<font= red><i>and the way i seen Martin was that he is one of the worst chain filer's around</i></font>
No, I'm the worst filer around. Well, I used to be. Now, it's my neighbor, Tim.
I got better after reading Art's posts. even if Art's techniques don't directly apply to frozen hardwood in Minnesota, the ideas of paying attention to what you're doing, what it does, and why that might be apply to anything. Filing chain or shoveling horse manure.
I don't think Art Martin ever sold himself as the greatest filer in the world, just that he has done some filing. Others painted him as an icon. I think it was just a thing that got out of hand, proabably even embarassed Art a little. I do know that some guys seemed to think of Art as a close friend after only knowing him a short while.
Maybe that says much more than whether or not he's kept his filing skills at the leading edge. I don't know Art, but I do read the posts here occasionally....and for the life of me, I don't understand the reason everyone gets their undies in a bundle over this.