Finishing a Walking Stick

 Walking Sticks  2 Responses »
May 172011
 

Once your walking stick is done up the way that you like, it is time to use some type of finishing process to prepare the walking stick for years of use.  There are a lot of ways to finish a walking stick, all of which depend on what it’s intended purpose is.  You may be using the walking stick for decoration or you may enjoy using a walking stick on walks and hikes outside.

If you are planning to use your handmade walking stick, you may want to use a rubber boot on the bottom or a metal tip.  The rubber boots are good for using the walking stick on hard, potentially slick surfaces such as at home or in public areas where the added grip is beneficial.  If you plan to use the walking stick for hiking and as a support on long walks, you may find that a metal tip will provide stability with it’s ability to slightly penetrate the surface that you are on. Continue reading »

Decorating Your Walking Stick

 Walking Sticks  No Responses »
May 172011
 

After you have selected your walking stick, decided whether to remove the bark or not, and have the walking stick dried and carved, you are ready to decorate the walking stick.  There are a ton of things that you can add to your walking stick.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Selecting Wood for Walking Sticks

 Walking Sticks  2 Responses »
May 172011
 

If you have an interest in carving a walking stick, then your first order of business is to choose your stick.  You can order a stick from a carving supply store, but I have found that the most satisfying is to get outside and cut your own walking stick.

There are a few factors that you have to be mindful of when it comes to selecting the wood for your new walking stick:

  1. Size (diameter)
  2. Height of the user of the Walking Stick
  3. Strength of wood
  • Size (Diameter)

Most good walking sticks are going to be between 1 1/2″ to 2″.  When deciding on the diameter of the walking stick, keep in mind that if you are using the walking stick for more than decoration, you will be carrying it around for long periods of time.  The larger the diameter, the heavier the walking stick will be.  Also, the smaller the diameter, the weaker the over all walking stick will be. Continue reading »

Removing Bark on a Walking Stick

 Walking Sticks  No Responses »
May 172011
 

Great looking walking sticks can be made both with bark and without bark.  It is up to you what you want the stick to look like in the end.  If you choose to remove the bark, you have the option of removing it right after cutting the walking stick, or waiting until the drying process is complete.

After you have the stick cut that you want to use in your walking stick project, you have to decide if you are going to remove the bark or not.  Some types of wood will crack and split worse if the bark is removed right away.  Some that dry good with the bark off are:

  • Maple
  • Sweetgum
  • Cherry
  • Poplar
  • Dogwood

The sooner that you remove the bark on most type of wood, the easier it is going to be.  At whatever point in the walking stick process you decide to remove the bark, there a couple great tools to aid in getting the bark off of the walking stick. Continue reading »

Drying Walking Sticks

 Walking Sticks  1 Response »
May 172011
 

When setting out to create a walking stick, whether carved, wood burned, or just plain, there are a few things that you can do to help make your project a success.  After you have the stick cut and removed the bark or not, you are ready to prepare the stick for the drying process.

When a walking stick dries, the moisture in the wood is evaporating and causing the wood to draw up some.  The amount of change in the wood during the drying process depends on the type of wood that is used for the walking stick.  As the walking stick dries, the ends can develop small checks or cracks that will gradually open.

  • Seal the Ends

To help keep this checking and cracking to a minimum, you can dip the ends in melted wax.  This will seal the ends and keep the moisture from escaping too quickly.  Is also helps the walking stick to dry more evenly. Continue reading »