Risdon Rigs, The history of a family business

[Reddog]

As I read others threads, I am very proud of the things my Parents have acomplished.
The Argus press did a nice artical on their business and I would like to share it. Also some time in the next week channel 12 out of Flint is going to have an interview with him airing.

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Local craftsman makes dog sleds shipped worldwide

Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak A snowshoe is reflected in the lenses of Clyde Risdon's glasses as he threads the frame. By CHERYLL WARREN Argus-Press Staff Writer
Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:35 PM EST

LAINGSBURG - One local man acquired a unique skill while living in the Upper Peninsula almost 30 years ago.

Clyde and Pat Risdon grew up in the Laingsburg and Bath communities. Because of a love for hunting and fishing they moved to Iron River in the Upper Peninsula, where they lived for about 15 years.

When their children were in high school, they made a decision to come back to the Laingsburg area to provide more after-school activities for their children. They would also be closer to the college their daughter would eventually attend.

While in Iron River, the Risdons became part of the sled-dog racing world, and Clyde Risdon, who had worked as a machinist and welder, was asked to make a dog sled for a friend who raced dogs.

Risdon became busy making dog sleds for more and more people.

"I sold my first sled in 1980," he said. "I had built a couple in the years before that."

From that point on, the call for his sleds became so great that making sleds kept him and his family busy most of the time.

"I quit racing dogs, I got so busy building sleds that I didn't have time to race. We were so busy from September to April that, once we started making sleds, we were working 16 to 18 hours a day."

Their family is grown now, and Risdons' sled-building business has slowed a bit, but he still keeps busy.

"We ship all over the world," Risdon said. A recent order was shipped to Russia.

Lately, Risdon has also started making snowshoes, kayaks and fish nets as a sideline to his sled-making business. His snowshoes are popular, as well. Last year, he shipped several sets to a power company in Alaska when the area had a heavy snow. Most of his snowshoes are sold out of a sport shop in Iron Mountain.

The dog sleds are mostly sold over their Web site, www.risdonrigs.com, and through dog sled magazines.

"Word of mouth used to be our biggest way of making sales," Risdon said. "It probably still is. When someone purchases a sled from a long way away, they want to have some idea that they are not being taken to the cleaners."

Risdon continues to make wooden dog sleds, usually out of white ash, although his most expensive sled is made of aluminum and plastic. Risdon uses his welding and machinist skills when he makes the sleds and the sled hooks. The harnesses are made in the Risdon Rigs shop behind his house.

The snowshoes are made of hackberry wood, which Risdon is able to purchase locally through a small sawmill.

"We are on the northern edge of where this wood is grown," he said.

The Risdons have thought about moving back to the Upper Peninsula. However, their children, who are now grown, live nearby with their families, and family ties keep them close to Laingsburg.

Nevertheless, their home is decorated with pictures and memorabilia from the sled-dog races they love.

Risdon still has one of the original sleds he made and one used by Dee Dee Jonrowe in an Iditarod race. The sled developed a crack and she sent it back to Risdon for a replacement.

Risdon makes and donates a sled as a fundraiser every year to the races in Tok, Alaska. As a thank you, one of Tok's residents sends the Risdons handmade beadwork that graces their mantle every March as the Iditarod nears.

Risdon will sell, by appointment, any of his products out of his shop. He may be reached at 517-651-6960. If a visitor is lucky, he may catch a glimpse of a sled that took part in a race miles away.

[Burlkraft]

Hey Wally,

Nice article and well deserved too. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting your Dad and seeing the shop and the sleds.  ;D  ;D

The way things look you are carrying the family success and further enriching the deep family history.
Now ya gotta have a couple a kids to pass it all on to  ;D  ;D  ;D

Corley will give ya tips if ya need  :D  :D  :D

Keeps on snowin' I m gonna have ta order a pair of them snowshoes  :D  :D  :D

Congrats and say "Hi" to your Dad for me  ;)

[Paul_H]

Wally,

I'd be proud too 

I had a good walk through your parents website,there designs are diverse and sturdy looking.There are a couple dogsledding outfits near here,one is called "dogs with jobs.I'll keep my eyes peeled and see if they are using Risdon Rigs.

[Corley5]

That's really  8) Wally 

[Jeff]

Wally thats great! Hey, any idea when the interview will air? I get that channel here on cable. Will channel 12 give you a copy of the interview so we could put it here?

[Reddog]

Thanks for your kind comments.

Jeff, right now they are saying monday during the 6pm news. But they have changed it twice already.
We are checking on getting a copy. Also I am watching to see if they put it on their web page, I should be able to get it from there also.

[SwampDonkey]

Way to go Reddog.  8)

My grandfather always wanted a team, but never went ahead. He raised cocker spaniels for bird hunting, but never had any huskies. Near here, in northern Maine they have an international dog sled race every winter. I have never gone myself, it's a ways from here to travel. And winter being winter usually holds me back from those adventures from home.

Congratulations for your moment of fame.  ;D ;)

[fishpharmer]

Thats cool, don't see alot of snowshoes and sleds around here ;D

Fascinating, I guess the Iditarod is the only dog sled race I have ever heard anything about.  Cool your dad made some sleds in it.  I will never look at it the same way.  Its a small world.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

Awsome story Reddog I love reading about family History/Buisnesses  ;D ;D 8) 8) Ive always wanted to try sleding myself  ;) ;D 8) But there being not much snow down this way causes abit off a problem Mate  ;) :D :D :D ;D ;)

Keep up the good work   ;) ;D 8) 8)

Reguards Chris

[Reddog]

Meadows Miller,

They have shipped a few sleds downunder. They hold a few races up in the mountains when there is snow.

[Reddog]

Jeff it is too air tonight during the 5:30 news on channel 12 out of flint mi. 2/23/09

[Jeff]

I'll see if I can capture it somehow. 

[Ed]

I read that in the paper Reddog. That was a good article!

Ed

[Reddog]

Here is a link to the  video that 12 news did.

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/video?id=6673921

And Jeff, dad called me today and said "we got a call today from someone that had seen the information on the Forestry place on the Internet where you put the article"
I got a good laugh out of that. A calculator is about all the computer he uses.

[SwampDonkey]

Some dads don't want a computer, old school boys. ;D