First Walking Stick

[Lindy]

Help! :-[

A friend has given me a walking stick to carve and I know that I want to do wood spirits on it but I don't even know where to start. :P I have no idea what the wood is and I really don't want to disappoint him so any suggestions would really be appreciated.

Thanks
Lindy

Hi Lindy, is it a pattern your looking for?? On the main page for this site, they have a section called downloads. There is a pattern for Wood Spirit, or tree spirits, whatever. I have been trying it myself with the grinder and some knife and chisel work. Can't say its simple, but you can't go too far wrong if you draw it on ,and take your time. I started with the nose, and worked from there. hope this helps. Colin or Sqbrigg might jump in here and help with instruction. There both excellent knife and chisel carvers.

[squbrigg]

My first suggestion, since this is your first walking stick and it is for a 'client', is do one to practice first! Get the feel for the process on another piece of wood first.

Colin is the expert on walking sticks for sure, not something I've ever done. I appreciate your confidance Hugh, and I have done lots of carving, so the basics are the same. Colin, feel free to jump in here and correct me if you disagree.

What I do, is sketch my idea on paper, then onto the wood, then carve the general outline or the major reference points, then get into shaping and detail.

I know that doesn't sound too specific, but I find it easier to do it, than talk about it. Practice first, you'll get the hang of it once you get chips flying!

Good luck,

Bob

In addition to all the above, which I agree with Lindy, I feel that your feeling a little nervous about this piece mostly because its your first walking stick. from your pictures, you have the wood spirit look on your bark carvings and you've done small spirits on your broach's. But, appling your first spirit to a stick is the apprehension.

I have never done a stick B4, and I would tackle it this way.

If the stick was long enough that I could cut off 6-10 inches and not effect the use of the stick I would concider that option to get a practice piece, but I don't know if that situation applies.

Next option I would then practice on a broom handle, to gain my carving perspective in this smaller enviroment.

Next option would be to cut some basswood into 1X1X10 inch lengths and practice spirits on them, again for the perspective.

Next option, would be to mail order a couple of sticks in for myself, prior to carving one out for a client.

After those steps build up my confidence, then I'd study your stick to apply some 'vision' as to where/what/style of spirit I'll carve to follow the sticks character.

Hope this all adds to your project. Goodluck and show us a pic when your done.

Coffeeman

From looking at your woodspirit pics it seems you have the technique down. I would suggest that if the stick is long enough you start with a woodspirit near the top (and trim the stick if it doesn't work) As long as your tools are sharp and you take your time you can carve ANY wood though some are harder, grainier, and more of a PITA than others.

Hold the stick and look at it as you turn it in your hands. Are there spots that call out for a woodspirit? Can you incorporate the knots, knobs, or curves into your work? Does the stick need a carved handgrip? Which part of the stick wants to be the front when you hold it? Take the time to get the feel of the stick and then mark your carving areas with a pencil and picture woodspirits/carvings in those spots. Visualize then realize. 8)

Or you could do as I sometimes do. Grab a stick, mark a few lines, carve away anything that isn't a woodspirit.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Or.....ha ha....you might try this tutorial!
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/jjellie...e/Page3D2.html Â* Â* Â*

or here is another http://www.oldjoe.org/WoodSpirit1.html

[jamesfa]

i carve woodspirits much like clifford parker i will study the piece of wood until something is revealed and then i just carve away what doesn't belong.-not much help.
you could have a look at
http://www.oldjoe.org/WoodSpirit1

he has a tutorial wood spirit for walking stick my be of some help.

good luck

Thats a good page for me. Very clear demonstrations to start me carving with the chisels and knife. Great stuff thanks !!!

OHHHH!! you wanted LINKS!! Though Hi-Ho sliver already gave my two favorites the following links can help you to find and develop your own woodspirit style also.

http://www.carvingpatterns.com/wooda...woodspirit.htm

http://www.tusedesigns.com/woodcarving/woodspirit.htm

http://carverscompanion.com/Ezine/Vo...Wispinski.html

Good luck on your first stick and be sure to post pics.

[Randy48]

Lindy, not much to carving a wood spirit in a stick. I did one in my cane one day at the doctors office. After waiting about 30 minutes, I kicked myself for not bringing something to read, pulled out my pocket knife and started chips flying. I was almost finished when the MP's showed up, it seems the lady at the desk thought I might get violent because they were more then an hour late in seeing me for my appointment and I had a knife in my hand I guess it's not a good idea to do a little whittlin in an army hospital