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help me find a site that gives step by step instructions how to put together walking sticks.I cut a fine holly stick last Sunday and hopefully when dried out next year I will stick antlers or horn of some form to it.It'll take me that ammount of time to learn the technique/skills I reckon.any help would be gratefully recieved.

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The holly stick is a fine lump of wood,5 ft long and green as you'd expect being freshly cut.The first question I ask is how long does it need to dry out?Should I de bark it?Its a bit knotty in 1 or 2 spots,whats the best way of eliminating these,would a rasp or an electric sander be best?I wait with great anticipation for the people on here that know the answers to these vital questions.

Edited by jigsaw
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Your stick should be allowed to dry naturally for around the 12 month mark, i dont think there is a general rule as all woods are different, Holly is a very dense and heavy wood, so if dried out too fast has a tendancy to spilt on the cut ends. Candle wax should sort this out if you notice it happening, it wont stop it splitting but it will help to slow it down (drying out too fast) and stop the split from creeping further down the stick.( this applies to all woods )

 

Dont force dry.

 

With the holly wood grain being tight grained, you will struggle to remove any serious dog legs as the grain doesent allow much give and is very tough. Any knots or interesting features on the stick should be left and only sanded down lightly.

 

Holly (this is from reference, i am no way a master stick maker, lol), is a very featureless wood and tends to be disregarded as a common choice for making sticks.

It is heavy in comparison to most other woods.

The bark is very difficult to season, as the wood dries the bark wrinkles and detatches from the wood. Making it useless for varnishing.

The wood is uninteresting and very pale.

 

However, i myself have a choice piece of holly stick that is just about ready for fettling, it has been dried naturally and the bark has only lifted in one or two spots. I will let you know of my success, if any.

 

There are better woods out there, Get out and collect loads, of various different flavours!! This time next year you should have plenty to experiment with and hopefully end up with something good, if your holly doesent work out.

 

atb :thumbs:

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Thats good info MOXY,thanks.im just looking for a everyday stick so im not too fussed at how it looks,but if i get results i may try different types.What is fettling exactly?

how about a white cane jiggy cause you eye sight must be going at the ripe tender age of 76 :D

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how about a white cane jiggy cause you eye sight must be going at the ripe tender age of 76 :D

Funnyguy :clapper: ,your missus reckons i perform like a 20 year old though,mmmmmmm.you wanna get the cane for yer dog as he cant/doesnt want to see feck all out lamping :feck:

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how about a white cane jiggy cause you eye sight must be going at the ripe tender age of 76 :D

Funnyguy :clapper: ,your missus reckons i perform like a 20 year old though,mmmmmmm.you wanna get the cane for yer dog as he cant/doesnt want to see feck all out lamping :feck:

he saw enough last night chief and what have i told you about sleeping with my 15 year old missus your a bit old for her :D:D

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Thats good info MOXY,thanks.im just looking for a everyday stick so im not too fussed at how it looks,but if i get results i may try different types.What is fettling exactly?

 

Fettle/fettling = To tidy something up or play around with something ( like scents missus ;) ), fine tune or fix.

 

:thumbs:

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