OT... Poking sticks...

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I was planning to use a rasp to get the rough shape. However there seems to be quite a bit of material to remove. I might try a chisel. I'm not much of a woodworker though. It's sort of learn as I go.

I should write a book. Woodworking for the slow of mind.

Now you go get some kip. Whatever that is. I reckon that's sleep or some form of alcohlic beverage. :)
 
You'll probably see it on ebay listed as "lump of hickory".
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Bruise, You could drill a hole in bottom, glue in an extension cord,
and call it a replacement handle for an Electric Sledge Hammer.:D :D
 
Osage Orange ("Bow Wood" "Bois D'arc") is good. It is sold on eBay in slabs thick enough and long enough to make several nice staves/sticks. Wonder how they deliver and at what cost?

White ash is also good for that purpose.

(And Bruise, while you're there, they're also selling "Gurka-Arabian Triple Knives" on eBay. :D )
 
Thanks for the link. I was wondering how long to make my hickory lump. There's a page on there with the measuring criteria. :)
 
Try here for synthetic:

USN/Toxic by Blair

Again, cross your fingers that it works. The thread you want to look for is " ordering info for nylon 6/6 staff "

Also look at the top for the latest price list.
 
Bruise, just order an appropriate sized dowell. You can probably get 3 ramin 1 1/8" thick, 4' long dowells delivered for $25 or so. Sand lightly, coat with tung oil.

Voila.
 
I'm not a member of USN so I can't get in. I was going to register there at one point but heard some rumblings that it was kind of a mean spirited place. Not wanting to get tracked down and beat up, I didn't join.

Is it worth signing up there?

As for the Top Ramen dowels, I'll keep it in mind when I finish my amorphous hickory walking chunks. :)

Thanks for all the input.

I should save up for some kind of digital picture taking device.
 
I made a couple of amorphous birch walking lumps by whittling down some branches with my 11" BDC, then using sanding blocks.
I got them all smooth just in time for winter, when it's too cold to stain them outside. Wah.
 
There's plenty of knowledgeable folks and good info at USN. They're not mean, it just takes awhile to get acquainted. Kinda like we get around here after a dozen trolls in a month.
 
It's not just micarta that can be dangerous to work.

I think it was R.W. Loveless that commented in his book on knifemaking, (the old one with W. Moran), that some hardwood dust can be toxic as well. If you are just using hand tools then this is probably not going to be an issue. If you are using power tools, then wear a dust mask.

If you are actually going to walk anywhere with the stick, you might want to consider weight. There's a reason why Blackthorn is a popular traditional choice.
 
Bruise, In another thread about walking sticks and flutes, Yvsa mentioned that clarinets were made from some rather tough hardwoods. You should go to your local pawn shop and pick up an old used beat up clarinet and get to whittling. A fine and Unique walking stick will you own. :D
 
Go for a Bassoon, they are bigger ;)

Bruise, kip is sleep, sorry bout that one. I didn't se the thing about the Bilton, well, maybe if you come over here I can lend it to you for a couple of minutes. Then again, its not really mine, its a work of art and so belongs to the world as they say...

Have you any idea what kind of design you are going to carve into it?
 
Although a woodwind instrument might be a more stable platform for a walking stick. The mouthpiece might be a little difficult to hold on to in difficult terrain.

Having no woodworking skills whatsoever, I expect the design to be "lumpy". I hope you folks aren't expecting too much. It actually might be a good thing that I don't have a camera. :)
 
Bruise, some time ago there were some posts about using walking sticks as weapons (I think Rusty started it, could be wrong), but one of the links provided a site for someone who made them out of cedar and wrapped the grip with parachute cord. Looked really good.

Good luck doing ANYTHING with that pick handle you bought to practice on, if it's hickory. Everytime I have to replace and axe handle, I cringe. No matter what I use (Surform, knife, belt sander, file), it's always a MAJOR pain to shape it.
 
I've found a 12" AK works great for controlled chopping on things one needs to be careful with.
I used mine on a Cedar handle for an Eagle Wing Fan I made for a brother.
I wasn't too surprised at how good it worked, after all Sarge and plenty others have spoke of their magical powers.:D
 
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