How to Prepare a freshly cut walking stick

[dwebb64]

Hello: Another newbie here. I just had to cut down one of our aspen trees and it seems such a shame to toss the wood out. It was about 4 or 5 years old and apx 25 feet tall. Another tree took the top out of it when it fell. I'd like to save the some of it for a walking stick so cut out a section about 6 ft long 3 5/8 at one end and 5 1/2 at the other end. My hands are really big so they just come around the large end where the thumb and pointer finger just touch. It has some limb knots still on it. My question finally is what is the best thing to do next to create a nice walking stick? The bark is still on it and I just cut it today.

Thanks

Dwebb64

[Soggy]

First off welcome to the forum; ...............now I'm far from an expert when it comes to walking sticks (we do have some members on here who specialize in them) but I've made a couple. I'm not sure if this method will work with aspen, but I can't see why it wouldn't. I have used maple for the ones that I have done.
When I peel the stick, I leave about an inch to an inch and a half of bark on each end of the blank. This seems to prevent the stick from splitting as it dries. I have also backed this up by wrapping a couple of layers of electrical tape to the same area. I then put the blank up on a rack in my shop to dry. The drying time will depend on the size of the stick, what the temperature, humidity, etc. is in your area.
When the stick is dry and I'm about to start carving I either cut off the ends where I've left the bark , or if I need all the length of the stick I then peel the last 1"- 1-1/2".
Hope this helps..........

Wayne

[dwebb64]

Wayne: Thanks for the tip. I know practically nothing about preparing wood or carving. I've collected a few sticks here and there but have been really hesitant to getting started doing anything with them. Most often the end up cracking sooner or later then I get discouraged. I look for a piece of wood here or there, especially when at the beach or hiking but don't know how to get started. I want to get involved carving with my son. He's a cub scout (just turned to webelo) and just received his knife widdling certificate (carving with soap).

I'll give your suggestion a try and I'm thinking of trying a wood spirit on it.

What do you look for in selecting a piece to make into a walking stick? Any specific diameter, length, other things? Should it be close to the same diameter on both ends?

Thank you for your help
Dan

[Soggy]

Dan as I said in my first post "I'm far from an expert", but the few walking sticks that I have made were made from maple which is fairly common up here in eastern Canada. I used sticks that were approx 1-1/2 " diameter at the upper end and perhaps 1" on the small end, and somewhere around 4-1/2 feet long.
Try this link ; it's the stick and cane thread here on the forum. Lots of info on there
Stick and Cane Carving - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board

Wayne

[R-OLDS]

Well with a big chunk of wood like you have you might consider carving this a snake on a stick.

Snake Stick Carving How To

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, dwebb. It's nice to have you here with us. There is no right or wrong when it comes to sticks. It's just what you find comfortable. Keep it as long or short as is comfortable for you. You can shave the stick down to make a nice hand hold/grip and keep enough wood on to make a nice carving.

[dwebb64]

Randal / Ron T. Thanks for the feed back. That snake is a totally amazing idea. Maybe a bit ambitious for myself since I haven't carved much. I am definately keeping it in mind. As I mentioned, I am quite the beginner so I might just get the stick prepared and practice on some of the other sticks laying around. As I mentioned I have some cracked ones I've collected. I'm now looking for a place to pick up a bench knife. Hopefully I'll find a place here in Portland Oregon (Oregon City area) this weekend to pick up a decent inexpensive beginner knife. I also have a dremel that I've used to carve out a Nova for a Pine Wood Derby. Identifiable but not too great.

What I've been reading so far on this forum explans a lot about why my past attempts using an off the shelf pocket knife have not been as rewarding as I'd hoped.

I also picked up the latest Woodcarving magazine last night and I'm starting to get excited at trying carving again. I was hoping it would have had some more detail on carving the wood spirits though.

Dan

[Mklein]

Aspen is fantastic stick making wood. It one of my favorites. It's easy to carve, light weight and the color variations from cream/yellow/browns ,make add character to your project. It takes stain well too!

I have collected Aspen in Utah and Colorado just for stick making. Most of the ones I collected are in the 3.5 to 3 inch on top with a taper down to 2 to 1.5 inches. Your thickness will give you many options. If you are a beginner play with some of the extra piece first.

I highly suggest that you peel it it right way before it drys out. It peels quick and easy. You may even notice the peels change color a bit when exposed to air.

Your piece is thick so you should not have problems with it warping as it dries once peeled. After you peel it give it some time (2..3 months do to the thickness of your piece) before you work it.


Have a fantastic 4th of July

[Mklein]

One more though. I have not had a problem with the wood splitting. Once peeled I have always cured the Aspen indoors. I live in Florida so the wood cures in a hobby room - not outdoors which is too hot and humid.

[Kenny_S]

I just paint the ends with any olf paint or before I ran out of, I used hot parrafin on the ends. Never allow any piece wait more than a couple of weeks before peeling. Some varities peel easier than others.
If it works for you, do it.
Welcome aboard and above all, ask questions. We all learn from them.Well, from the answers.