Walking stick help please!

[oldwoodcutter]

Once you've got your shanks hang them in dry airy place for at least a year.Even though they were straight,after drying they will warp,i use a hot air gun to bend straight again.

If your handles are going to be 'shepherds crook' pattern,you can obtain hardwood blocks and cut and carve to the crook shape then attach as previous posts.

Hope this helps.

[blakes11]

In that case mate, try to do as good a job as you can but don't beat yourself up about getting it spot on. i'm sure a walking stick with a few imperfections would mean just as much to your old man as long as you'd made it.

[peatff]

I like my sticks to look natural, one of my favourites is a briar with the thorns removed (right side) and another is a hazel thumb stick which my wife has claimed. To join handles onto a stick like antler or buffalo horn I use 6mm threaded bar and Araldite. I put a piece of copper pipe on as a ferule then a rubber ferule over it.

 

[Farmerdowling]

I love those - especially the last one! I have been 'playing' and some bay branches that I had around the garden looks really nice as a handle (almost like bone) when debarked but not sure on the day to use of that wood (anyone help?)

[Farmerdowling]

In that case mate, try to do as good a job as you can but don't beat yourself up about getting it spot on. i'm sure a walking stick with a few imperfections would mean just as much to your old man as long as you'd made it.

 

I know that he will like as we made it but we want him to also use it safely - or in other words use it without him having the option of taking the P out of me for the remainder!

[peatff]

I have a couple with handles made from an antler piece and one I carved from black buffalo horn, you can buy this stuff on the internet or if you are lucky like I was someone will give you a piece you can use in exchange for doing them a favour.

[peatff]

Stick making shop sells pieces, I haven't bought from them but I have their site in bookmarks for ideas. I try to cut sticks as near straight as possible in at least one direction, I don't beat myself up about them looking like billiard cues as I like them to have a bit of character. Edited September 7, 2013 by peatff

[Farmerdowling]

Please ignore my very first attempt but I have a question! I like the look of the handle I tried on this which is made out of a bay tree branch. Is bay likely to split loads and be useless?

[peatff]

That should be fine, there's lots of timber round the join and they don't get a lot of stress only pressure downwards.