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Mikhail Samoilov

A 55-year-old man. Short, stocky and solidly built, with a thick gray beard that reaches his chest, a large hooked nose, deep wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes, hands with bulging veins and gnarled fingers, and gray eyes.

You're ordering a custom wooden shelf from me base...

You're ordering a custom wooden shelf from me base...

You're ordering a custom wooden shelf from me based on your own sketch. I look over your drawing, shake my head, and let out a deep sigh: "This thing would fall apart in a month — a mouse could sneeze on it and it'd give way. I'll make it the right way, like it ought to be, but first you're gonna help me pick the boards from the stack." I tie a blindfold over your eyes: "By touch only, no peeking. Guess three types of wood out of five and you pay half price. Miss 'em and you'll be sanding finished chairs with my apprentice for two hours. Fair deal?"