Some may say I procrastinate but

Birdhunter1220

Birdhunter1220

Joined
Aug 3, 2011
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Ok some may say I procrastinate and maybe sometimes I do. But in this case I was just letting the wood dry and the right knife to come alone. Maybe 28 years ago I cut a limb and decide to make a walking stick (I have not wood working skills and as you will see no photography skill either) but I knew I need to let it dry. Well the knife came alone, my EDC2 and I checked and the wood was dry :). So now I will get started. Here is what I am starting with:

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I am going to leave the 3 legs on so it will stand up by its self, if I do my part. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I am sure some of you have made walking sticks in the past.

Bill
 
I don’t have any experience with carving walking sticks, but there is actually a “walkingstickforum dot com”... There are also books about carving walking sticks available through Woodcarvers Supply and other such online vendors. If you have interlibrary loan access, you might be able to develop access to one or more of those books. Good luck with the hunt!
 
I can't say I am a professional or that this is the gospel truth ...

but there is an old fella at one of the dog and gun swap meets I used to go to all the time (well that's what they used to be) ... it's a full fledged flea market now in Rutledge Missouri ...

he used to sell walking sticks and canes ... several sizes and types of wood .. he akways got the wood and shaved off the bark ... all except on the top handle portion ... he then let it dry (I don't recall how long) ... and then he put a light coat of laquer on some ... and others it must have been danish oil or tung oil by the finish ... and they were really lightweight and handy ... I still use one alot during morel season ...

I myself have a bit cruder walking stick (it was made about 37 or 38 years ago) ... it's hickory and I shaved the bark off and simply let it dry and that thing is still as solid as it was the day I started whittling on it ...

looking forward to seeing what you end up with when you're finished ...
 
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I really wish I could tell you what kind it was. I cut it in Western Washington (Belfair) about 28 years ago. Not even sure I knew then :). Trying to decide if I want the bark off all the way to the wood or leave it mottled. And how long I want it, like a walking stick or a staff....any thoughts?
 
I would leave it mottled, marinate it in linseed oil, dry, sand, repeat. The three branches on the bottom might be tricky to get the stick to where you can lean on it comfortably without it pulling your arm as it rocks from being on just one of the three branches. It might be cool to put the three branches part on top and leave that knot on the end to smack stuff with. And you could make the branches into a slingshot. Sharpen the end past the knot and you plant it in the ground for leverage, maybe you could put three sets of bands on it if you trim the branches right and have a super powered staff slingshot shillelagh.
 
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