Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => E-Buygumbay => Topic started by: kenkew on January 27, 2006, 12:05:12
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I love making things out of 'nothing'. All the 'walking sticks' I've made have all come from council thinnings in the local wood. Making them is a joy, but to be honest, this part of the world don't appreciate the pleasure you can get rambling along with your 'companion'
So, I thought I'd 'stick' a pic on here of one I finished last night and see if there's an interest in 'home-made' sticks.
Have to get a p&p cost before I can say what that is and that might put and end to this thread!!...but whatever that cost is, that's all I'm asking. No profit to me but a quid to A4A would go down well.
Like all my sticks I tend to use the natural shape of the wood as much as possible rather than carving out an animal or the like. This stick is lightweight, approx 37" long and about 3/4 to 1/2". There's no ferrule on the end 'cos I havn't got any!...but I've inserted a metal 'button' instead. That's not a bad idea actually 'cos you might want to shorten the stick anyway.
This is a Bunny stick on account of it looking a bit like a bunny!
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Ken, it is a splendid thing...let us know the p&p costs pretty please.
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EJ...You have the most wonderful way of saying 'pretty please' so I'll check it out. Might be cheaper if I sent it in two smaller packets instead of one long one?
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Yes yes yes, please Ken, do that with p& p would you i would love a new walking stick, and one for my husband for a walking companion. ;D
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I'd be interested in one as well, got two in my meagre collection but would like another one. :)
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Next one waiting to get 'done' is Bramble. He's a silly stick with a pointy nose to hook those thorny brambles. (You can rename the stick if you wish as I don't use it's given name while I'm making it.)
Probably ready over the weekend.
Got to point out what I mentioned earlier. All my sticks come from what the foresters thin out. I don't go chopping up trees in an effort to have enough material for a 'normal' handle as is common practice in certain parts. No trees are injured in the making of my sticks. This means most of the handles will be smaller than 'standard' and 'cos I try working 'around' the natural shape, they will all be different.
I use the word 'companion' rather than 'walking stick' as that might suggest I'm making walking aids, I'm not, I make individual companions that are looking for someone to take them for a walk.
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can i be next in the queue for one please...
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Hi Gunner'...It's looking like we have to have a plan.
Probably the best one is to put a pic of the latest finished one and offer it to the first person on the list. Each stick is different and I know not everyone of them will appeal to everyone. If it's passed up then it's offered to the next person...??
Bramble will be another quite light-weight one and while it will serve as a walking stick, it's one that would grumble a bucketful if it was taken on a rough ramble.
So, the list at the moment is;
2 sticks; One is Bunny, the other Bramble. Both pic's should be on by Sunday by which time I should have p&p rates.
EJ has first pick.
Rosebud second. (Although I think Rosebud is looking for something a little sturdier?)
Jesse has shown an interest but not sure what she's really looking for yet.
Gunnerbee is next, and an idea of what you want might help me choose from my stock.
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Kenkew - just have to say that that is a thing of beauty. I love that the handle is so distinctive.
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Most of the handles won't 'fill the hand' but, different to carved shapes, I
gaurantee/garauntee'gurantee I can assure you, you won't find anyone with anything like it.
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Ken, I would love to own one of your sticks as well. I do a bit of walking around here and am sure I would use it lots. Please......
;D ;D ;D
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KK I'd love anything that's similar to the bunny stick you've shown above, but not too long as I'm not very tall. I love wood, particularly the beautiful grain that some can show and I really like the colour variation of the stick you've shown in your photo, think it's fab :D
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Ideal stick length.....
For an everyday walking companion, the ideal length is a stick that reaches from ground to 1" above the bend of the wrist. (Get someone else to measure this.)
But, as I said, I don't fit the metal bit to the bottom on account of I haven't got any!...but I will tap in a metal 'button' which will suffice for everyday use. I would prefer to make a stick slightly longer rather than try to get the length exact 'over the phone' so to speak. If you need it shorter after you get it, no problem, take a bit off with a junior hacksaw and if you wish, buy and fit a ferrule to the end. (I'll tell you how if you need advice.)
Jesse, Carol, Rosebud, Gunner:...Are you looking for a light stick or something a little more robust?
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:D :D :D
Am short as well but would like a light stick Ken. Gee thanks ;D ;D ;D ;D
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a light stick would be fine for me Ken :)
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Hi Ken, i would like a fairly robust one but not to heavy please and a robust one for hubby thank you so very much. ;D
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These are the other ones I'm playing with.
I mentioned that the handles are not quite the 'normal' size. I relized today that it isn't necessary to have a large handle. Using a stick with a conventional top to it requires that you have to grasp the thing. After 'testing' small handled sticks, I relized that some people aren't able to grasp things normally, in fact gripping something can be quite painful to do for some people.
That got me thinking.
I'm going to concentrate more on sticks with a 'bit sticking out' so that it can be 'moved forward' as you walk simply by having it hook under your finger.
That said, I have set too on some 'new designs'. A few pics here might show what I mean. It's suprisingly comfortable to use a stick that fits part of the hand with a 'hook' to carry it forwards.
Now....where's mi pics?
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That's amazing Ken, it starts out looking like any old branch you'd see lying on the ground and then you've transformed it into something unique, very talented you are :D
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Ta, Jesse.
If anyone wants a bit of string adding, just let me know. Some like turks head or such.
(I play with string 'an all.)
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Fascinating pics Kenkew. You've got a very enviable talent there - not just the craftsmanship, but the vision to see what's waiting in the wood.
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Tell you what, Ellkebe, I look at each one for ages before I start, and even then each one changes as I work......interesting but hellish time consuming.
