Walking Sticks

pitdog said:
That looks great, what kind of wood is it ?

I keep toying with the idea of buying or making one myself !!!!
Click to expand...

I'd highly reccomend making one yourself. You can buy some nice ones, but there's nothing like swinging a nice stout stick that you selected yourself, carved/shaped into the form you like, then kept for years of use.

Here in the Northwest, there are quite a few good woods you can choose from out in the forest. I have a cane I made for myself out of the heartwood of a dry, seasoned piece, and it's pretty much indestructible.

There's just something special about using tools you made yourself.
 
Bushman5 said:
aw man i got a few sticks. I use 1.5" thick oak dowels. I ussually take my propane torch and burn the outside in random patterns, then sand down. After sanding super smooth i soak them for months in a piece of capped off (bottom only) ABS pipe filled with tung oil.

pics soon
Click to expand...
Aha ! Good idea!
I'll have to try that!
Hmmm i was just thinking i could use abs pipe to make a kind of cylindrical steamer for steaming sticks so they could be bent back to a straight shape.
A friend of mine had a wood steamer box he made up out of plywood with a kettle attached to provide the hot steam.

Yesterday I soaked the maple stick i was having problems with. Poured hot water over it for about 20 minutes, that seemed to straighten it.
Then i found two steel tubes about 2 and 1/2 feet long.
These are the old checkered steel tubes that go over the center section of those long weight bars.
Anyway the lower half of the stick is in one of those tubes and the top half of the stick is pinched lengthwise in a old workmate top.
I'm going to leave it for a few weeks then see how its doing.
 
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stingray4540 said:
If I remember correctly it is best to leave the bark on, and wax the ends to prevent them cracking as they dry.
Don't quote me on that though.
Click to expand...

Yeah i've been looking around online and a few sites say that as well.

A lot of the articles aren't very useful because they assume you are using dried deadfall, they ignore the "curing green cut wood" problem.
Actually most are militantly against cutting living trees.
In my particular case the sticks i have are green, freshly cut.
I don't normally go around cutting down living trees unnecessarily but in this case one of the sticks is a branch pruned from a maple in my parents garden.
It was growing over and close to the roof so that branch had to go.
The other two i "harvested" from a nearby vacant lot which is going to be bulldozed and "mini-malled" in the near future.
I may return for more sticks before the bull-dozer shows up.
 
Many times you can actually help nature by cutting your stick. Many trees grow too close to each other and will eventually crowd each other out. Pruning lower branches also stimulates growth if done properly.

Most people say you should cut your stick in the winter and let it cure for a year for each inch of diameter. If you cut it in the summer cure it half again as long. Many people say that the best way to cure them is to hang them from the ceiling and to keep them at dry but at outside ambient temperature and humidity.

I have only made a hand full but have been accumulating material to make it a future hobby. I have a hundred or so drying in my basement now. SSShhhhhh......Don't tell the tree huggers!

I suggest you make sure to study the tree very well before you cut it so you don't have cutters remorse after you cut it. If possible digging the tree and cutting it with the root pall still attached sometimes gives you more options. Cut the stick six inches to a foot too long on each end in case it splits and it will split at least a little. Sealing the ends will help. Leaving the bark on will help to keep it from splitting but removing the bark is much more difficult after it is cured.

I hope this helps.

www.bobsticks.co.uk/
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=3&p=43733&cat=3,48759
http://www.thestickman.co.uk/
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staff.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staves_1.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/staff_use.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staves_2.htm
http://www.woodcarvers.org/canes&walkingsticks.htm
http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/walkingsticks.htm
http://user.netonecom.net/~swordman/crafts/sticks.htm#sources
http://www.kevinscustomcanes.com/
https://www.treelineusa.com/webpages/walking_sticks.html
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f69/
http://www.thestickman.co.uk/forum/
http://stores.ebay.com/UNFINISHED-WOOD-WALKING-STICKS
 
I've got to take some photos of mine. I had one that I picked up at a powwow, desert ironwood, had a thong and some type of fake zebra cloth on it, stapled and hot glued on. After I got that nonsense off, I replaced the thong, which was falling apart, with some paracord. After about six years, that hiking stick is now a cane :D. I've whittled pieces off of it, shaved the bark off, wore off a good portion of the bottom just using it, pounding that pavement and trail.

I have maybe 5 carved sticks from a maker in PA, who died recently. My grandmother has one, she was using a crappy cane to get around, and I gave her mine. It's hers now, until she leaves us. She loves it, everyone on her block wants one. I have one with a wolfs head on it, one with American Indian totems on it, and a few others. Couple walking sticks, couple canes. I also have some that I found in the woods and have half heartedly carved.

Lately, instead of taking one with me, I just find a branch on the trail, knock any small branches off, and head off. Before I go, I leave it at the trail head for the next person to come through. Any sticks I keep, I drill for a paracord lanyard. Nothing fancy by any means, but it works.
 
