mad4it 695 Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Hi I was wondering if holly can be used for making sticks, as I have two straight holly sticks that came from a holly tree that I cut down, any advice would be welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxy 617 Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 It will do but it's heavy and the wood will shrink more than the bark so you will more than likely have to strip it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bullmastiff 615 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 I've got a big Holly stick and think its lovely. It's pretty heavy for bearing with (much heavier than blackthorn) but I like it's durability, as the wood shrank back I just picked the dry bark off it where I'd be holding it. I haven't treated it with anything but the handle has polished up nicely from the grease and wear from my hands. I left it to dry for a year in my shed and it's now just finished it's third year of beating. The end has gone fuzzy where the fibres are fraying slightly (going to get a friend to put a brass ring in the end for me) but a pet from that it looks fine. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 1,873 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 I prefer holly for the very reasons stated above i.e. because it's heavier (denser and more solid) I can get away with a thinner stick. I'm a lazy sod when it comes to sticks though; I just cut them at what I think is the right length, use them for a while and adjust the length accordingly and I've never stripped bark, straightened or stained. For me that's part of the fun of it...finding one which is perfect without me doing anything to it. My main thumb-stick is holly. I cut it on my honeymoon in the woods between Belstone and Sticklepath in Dartmoor and it's still going strong over ten years later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GruffaloGriff 1,859 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 Never made a stick with it but it is a nice wood to turn on a lathe, very hard and a fine grain, would think it would make a durable stick. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad4it 695 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 Never made a stick with it but it is a nice wood to turn on a lathe, very hard and a fine grain, would think it would make a durable stick. I know it a good wood to turn on a lathe to be honest that what made me think about making a stick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 498 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 With Holly, you should cut longer than required, and leave longer side shoots, and seal the cut ends with paint or varnish, till seasoned or it tends to crack.If tyou really want the best out of Holly. Cut the shanks about 6ft long and about 4 or 5 inches thick, and seal the ends till seasoned which may be upto 3 years + You plane or file it square then take the corners off hexagonal, mark around the knots with a pencil and file round leaving the knots proud. This way your working with the heart wood, and it also can never warp. It makes fantastic sticks. Doing this, you must seal the whole stick each night your working on it, as it can crack, but its worth it when its finished.These are Norman Tulips sticks done this way. 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 498 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 They are rams horn, buffalo horn, and cow horn, all carved from the one piece of horn, no bits are stuck on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad4it 695 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 they look amazing gin, I bet they take a long time to carve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 498 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 Yes they do. It can be months of work, but they look great also with just a plain top, such as a crook or thumb-piece, for working sticks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 498 Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 No, the bark is left on. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
air gun ant 1,666 Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 F***ing hell gin! You no your shit lol is it a bit like iroko? Really fine grain? And dusty as fook? (Only going on iroko I've turned) imagine holly to be similar Atb ant Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GruffaloGriff 1,859 Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 F***ing hell gin! You no your shit lol is it a bit like iroko? Really fine grain? And dusty as fook? (Only going on iroko I've turned) imagine holly to be similar Atb ant Iroko is it just me or does the dust burn anyone elses lungs out? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
air gun ant 1,666 Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Not just you mate!!! I've about 12ft of 4x4 in the garage that I can bring myself to turn lol 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GruffaloGriff 1,859 Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Not just you mate!!! I've about 12ft of 4x4 in the garage that I can bring myself to turn lol Was giving all the off-cuts of Iroko to my boy to turn but he has got wise to it and won't touch it now either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.