Big Changes Ahead: Why We’re Becoming Bad Owl Tool

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that I appreciate precision. Whether it’s dialing in a table saw fence to a thousandth of an inch or getting the perfect finish on a piece of walnut, details matter.

That’s why I’ve taken a hard look at our own "finish"—specifically, our name. After a lot of coffee, a few late nights in the shop, and plenty of internal debate, I’ve decided to make a big change.

Norfolk Wood Shop is officially beginning the transition to become Bad Owl Tool.

Now, before you worry that we’ve been bought out by some private equity firm that’s going to replace our high-end inventory with stamped steel junk, let me stop you right there. We are the same team, the same ownership, and I still care about quality tools just as much as you do. Nothing about our standards is changing.

So, why the rebrand? Honestly, it comes down to clarity and ambition. Here is exactly why we are making the switch.

1. We Are Bigger Than "Norfolk"

I love Norfolk, Virginia. It’s our home base. But the reality is that the vast majority of our business isn't local anymore. We are shipping planers to Oregon, clamps to Texas, and layout tools to Maine.

Having a hyper-local name made sense when we started, but in the digital age, it makes us sound smaller than we are. I want woodworkers across the country to know that we are a national resource for serious tools, not just the local spot down the street.

2. We Sell Tools, We Don’t Build Cabinets

This is the big one. If I had a nickel for every time someone called us asking to refinish their grandmother’s rocking chair or build a custom vanity for their bathroom, I’d have enough money to buy... well, probably a Festool track saw to go with all the blades we sell.

The name "Wood Shop" implies that we are a carpentry business or a furniture maker or lumber supplier. While we are woodworkers, our business is selling you the gear you need to build those things yourself. Changing the name helps us clear up that confusion immediately.

3. We Sell Tools, Not Lumber

Piggybacking on the point above, "Wood Shop" also confuses people looking for raw materials. While I love a good stack of 8/4 Cherry as much as the next guy, our focus is on the machinery, hand tools, supplies, and accessories that cut, shape, and finish that wood.

Bad Owl Tool puts the focus right where it belongs: on the tools.

4. We Are Starting to Make Our Own Tools

This is the most exciting part for me personally. We aren't just retailers anymore; we are moving into manufacturing--slowly, very slowly. I want to bring our own innovations to the market, and we needed a brand identity that could stand on its own against the big names in the industry.

We are kicking this off with the Bad Owl Tool mobile web app, but that is just the beginning. We have physical tools in the pipeline that meet our obsessive standards for accuracy and durability. We’re building a brand that represents the next generation of workshop precision.

5. The Logo is Just Better

Let’s be real for a second. Aesthetic matters. We’re woodworkers; we like things that look good. I think the new Bad Owl identity is sharper, more memorable, and simply looks way cooler on a sticker or a hat. Sometimes, that’s reason enough.

What This Means for You

This isn't going to happen overnight. This will be a slow transition. You’re going to see "Norfolk Wood Shop" and "Bad Owl Tool" co-existing for a while as we update our website, our emails, and our signage.

• Your Orders: Business as usual. Shipping times and service remain unchanged.
• The Website: You might notice the logo swap and some URL redirects. Don't panic; you’re in the right place.
• Support: The same knowledgeable humans are still answering the phone and emails.

We are excited about this next chapter. We’re building a brand that reflects the precision, humor, and grit of the woodworking community. Thanks for sticking with us—whether you knew us as Norfolk Wood Shop or you’re just meeting us as Bad Owl.

Now, let's get back to work!

~James