I make them in my spare time and i have to use one whenever I am walking anywhere except a side walk or floor. I have poor balance sice I broke my foot and ankle. I have about 50 of them in the garage. I make them from any stout sticks I find in the woods or shelter belts. I put the rubber chair/cane tips on mine. They last a long time and hold well on most surfaces. I have sold a few and gave some to friends and relatives. If you stain, oil or paint the ends right away, they usually won't crack. I have some that I left the bark on if it was real tight. I have stained them after they dry and I have stained green ones which then seem to hold the moister in for a long time. I often strap sheaths for my large knives to the walking sticks. As you said, it's a good way to store and carry extra cordage and you can put all kinds of attachments to them to make them even handier. They work well to probe for snakes and other varmints and can be a defense tool as well. I wouldn't head out in the woods without one any more.
 
tholiver said:
Aha ! Good idea!
I'll have to try that!
Hmmm i was just thinking i could use abs pipe to make a kind of cylindrical steamer for steaming sticks so they could be bent back to a straight shape.
A friend of mine had a wood steamer box he made up out of plywood with a kettle attached to provide the hot steam.

Yesterday I soaked the maple stick i was having problems with. Poured hot water over it for about 20 minutes, that seemed to straighten it.
Then i found two steel tubes about 2 and 1/2 feet long.
These are the old checkered steel tubes that go over the center section of those long weight bars.
Anyway the lower half of the stick is in one of those tubes and the top half of the stick is pinched lengthwise in a old workmate top.
I'm going to leave it for a few weeks then see how its doing.
Click to expand...

ABS deforms with steam FYI

if you take 2 VERY straight pieces of 4" x 4" wood, router a 1/2" groove into both pieces, pour hot water over your stick and then put into the groove. cover with the other piece of wood and clamp it tight for several days. = straightend stick!

:thumbup:
 
With my great wood-working skills, I have made many walking sticks.

First, I find a branch.

I (very carefully) cut the branch.

I have a stick. :)

When a now-departed neighbor had a dog with exaggerated territorial instincts, I sought out and made two Walnut walking sticks. One of the training techniques I practised involved movements not unlike the ones you see in a professional baseball warm-up.

Worked a charm.

Debarked them, stored them in shade outside, and they have done well for 6 years. One is cane length, the other is cheek-bone height. I "pull" myself forward with the taller one.

YMMV.





Kis
 
Well I took mine out today and got to use it to fend off an ankle biter dog. The owner should have been happy, because otherwise it would have been my boot.
 
Thanks to this thread I decided it was about time I did something with the few I've had laying around curing. We had our front yard cleared of brush and small trees last year ('yard' being a very subjective term—we're very much in the woods) and I picked out a few promising saplings to put back under the eaves to cure. I left the bark on. Mostly they were dogwood or scrub oak.

Yesterday I took the best of the bunch, a dogwood sapling about 1.5" in diameter and maybe 6' or so in length, and spent a leisurely half-hour or so cutting the outer bark off. I never realized before how good dogwood bark smells. Maybe I'm just somewhat weird, though. :D

Still have to scrape it down to remove the purplish inner bark layer, smooth out a few knots, sand it down good, drill a hole for a paracord lanyard, and give it a wrap or two. I'll post pics when I'm done.
 
bigox said:
Many times you can actually help nature by cutting your stick. Many trees grow too close to each other and will eventually crowd each other out. Pruning lower branches also stimulates growth if done properly.

Most people say you should cut your stick in the winter and let it cure for a year for each inch of diameter. If you cut it in the summer cure it half again as long. Many people say that the best way to cure them is to hang them from the ceiling and to keep them at dry but at outside ambient temperature and humidity.

I have only made a hand full but have been accumulating material to make it a future hobby. I have a hundred or so drying in my basement now. SSShhhhhh......Don't tell the tree huggers!

I suggest you make sure to study the tree very well before you cut it so you don't have cutters remorse after you cut it. If possible digging the tree and cutting it with the root pall still attached sometimes gives you more options. Cut the stick six inches to a foot too long on each end in case it splits and it will split at least a little. Sealing the ends will help. Leaving the bark on will help to keep it from splitting but removing the bark is much more difficult after it is cured.

I hope this helps.

www.bobsticks.co.uk/
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=3&p=43733&cat=3,48759
http://www.thestickman.co.uk/
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staff.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staves_1.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/staff_use.htm
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staves_2.htm
http://www.woodcarvers.org/canes&walkingsticks.htm
http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/walkingsticks.htm
http://user.netonecom.net/~swordman/crafts/sticks.htm#sources
http://www.kevinscustomcanes.com/
https://www.treelineusa.com/webpages/walking_sticks.html
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f69/
http://www.thestickman.co.uk/forum/
http://stores.ebay.com/UNFINISHED-WOOD-WALKING-STICKS
Click to expand...

Thanks, there are some good links there!
:thumbup:
 
Bushman5 said:
ABS deforms with steam FYI

if you take 2 VERY straight pieces of 4" x 4" wood, router a 1/2" groove into both pieces, pour hot water over your stick and then put into the groove. cover with the other piece of wood and clamp it tight for several days. = straightend stick!

