[newcarver]

Hi - I am new to woodcarving and this forum. I have cut a stick from a black walnut tree and plan to make a walking stick with carved wood spirit. I realize this is not a great wood for a beginner, but I'm up for the challenge...

My question is : What is the best way to remove the bark (tool)? and then what is the best method and tool to sand the stick prior to final finish?

Any help for a newb will be greatly appreciated.

Pete in SC

[whitecree]

I'm not familiar with black walnut, but most woods when green has bark that peels without too much trouble. I use a long, slightly bent knife to remove bark from alder, cedar and yew. Maple and cottonwood will peel with a small incision at one end, then just pull.

As to sanding before a final finish, I've always thought a 'knife' finish on a walking stick or staff looked good.

[squbrigg]

Black Walnut is a great wood to carve. To take the bark off, use a heavy camp/ hunting knife, or a two handled draw knife. This wood carves well and finishes beautifully!!!!!

Bob

[newcarver]

Thanks for the replys y'all. They are very helpful.
As far as sanding, what do most of you use (walking sticks)?; power sander or just regular sandpaper?

Again, thamks for the help,
Pete

[AlArchie]

Regular sandpaper works just fine. and for the final sanding I like to use those flexible foam backed sanding pds in the finest grade I can find.

Carving green (or wet) sticks is fine, but sanding them is best left till after they have dried a bit.

If you have one of those "mouse sanders", theycan speed up the process a bit and the small tips can get into the crevices.

Al

[tnartist05]

Yea just use a knive to remove the bark then hand sand it using sandpapers. If you are not going to paint your carving,then coat it with a stain and when dry coat with a polyurenthane{a few coats allowing each to dry} Then after you have your carving done go back and use different stains to darken or detail your carving. The stains will jump in your cuts BUTtttttttttttttt with walnut wood,the stains will darken it really dark. But other light wood/branches you might carve a walking stick in,the stains will high light all of your cuts and show the details. Hope to see your walkin stick when you've finished it. TnArtist

[bill#1]

All of you fellows missed a very important step ..i would clamp one end of the stick in a vise and it makes removing the bark much easier..in a simple wood vise or a C clamp will hold that rascal still till you get the bark all off..

Bill

[tnartist05]

That would work Bill, by using a vise if you was de-barking a stick in doors,but outside heck you can turn it as you have it free to remove the bark.Least that works better for me.Good point thoug,Bill.