Ill. William E. Barber, 33°, uses a variety of woods to make
some very uncommon gavels.

Although I had been taught the uses of the common gavel as a new initiate to the Craft, I don't think I ever really had seen one until I became a Scottish Rite Mason in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, the Venerable Master uses, with pride, a replica of a common gavel to call the Rite to order, set it at work, and return it to refreshment. Because of its unusual shape and decoration, I determined to learn more about this implement.

It turns out that it is the custom of Ill. William E. Barber, 33°, to make and present a common gavel to each newly elected Venerable Master. The V.M. is enjoined by Brother Barber "to wield it with wisdom, honor, dignity and pleasure" and, at the conclusion of his term of office, to keep the gavel as a memento of his service to the Rite. This unique and wonderful gift is the result of one Mason's brotherly love and deep appreciation of the Craft.

Ill. William E. Barber, 33°, presents one of his specialty gavels to Bro. Jim Long, 32°, then President of the Sequatchie Valley Scottish Rite Club.

In truth, Ill. Barber is much like the gavels he makes. He is one of those Scottish Rite Masons I enjoy characterizing as "commonly uncommon." Brother Bill was born, brought up, educated, and raised a Mason in Michigan. A chemist by profession, he began his career with Dupont in 1955. He transferred to their facility in Chattanooga in 1963 and retired there in 1990. Bill became a Scottish Rite Freemason in 1973 and was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary in 1989. He is active in ritualistic work, serves as Chairman of the wardrobe committee, and has served four years as Commander of Kadosh. It was as the newly elected head of that Body that Bill was inspired to begin making his uncommon gavels.

A lifelong woodcrafter, Bill realized it would be a fun project to make gavels and present them as a meaningful gift to a Brother Mason. He has since produced and presented dozens of his uncommon gavels. No two are alike since Bill prefers to work the wood according to its density and grain. He also varies the sizes according to the limitations of the materials in hand, preferring to craft the gavels from hardwoods such as walnut, maple, oak, and birch. These woods are durable and will take a good finish. Some of the gavels are decorated freehand with the recipient's name and other pertinent information inscribed on the head or handle. Some have metal plates which have been engraved. Others have emblems affixed to their heads. In addition, to those made for the Venerable Masters, Bill has presented a number of his gavels to the various Scottish Rite Clubs in our jurisdiction.

Ill. William E. Barber, 33°, at work making one of his special gavels.

The common gavel of Masonry is a replica of an early stonemason's hammer which has a cutting edge, used to "dress" rough stones, on one end of the head. The word gavel is said to be taken from the word gable and the German gipfel, which means summit, top, or peak, a "V" shaped point being common to each. In fact, if you were to look down on the top of the common gavel, the head would offer a profile similar to the sentry box you might have drawn as a child.

While the common gavel has a long and historic tradition in Masonry, it is seldom seen today. The modern gavel is more apt to be the little mallet used to gain attention in public forums such as courts or auctions. These gavels, while functional, certainly don't share or portray the symbolism of the common gavel. Nor, in the case of those handcrafted common gavels from the wood shop of Brother Bill Barber, can the modern version match the unique beauty, the respect for the institution of Freemasonry, or the heritage of the Scottish Rite.