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks Bushman, that 4"x4" clamping rig sounds excellent!

I'm still going to think about the steam box thing though as i found the pouring water over the stick to be effective but a little awkward.
Maybe in addition to your clamp setup i'll make a wooden steamer box setup as well.

I checked my maple stick yesterday my jury rigged benchmate/steel tube contraption seems to be working for now.
Once i get the 4" x4" clamping rig made i have a big (3 year dried/cured) but bowed maple stick to try it out on.
:D
 
bigox said:
Many times you can actually help nature by cutting your stick. Many trees grow too close to each other and will eventually crowd each other out. Pruning lower branches also stimulates growth if done properly.

Most people say you should cut your stick in the winter and let it cure for a year for each inch of diameter. If you cut it in the summer cure it half again as long. Many people say that the best way to cure them is to hang them from the ceiling and to keep them at dry but at outside ambient temperature and humidity.

I have only made a hand full but have been accumulating material to make it a future hobby. I have a hundred or so drying in my basement now. SSShhhhhh......Don't tell the tree huggers!

I suggest you make sure to study the tree very well before you cut it so you don't have cutters remorse after you cut it. If possible digging the tree and cutting it with the root pall still attached sometimes gives you more options. Cut the stick six inches to a foot too long on each end in case it splits and it will split at least a little. Sealing the ends will help. Leaving the bark on will help to keep it from splitting but removing the bark is much more difficult after it is cured.

I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Yeah judicious pruning does help. And trees can grow to close together and crowd each other out. Both in a natural setting and in a garden.
My parents have been living in the same house for 40 years and all the trees, grass, landscaping they did themselves.
I've seen pics of the lot before they moved in, they did a really good job actually.
And considering the poor soil here (they don't call Newfoundland "the Rock" just because of the rugged coastline :D ) its even more impressive.
I dug some potato beds for them there this year and i can confirm the soil on that lot is about 65% rock! lol.
Most of them are palm to fist sized, although i found a "new" boulder in the back corner.It was just below the grass layer.
Mostly flat on top and about 4 feet by 2.5 wide, going down at least 2 or 3 feet underground maybe more!
As i don't have a backhoe it has become a kind of outdoor flowerpot table, lol.

Unfortunately they didn't factor in the future growth when they planted their trees so a few (mostly pines) impinged upon each others space.
And they never really pruned the hardwoods so they are kinda wild looking.
But still i like the "wildness" of the maples and there a great little shaded spot back there.
But from now on when i have the time i will occasionally prune the trees for them.
Really its a good little garden for such a relatively small suburban lot.

Oops meandered off topic a little, lol.

BOT...
Yeah from now on i'm leaving the bark on and sealing the ends of any new sticks i cut.
 
tholiver said:
Yeah judicious pruning does help. And trees can grow to close together and crowd each other out. Both in a natural setting and in a garden.
Yeah from now on i'm leaving the bark on and sealing the ends of any new sticks i cut.
Click to expand...

That's been my experience. I have a small woodlot and in some places the maple saplings are like a jungle. They're competing for sunlight and grow very tall and straight. Sometimes I can get the lengths of three good hiking sticks out of one sapling. I feel that every time I cut one out, I'm providing an airway and pathway for birds and wildlife.

Anyway, two winters ago, I started making hiking sticks and whittling them up like this:

1z1wi1i.jpg


Made about a dozen, they're labor intensive. Sold a few, gave more away as Christmas presents. It's a good way to put your whittlers to work :)

Edit: I use whatever old leftover varnish I've got to seal the ends. Then I just stack them outside, with the bark on, to weather.
 
Coldwood said:
That's been my experience. I have a small woodlot and in some places the maple saplings are like a jungle. They're competing for sunlight and grow very tall and straight. Sometimes I can get the lengths of three good hiking sticks out of one sapling. I feel that every time I cut one out, I'm providing an airway and pathway for birds and wildlife.

Anyway, two winters ago, I started making hiking sticks and whittling them up like this:

1z1wi1i.jpg


Made about a dozen, they're labor intensive. Sold a few, gave more away as Christmas presents. It's a good way to put your whittlers to work :)

Edit: I use whatever old leftover varnish I've got to seal the ends. Then I just stack them outside, with the bark on, to weather.
Click to expand...

Neat!
I whittle but i haven't really carved figures/faces or anything.
I must try that this winter.
 
I am nervous about my walking stick. Two months ago, I found it in a park that used to be the woods I played in as a child, I was taking a walk just before dawn and saw the stick leaning against a fallen log. I got closer and saw it either fell or was pusshed over. Dead, but the root was still in the ground. I pulled it out, trimmed the branches and cut it too long so it could cure properly. It now is just sitting in a shed, I know it should be hanging, but time was a factor. I am hoping it won't warp by the time I can get to it , probably just after thanksgiving. At that time I plan to trim it a little shorter, pull the bark off of it, and hang it properly. It could be almost a year after that before I can finish it, due to the traveling I do with work.
 
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