stevo79 569 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Hi everyone just would like to know what the best wood is to make a stick for walking with. I've got a hazel tree in the garden, would that be ok? Also do you have to dry it out? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonnie bravo 572 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Hazel is great, look for one that has been coppiced you get nice straight sticks from them. Season them well. Oh and a mate has used ash saplings before they are straight and tend to be a bit hefty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad4it 695 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Hazel, ash and blacktorn make great walking sticks when they are seasoned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
low plains drifter 10,847 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Cut some hazel sticks, then tie them together in a bunch with rope at each end and in the middle then leave them in a shed to season for about a year Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevo79 569 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Thanks for replays lads, didn't realise it took so long to season them. Atb. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
low plains drifter 10,847 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 On 02/01/2016 at 19:02, stevo79 said: Thanks for replays lads, didn't realise it took so long to season them. Atb. You can use them straight away if they are naturally straight, but if you want to heat them up and straighten them up they need to be dried out or they will return back to their natural shape, hazel is very good as it is often straight enough naturally 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattyg 1,862 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 Would a heat gun be OK to heat them or is steam needed? Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devon flighter 421 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 On 07/01/2016 at 18:28, mattyg said: Would a heat gun be OK to heat them or is steam needed? Matt thats what ive always used ,go easy with it though its easy to scorch the bark 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Truther 1,579 Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 A standard sized hazel stick..........say an inch at the fattest/top end, then tapered.............should be straightened out after 7 or 8 months of drying, there's still some sap in it, and heating that sap with a heat gun allows the wood fibers to slide one one another, if they dry to much you've got way more chance of damaging it trying to straighten the bends out. I tend to leave them a bit longer after straightening, but make sure they're laid nice and flat, most times a bit of a tickle with the heat gun when you come to finish the stick and jobs a good un. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Aiken 253 Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 Blackthorne. Light, strong and durable. If you can, dig rather than cut as the root make a good natural handel. This is the time to harvest as the reduction in sap make the drying time one year instead of two and reduces the chance of splitting when drying. I use tru oil for mine, ten or twelve coats. https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmPZj57cIYM/VFlD2LkUvzI/AAAAAAAAT-Q/Y_m0JVkqMqY/s1600/muffy3.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.saltwaternewengland.com/2014/11/the-irish-blackthorn-walking-stick.html&h=562&w=1000&tbnid=NHP7z_fCoFCZLM:&docid=MCLqOmZCGE2lFM&ei=yZWPVu2bIceva56tuJgI&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwitpMr6hprKAhXH1xoKHZ4WDoMQMwhrKEEwQQ https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.prestigewalkingsticks.com/uploads/8/4/5/5/8455983/8998411.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.prestigewalkingsticks.com/walking-stick-blog/new-range-of-blackthorn-walking-sticks&h=333&w=250&tbnid=fuSpojvgdAuZrM:&docid=50w5kOnqTqx4mM&ei=yZWPVu2bIceva56tuJgI&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwitpMr6hprKAhXH1xoKHZ4WDoMQMwhjKDkwOQ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,393 Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 Simple straightening method. Door not being used much ie outdoor , bothie, whatever. Put the sick alongside the hinges and close the door with a little pressure. You might alter occasionally but it does do the job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leethedog 3,071 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) I'm doing traditional walking stick from oak unstripped Edited January 9, 2016 by leethedog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 500 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 The latest Newsletter from the Border Stick Dressers Association has an article in from Dane Love, a great maker of all types of sticks. He has a DVD out on the making of a Burr Elm, Thistle ( crook type ) walking stick. The thistle is carved on the curl end. A good help for beginners, and experienced stick-makers. Its £10 plus £1.50 postage. From Dane Love, Holland Crescent, Cumnock, Ayrshire, KA18 1QE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 500 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 http://www.bsda.eu/ This link does not show the dvd, its only to give a contact to the BSDA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Truther 1,579 Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 This blokes got a few vids on YT worth a watch https://youtu.be/MOCkE4dl1eg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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