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Worth the wait and the work though :)
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These are beautiful ken, love the way they all have names too, just discovered your photos and they are a joy ::) ;D
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Truly Amazing, art is in the eye of the beholder, and so it seems to be the case here! it's not how it looks, its how it ends!! I would love a very Sturdy one!! No rush whatsoever!! Bad left knee, but still mobile!!
Cheers KevB
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Horsehead shape will do me, or anything you want to design..... just to suprise me even better!!!
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Hope you Hoovered up afterwards!!
Brian
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You are very tallented Ken making all these beautiful sticks. It looks like you will be kept very busy for the next few weeks. ;D
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Years ago there was an old Yorkshire Dales character at the Yorkshire Show demonstrating stick carving. Someone watching asked "How do you see the duck in the handle you're carving now. The old chap says with a twinkle in his eye "Well ah just look at twood, and owt that dunt look leek a duck ah cuts off"
They don't get people like that anywear else!
Brian
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Been getting quite a few PM's but not been able to reply to many of them 'cos yer bin's are full.
Use the E-mail on here if you want an answer about sticks. (This E-mail address is, unfortunately, fairly public!)
Ken.
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Seems I do have an E-mail problem. I have quite a few requests for sticks and the PM's will only hold so many messages, but I need some info from you people, like; Right or left handed, size and weight required, plain or 'fancy' top, length...and more!
Contact me via; kenkew@hotmail.com and please put in the subject line 'E-buygumbuy so I don't wipe your E off the planet as like what I do with tons of rubbish daily. Ta!
( ...although I'm selling to A4A people via direct contact, I'm hoping that when you get the goodies you remember a donation to A4A...thanks.)
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iiimmm free mr lucas!!! joke yes mine is free at the moment, just incase you have done my one!!!!!
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I have quite a few companions underway and I'm sure some would suit some people. Check out the 'Finished sticks' thread but a little detail of what you prefer would help me pick from the stock I have like left or right handed, slim lightweight, gripping problem, plain top or 'something different', length or hip height or chest height. Would you like a wrist cord attaching?...Anything else that comes to mind. I'm working from 'raw' wood, so I'll do my best to come-up with something YOU want.
K.
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cool !
I made one from apple wood last year, it looks like bone. Really nice feel to it.
when i figure how to add pics il put one up
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Just found this site today ! really like your walking sticks! would like one sometime and think anything personally hand made is a wonderful thing and will by one for my hubby!
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Check out 'finished Sticks' to see if any that are available will suit you. It changes every time I add one, like today.
More should be on site in a couple of days. Ordering info is in this section. Just read through the posts.
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Hi Ken,
I would love one of your sticks for my father. He has just been diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms and is a little wonky on his feet. I have one like the ones you make from about 1820 but a bit short as people were a wee bit smaller then. It's a dying art and great if you can do it. Please let me know the postage and if this is okay.
Many thanks,
Rob
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I take it your father is looking for a strong stick? Or will a lighter stick just for balance be OK? Is he a big man? Is he left or right handed? Can he grip alright? How tall is he? Do any already on this site look anything like what you think will do?
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Hi Ken,
My father is really looking for a sturdy stick as he is 15 stone. He is left handed and is about 5' 9". Unfortunately I can't view the pictures on this site. He can grip okay.
Thanks,
Rob
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Hi Terces,
I have a stick within 3 days of being ready that I reckon would suit. Failing that, I have a second one but it's a couple of weeks away. Want to take a chance on the first one? It's quite stout, not too heavy and has a bees-wax finish rather than a varnish one. I can fit a rubber ferrul but not a metal one (which can be a bit slippy anyway.) I can also put a 'turks-head' lashing on to spruce it up a bit. It's a stick a bit like Sid James' face....looks as though it's lived a bit!
You're choice.
Contact me with your address at my hotmail below if you want 'Sid'.
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Thanks for your Email. Terces. 'Sid' will be finished tomorrow and on the way with details ASAP.
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Thank you so much Ken,
The walking stick arrived today and it is terrific. It will do the job a treat.
Keep up the good work Ken!
Thanks again,
Rob
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Been busy all day making headfway with new 'companions' and Twiggies. Thanks for all the E-mails and requests. New sticks and Twiggies will be posted will be posted on their respective threads as they come available. I'll see about getting a sample Twiggy mug photo on that thread too. Again, thanks for all the contact.
Ken.
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Had some wood going spare from the base of an old bed I chucked out. It made a pretty decent stick rack. Now there's a chance to see more than one stick at a time. More details on 'Finished Sticks' if you tell me which one you want to look at.
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HI KEN the one on the far end looks interesting may i hear more please.
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Quite a few new people have joined A4A since I mentioned my 'hobby'...so, if there is interest in my home-made walking companions, get in touch. Prices are good, quality is good and if you buy one, then A4A will feel good because every sale also benifits the site.
Kew.
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I would personaly recommend Kens, walking companions he made a lovely one for my husband a beautifull thing, had many comments on it. Rosebud.
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I like to post my sticks for sale on here to reach a 'wider audience' but they get sold before I get the chance. So; a change of tactics.
Rather than wait until the sticks are finished, I'm going to post pics before I've finished them. Anyone interested then has the chance to let me know before they 'Go to Market' so to speak.
I usually working on around 10 sticks at any one time. Here are a couple of them. The long 'V' top one is a thumb stick and quite sturdy for a hiker. The second one is arguably one of the nicest every-day sticks I've worked so far.
If anyone's interested, let me know and I'll certainly give A4A people first refusal.
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[attachment=2]
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Hi Ken, i would like a fairly robust one but not to heavy please and a robust one for hubby thank you so very much. ;D
Rosebud. If you get this, I've got an ultra-light one under way which is - unusual for a light weight- quite a robost one.
Interested after all this time? Give me a shout.
Ken.