Walking Stick

[KimHoJo]

My neighbor cut back a tree this weekend and I found a branch that was just begging to be carved into a walking stick. I removed all the bark with a draw knife (it was perfect for the job; I peeled the 5' stick faster than I could peel a potato) but made a horrible sticky mess all over me AND the knife. In general, are you supposed to let the stick dry before removing the bark? I figured it would dry a lot faster with the bark off and that it would be easier to remove while still green, but after the mess I made I'm not so sure. Also, how long should it dry before attempting to carve? Is there a good rule of thumb to use?

[Colin-Partridge]

Kim not a problem that sticky mess if you get it right away usually cleans up really nice with soap and water. Failing that a little paint thinner or Varsol will do the job. I wouldnt leave the bark on too long after you cut it down. From my experience it is very hard to take off once the stick dries. I dont know about anyone else but I prefer to carve the stick the same day I cut it down although I know some say you should let it dry for a year first. Just my two cents I carve a lot of sticks and that is the way I have always done it.
Colin

[Smokey]

Generally the rule of thumb for air drying lumber is 1 year to the inch of thickness, however if you store the stick in your house and it is an inch or less, it should be ready in about 6 months. By the way do you know what species it is?
You can figure that about 3 inches on each end will split or check, but if you paint the ends it will be minimized.

[Mitchell]

What kind of wood is it? Some are easier to de-bark and/or carve than others green. Then there's the checking concern......

[AlArchie]

If that tree was an evergreen (coniferous), pine, spruce, cedar, arbot vitae, balsam, etc., that sticky stuff is probably pitch and it will take a solvent to remove it. If the tree is a deciduos, or leaf bearing, it's most likely sap that can be removed with soap and water.

Al

[Lightningbolt]

I too would be interested in just what kind of wood it is, if you know. On this board you're sure gonna find as many opinions as there are species of wood so here's mine>>>> Ideally I like to carve my walking sticks half green/ half dry. I have a very big covered wrap around porch so most of my sticks are always curing by the "hundreds" there despite how crazy the neighbors think I am!

Therefore, depending on a million variables such as humidity, season of the year, etc. I usually find about a month's drying is about right. The carving blades just seem to glide so nicely through the wood using the half & half drying method and that's what works for me. If I end up selling the stick before it's 100% dry although completely finished then it's gonna be a bit heavier than a completely cured stick. Sometimes the customer will comment on this but I assure them with a guarantee that it will continue to dry a little more and lighten up some more. My prices are exceptionally reasonably for the quality art received and I've never had a stick returned.

Unfortunately, most of the sticks that I carve have completely cured since I can't always wait to cut when I find some good saplings whether I need it just then or not. But the advantage of using cured wood is that I don't have to worry a bit about cracking of any kind.

[MrDantastic]

Can you carve on just about any type of wood, or do you look for a specific tree. I live in georgia, and it seems all we have around here are pines...

[Mitchell]

MrDantastic, there are some threads about selecting wood for walking sticks. I'll try to pull them up and provide links or you can do a little search.

A good place to start is the list of "similar threads" below. It's a nice feature of this site.

[AlArchie]

Over the years, some of the nicest walking sticks I have seen have been pine! The trick is, like for any walking stick, finding a suitable piece. Low branches that have growns straight and maybe even died off make good sticks. Small saplings are usually straight and if you have access make good staffs. they dry out light and strong.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

The exception to peel them right away is desert trees.....and plants.....mesquite is a bear to get off as is palo verde, when dryed in the sun for a year or so, the bark almost falls off and leaves a coloration that looks like a rattlesnake....Palo verde is a bright green bark and a yellow wood inside and also hard to get the bark off. Ocotillo is a great plant for walking sticks or canes but with the thorns...you have to wait until its dry or work yourself to death getting the thorns off....again, when its dry, the bark and the thorns almost falls off......but then, doubt you will be coming to the desert looking for walking sticks LOL