t get over it

[@neelm.59]

I think that’s glue

[@christopheroconnor2800]

@@neelm.59 thanks Neel, been bothering me what was in that jar for 9 months now

[@Dave.S.TT600]

He really does make that stuff. Very skilled.

[@WJen8]

I used to dabble in woodworking, metalworking, and stone sculpting; very good times. The best thing I ever made was a miniature arcship with a metal hull and foundation, with sculpted buildings and mountains, and wood details and landscapes. Mighty proud of that project but unfortunately it was lost during the tornado. I just hope it didn't hurt anyone after the storm subsided.

[@viktorsilva4017]

2:45 i work at a woodshop and i can relate to that more than i wanted

[@lordgeneralmilitantdeezy7550]

Nick offerman will forever be one of the manliest actors I enjoy watching

[@jamesmason8758]

Doesn’t he actually have a wood work brand

[@NoOne-fe3gc]

he actually is a very acomplished woodworker

[@ChefMarkyMarkz]

I bought a subscription to peacock premium, binged watched parks and rec the past week until the beginning of season 7, All of a sudden I'm getting recommendations of parks and rec highlights and recaps. NOT that it's a bad thing.

[@solid311975]

When Ron Swanson giggles an angel gets his wings.

[@creativecookie5]

I giggled just like Ron when I read the title

[@RByrne]

Great thing is he's very talented in real life. I've read several articles of his and used many of his project plans.

[@SFray-sf7gr]

Should make a video of Ron discussing all his different careers and odd jobs hes done over his life.

[@jeremiahrodriguez5626]

1:40 if only history was like this

[@humzanoor]

The wood per minute in this video is astounding.

[@OwenPlant532]

"I was going to lick it" LMAO

[@cypher787]

anyone else find it weird that mark left in season 2 and he was never even mentioned again?

[@MauiWowieOwie]

1:26 that dude is actually a wood-worker and is a master in shaker style.

[@maxpower3555]

“When I was nine I used my factory wages…” lmao

[@Sophie-ud1ys]

He is actually really talented at making stuff out of wood. 😂

[@giusepperesponte8077]

I swear, Ron’s character alone must have doubled the target audience for this show

[@joebingham8935]

Nick offerman also loves wood he has a workshop as well irl

[@schmule460]

The writers for Ron must be some real Wood experts after this show

[@swicksswicks8242]

“It’s saw dust just blow”😂😂😂😂

[@ChristopherTradeshow]

the fact that was actually Christian Beckvoort makes this hilarious @ 1:27

[@brandonperez2267]

I love that they actually got Christian Becksvoort.

[@RockSmithStudio]

"Salt water will warp the wood so keep your tears in your eyes where they belong"🤣

[@jasonlan2076]

not him circling cute for his wood model idea

[@tinoj9661]

fun fact. when the set of the show was demolished nick had salvaged the doors and built some canoe paddles for the cast from it. with pawnee city siguel on it. "it was perfectly good red oak"

[@hemmingwayfan]

"It was too perfect. It looked machine made." I actually completely get where Ron's coming from

[@ajcarter2337]

1:30 Best part that actually is Christian Becksvoort, totally real dude, he's a legend. 😆

[@luismendoza7598]

Would love to have Ron as a friend

[@kiddingme01]

"every MAN knows his wood." ~Ron Swanson

[@arthurybrenin3878]

This is a really good smash-cut.

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I’m fond of DW Drums. They make and made kits out of all kinds of wood: maple, birch, mahogany, purpleheart, cherry, spruce, oak, you name it!!!! John Good, the Sr. Vice President of DW, is called the Wood Whisperer. I don’t exactly recall when, but he discovered that every single piece of wood has a musical note value. Check out the documentary, DW: Masters of Resonance. I watch it every time!! It features some of the greatest drummers to have ever picked up a pair of sticks, including the master himself, the late great Neil Peart!!!!!!

[@RByrne]

Best when him seeing his idol at the awards show. "I never dreamed of seeing him in the flesh". And he's Some regular looking dude with a coffee.

[@toomanyaccounts]

learn about the Shakers and why the furniture they made is collectible antiques

[@SidneyPatrickson]

Last night i dreamed i met him. Nick Offerman not his role. He was nice with a very big wood shop, a kind of bar/restaurant also made by him with one very long table. He had a incredibly nice wife with that kind of smile that makes you feel at home.. i was kind of fangirlish but tried to keep my cool. I wish i could show it to you.. i mean all the tools he had.. a dream.. literally.

[@bratbonanza9023]

All of Ron Swanson's wood...ready to be worked

[@cyriszx]

Forgot the part where Ron and his son rips the carpet and finds beautiful wooden floor.

[@cityhawk]

In a way, Ron reminds me so much of my father. The only exception is that my father had a love for technology and Ron had no time for it. Plus no Tammys that I know of.

[@soupafi]

1:25 Ron having a fangirl moment was great

[@Abelhawk]

Ron Swanson _and_ Nick Offerman know their wood :D

[@jamesjesus1828]

Tammy knows his wood too

[@jeremykeiser9621]

1:20 home depot employees when you try to buy lumber

[@rmd8873]

must be amongst the best tv characters ever!

[@bexyPTX]

You know maybe the wooden model of the office would’ve been the right move because then it would’ve lasted. Ron has a point.

[@Bakebake93]

Ron knows the taste of his woods but won't let Andy taste some.

[@jonessoda4me1]

Ron Swanson, the Woodmaster, epic and private

[@wendella.4074]

Was there ever an episode where Ron walked through an IKEA store saying “No no no, NO NOO NOO, NO WAYS IN HELL…GET ME THE *beep* OUTTA HERE…”, because if so, it’ll be a must see for me

[@eonprime8538]

me before watching : is this just a video of ron swanson naming wood types? after starting the video : *it is :)*

[@Michael-kd1ho]

Wow, look at this video. So much wood, ready to be worked.

[@boazmckoy1060]

Take down this public compilation of me and my beautiful wood KNOW!!!!

[@finnishnin]

I'm pretty sure the scripts said "Nick says something appropriate about Wood" whenever Ron went on about wood, woodworking, and old wooden ships. Offerman is a talented and seasoned woodworker so why not consult the expert?

[@turbotaku9317]

I got an ad about woodworking for this vid

[@calebsoria1901]

The fact that simply tasting it and defining balsa with mahogany

[@abbashaidari8313]

Woodworking or any other form of hobbies that involve building something as just as fulfilling.. It's incredible how it feels to actually make something. The long intricate process is almost meditative..

[@beth12svist]

Yeah. I find knitting and handsewing pretty meditative, too.

[@alexanderquintanilla5737]

It was too perfect