My background is one rooted not just in Marketing, but also in carpentry and construction. While I was working on my marketing degree at CU, I worked in a number of theaters designing and building sets. After graduating, I started working at an agency in Boulder, Colorado. I found myself longing for the freedom and creativity that came with working in theaters. In my free time, I set up a shop in my garage and began woodworking as a creative outlet and as a way to clear my head after long days at the agency.

In the world of woodworking, sanding is one of, if not the most important steps of completing a project, but it’s a step that no one enjoys. It’s tedious, time consuming, and messy, but always worth it in the end. You work your way up from 80 grit, a coarse sandpaper to remove excess wood glue or existing varnish. Then, to 120 grit, a utility sandpaper often used for hand sanding and to prep for paint. A lot of people will stop at 120 grit for general woodworking. However, to get the best quality finish, you need to go above and beyond and use 220 grit. This produces ultra-smooth surfaces on wood and allows for a perfect finish when using lacquer or polyurethane. 

When I started Two Twenty Grit, I struggled to come up with a name in line with my vision for the company. One afternoon, I was in my garage working on a project and a neighbor came by to ask if I had any sandpaper. I asked what grit he needed and he said it didn’t matter… I showed him what I had and he asked why I had 220 grit. 

“Isn’t 120 grit usually enough?”

At this moment I knew 220 grit was everything the company stood for. It’s the extra step that others aren’t willing to take. It’s the little details that most won’t notice, but those that do will appreciate. And it’s the act of sticking to a process, from the rough drafts (the 80 grit), to the revisions (the 120 grit), and the finishing touches…

That is Two Twenty Grit.

Kyle May
Founder and President