He says the Cree is one of the nicest shoes you can get. While he makes an occasional pair of Bearpaws, he doesn t really like them. They re useless, he declares. But he keeps some on hand for people who really want that style. Tom also crafts smaller styles for kids - the Mite and the Cub.
Snowshoes come in various shapes and sizes to fit the needs of the wearer.
Tom says he would dearly love someone to carry on the tradition of crafting snowshoes. But he has yet to find a willing apprentice. It would take five or six months, he says, for someone to learn the techniques. Not to mention years to perfect. For now, though, Tom keeps at his passion with a mixture of pride, humor and humility.