The 92-year-old wood carving master, the last representative of the craft.

A 92-year-old wood carving master living in Samsun stands out as the last representative of the craft. The master, who exports the wooden cart and oxen he makes to Japan, said he enjoys spending the last days of his life carving wood.

Mehmet Pak, 92 years old, who turned the lower floor of his house located on a steep slope in the İlkadım district into a workshop, has been continuing his childhood passion for wood carving for 25 years after retirement. After 35 years of public service, Pak worked in a haberdashery for 12 years and has been carving wood in his workshop for the last quarter-century. The miniature wooden cart and oxen made by Mehmet Pak, who possesses countless skills in his shaky hands, are in demand both domestically and internationally.

“I am bringing historical values to life”

Mehmet Pak stated that he carves wood to keep historical values alive without concerns about making money, saying, “You can’t do without working. You have to work to stay fit. If you don’t work and just sit, you will go to the grave quickly. Working is always good. I worked as a civil servant at the airport for 35 years. I worked in a haberdashery for 12 years. I even worked as a shepherd when I was a child. I loved playing with knives very much. Wherever there was soft wood, I would let the sheep graze there. Nowadays, I make historical carts, oxen, and wooden materials in my workshop. I am mostly bringing historical values to life. I want this tradition not to be lost. Nowadays, nobody knows about carts or oxen. I keep myself occupied by making these. I have no concern about making money,” he said.

“I sell the ox and cart for 1,500 TL”

Mehmet Pak mentioned that he sells the cart and ox for a small amount considering his effort, saying, “To make a wooden ox, I need to handle the wood at least 13 times. It is not known how long it will take to shape it. Sometimes it can be done in 10 days. Many parts need to come together. Making an ox is not easy. Besides these, I also make ladles, spoons, sieves, cradles, canes, and cutting boards. There are buyers for my products. Everyone wants to buy the ox cart. There is no one else in the Black Sea region who makes them besides me. When I die, this job will also end. I sell an ox with its cart for 1,500 TL. That doesn’t cover the costs, but I make and sell them to complete the day. Especially, there are people who come from Sinop to buy these oxen and sell them abroad. Some want to buy it for 1,000 TL, but I sell it for at least 1,500 TL. I don’t want to sell it for too cheap because it’s a lot of effort,” he said.

“I did not accept the offer from the ministry”

Pak also stated that he did not accept the teaching offer from the Ministry due to his age, saying, “Today’s youth looks to their parents for support. The world has changed. Most young people do not like jobs. They are all interested in mobile phones. I have not taught my craft to anyone else. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism came. They showed me a place and provided materials. They said I could both produce and sell there. I told them that I am 92 years old and cannot train an apprentice, and I do not want to work there. I told them that I complete my day and did not accept it. I also cannot teach anyone who wants to learn this job. My mind can no longer handle it. An apprentice means responsibility. There are many dangerous tools in the workshop. There are electric saws, knives, and lathes. I cannot work comfortably because someone might hurt themselves. I am the last representative of this craft. Right now, I find it enjoyable to pass the time by working while relaxing my mind,” he said.

Mehmet Pak added that even in the final days of his life, engaging with wood gives him strength and joy.