Author Topic: Making Walking Sticks: Pic by Pic: (Read 15830 times)

kenkew · « **on:** February 05, 2008, 19:55:04 »

I've posted my finished walking companions before, (Check the links below) and I've been asked a few times what's involved in stick making, how they start off, get worked on, and how they are finished.
Well, rather than keep repeating things on PM's I thought I'd make it a topic of interest and post it more generally.
I've put it here because it tally's with other posts on the same subject and also because all the sticks I make are for sale; I don't do it for profit not when you consider the hours/days spent in their creation, but anyone buying one helps me to restock on stain/varnish/beeswax/polish/rubbing paper etc and there is always a site donation.
Best thing is; If you do buy one, you get a unique walking companion like no-other. If you don't buy, that's OK too. Either way, the making of a walking companion is a joy and a joy I enjoy! As a member of the 'UK Stick Makers Guild' I am in awe at some of the creations my fellow members come out with. I only wish I had the patience to spend weeks on just one stick, allas, I tend to concentrate on more practical walking pals.

So; How do stick makers make sticks and walking companions?......
Well, first thing to do is find a place where sticks grow!....so, here we go on a photo walk through the 'art' of what making a walking companion is all about.
First pic is the wood: A good starting point! As days go by I'll add pic's as I work on a piece of wood that I will hopefully pick up tomorrow.
(Hope it's not raining)

The below links are from my previous postings.
Ken.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,16386.0.html

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,16453.0.html

kenkew · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2008, 10:45:15 »

Every year the council take to the woods and thin out the saplings and undergrowth. A few time in the year I spend a weekend as a volunteer helping out.
The pic's below were taken yesterday - in the rain! and likely walking stick pieces make it back to my workshop.
Sticks have to be stored with the ends sealed for quite a few months before workable, so the sticks I'm working now were actually collected back in December 06 but came from piles of cleared saplings like these.

kenkew · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2008, 13:15:00 »

Sticks collected, sorted and strung. Should find a few good ones among these. Just have to seal the cuts and wait a few months now!

kenkew · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2008, 13:18:26 »

Now January this year. 12 months since the last pic. I work 4 or 5 sticks at a time, this one is the current one. The bark wasn't in too good a condition so off it comes.

kenkew · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2008, 13:22:26 »

Bark off and the stick gets a light knife scrape and a quick pass with a rasp removes splinters and levels any bumps.

kenkew · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2008, 13:27:18 »

From here it's a case of rub/damp/dry/rub along the shaft and a bit of work at the handle end removing damage and trying to figure out what shape to try and end up with!

Barnowl · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2008, 13:39:34 »

Hi Ken, great thread.

One question - with what do you seal the cuts?

kenkew · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2008, 13:51:46 »

When I get the sticks home, first job is to clean the whole thing and cut off the stick bottom back to clean sound wood. The handle or thick end is also done the same but where there is a root, each bit has to be cut back. Those new cuts are an invitation to disease spores and even wood boring insects so I coat them with a diluted white spirit varnish solution. Knotting would also work but it's a bit pricey!
The sticks are then bound tightly in bundles and left under cover but hung outside for at least 4 months.

kenkew · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2008, 13:34:21 »

A bit more whittling here and there.

kenkew · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2008, 09:37:20 »

A bit here; A bit there.

rosebud · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2008, 17:21:33 »

Ken, your sticks are show pieces.
The one we have is brilliant a work of art. Highly recommened.

kenkew · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2008, 21:33:07 »

Ta! 'Buds. Did a bit more today on this and other ones.

kenkew · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:23:04 »

...and now taking out a slight bend in the shaft.

kenkew · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:30:43 »

And here's a couple of others I'm 'playing' with. Any ideas on how the bulky one should end up? Looking a bit like a skull just now!

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:07:45 »

How creative you are! That looks like a wonderful project- the best ones are where the end is a mystery right up until the finale.

Question: So you don't have to worry about which type of wood it is? No requirements on flexibility, strength etc?

kenkew · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2008, 16:44:00 »

I do like a challenge, and while I'm working a stick, I'm always wondering myself how it will turn out. Sometimes it's almost a last minute thing....depends on how it feels in the hand as I whittle and sand away! It's more a matter of comfort, practicality and handling rather than for the sticks' artistic finish. (Although all my sticks for sale are worked and finished to a high standard.)
Nature is great; Every stick is different. Those sticks, even after many hours of work can turn out to be 'not fit for purpose' and those I take back to the wood and prop up against a tree by the path for people to pick up and take for a walk!
I don't damage my local wood by digging up saplings or cutting off branches, I rely on 'clearings.' That does restrict me a bit to choice, but I'm always lucky enough to find Oak, Rowan, Hazel, Holly and the occasional Blackthorne, so I'm never short of material.
Some people like a small, light stick just to hold while walking. Others like a 'proper' walking companion and there are those who prefer a stout stick. I make hand grip sticks but I also make shaft sticks (straight but heavy without a 'handle') and I also make quite a lot of thumb sticks of late. (Sticks with a 'Y' at the top.) I made a few 'Blackberry picking sticks' last year...long, thin, flexible and with a hook at the top!
All very interesting to work on.
Ken.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2008, 17:01:29 »

I have to prune out some lilacs and pear. How do you think that wood would be?

kenkew · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2008, 18:34:20 »

I've worked apple and pear and they make good sticks. There is a bit of a problem with them due to how they grow. Because they are fruit bearers, growth is not only slow, it tend to develope knuckle joints (week points) with branches that are rarely straight with enough length for a decent stick
Never worked Lilac so far but would think getting a 2metre or so straight branch might also be a problem as lilac developes flower buds on quite low branches, different to Oak, Rowan etc.
Having said that, check what you intend to prune....you might be lucky enough to find a suitable piece.
Ken.

kenkew · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2008, 19:55:08 »

Another one suffering my efforts!

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2008, 20:37:16 »

Do you ever imbed elk teeth or some such thing for eyes like rifle stock carvers do?

He looks like a happy duck with or without eyes.

News:

Author Topic: Making Walking Sticks: Pic by Pic: (Read 15830 times)