The easiest way to carry a Pioneer chair is to have it horizontal by your side, with your arm over it, hugging it to your side. Now, it will be balanced and will snuggle into your side and travel with you effortlessly.

Grab ahold of the top two rope knots and pull upward; you will see the seat slats raise. Then, if necessary, give the chair a slight shake. At the back of the chair, your will notice four places where the slats meet together. Your Pioneer Chair is most stiff upon purchase. It will become easier to open and close as it breaks in.

Both Mahogany and Ash are very strong woods, they have excellent strength-to-weight ratio and our rope is extremely durable. A Pioneer Chair can support up to 300 lbs.

Yes, in fact, they are endorsed by a certified Sports Physician and Chiropractor. When seated, the knees are positioned above the hips, relieving tension from the low back. As the muscles are relaxed, circulation improves so that the body can provide areas of need, with healing compounds like anti-inflammatories and endorphins, the body's natural pain killer. The rope also allows for some give, so that the wood fits into the contours of the back, comfortably.

Very easy! We receive excellent feedback from elderly people, and those with back and hip pain, for this reason. The chair is designed so that you sit comfortably, cradled by the wood. When standing, a slight rock out of it will do the trick. For people who have problems with their back or knees, the best way to get out of the chair is to swing both legs to the side, place a hand on the back of the chair and another on the seat of the chair, and you will be able to push yourself up with ease.

In our experience, the chairs weather best naturally. Our hardwoods (African Mahogany and Ash) are naturally weather-resistant due to the oily property of the wood itself. They will stand up for years outdoors, but they do weather over time, changing color and fading with exposure to direct sunlight. If you do choose to finish a chair, we have found that Teak oil works well or you can ask your local hardware store for advice; recommendations may depend on the conditions of your local area. Keep in mind that it is imperative to use a translucent stain or preservative, and not a latex-based paint product. The easiest way to apply the finish is to use a foam brain and cut it to fit within the cracks. The rope is UV and mold-resistant.

Like all natural wood chairs, Pioneer Chairs naturally weather with time, changing color and fading with exposure to direct sunlight. The chairs on our back porch have been exposed to all weather conditions for over 5 years, and apart from natural weathering, they hold up great! It is completely up to you, if you'd like to preserve the finished look of the hardwood or, allow them to weather naturally. We do recommend bringing the chairs in during the winter season.

As a preventative measure, we recommend bringing the chair indoors during the winter. Occasional rainfall will not harm the chair but, if you do notice discoloration, the best way to clean this is by diluting white vinegar with water, applying to the areas, and removing with a gentle brush. A light sanding with fine sandpaper may also help. Having said this, many of our customers leave our chairs out all year long. Even as they weather, they will remain structurally sound. The rope is rot and UV-resistant.

Ash is lighter in color than Mahogany and Ash is heavier and has beautiful grains. It is an extremely dense and durable wood and is the same wood used in baseball bats and billy clubs. Mahogany comes in rich and subtle hues and is another beautiful wood which has historically been the trusted material for boat-building and fine furniture for many years. They are both durable hardwoods, which resist weathering naturally, due to the oils contained in the wood.

Return Policy: If within the first 14 days of receiving your chair and/or table, you are not 100% satisfied, we are happy to accept your return. Providing top-quality furniture and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Within 30 days of general use, chairs break-in and minor wear and tear or stains are expected. Since, all our products are issued brand new, we charge a 20% restocking in order to refurbish to new condition. This fee is in addition to return shipping costs.