A walking stick query.

[SirGSS]

I've a quick question, and I really hope this is actually an appropriate forum for asking it. It seemed a logical enough bit to me, at least.

I'm not so much a fan of woodcarving, as a general rule--Not so much because I dislike woodcarvings.. Just more that, as an artist, I'm pretty horrible. Sure, practice can help, but I've always just generally been bad at conventional art.

One thing I have found a love for, though, is the shaping and work that goes into making a good, solid walking stick or staff. I love to just sit at home and work on one. It's a warm, safe sort of feeling, just losing myself in the refinement of an otherwise unassuming branch.

Most of my work in that regard is largely self-taught, and seems to have worked pretty well for the most part. I mean, I'm satisfied, at least. One thing that has bothered me, however, is a single project from last year.

Some very deep cracks were running up this old piece of wood I have--Nearly to the center of the branch and out to the edge. The wood itself is pretty sturdy (surprisingly sturdy, actually) and was one I found myself very disinclined to get rid of. So.. I thought "Why not put some wood filler into the cracks, and see how that goes?"

Long and short of it? I did. And, for the most part, it seems like it's worked. Recently, however, i've noticed that it seems to have started splitting along the edges of the filler, inside the crack. Like.. Separating from the filler itself. Is there anything I can do about this, to make the body more secure? Or maybe safely take on the filler?

Or do I, heaven forbid, have to consider the entire project scrapped?

This just seemed the best place to go to. Thanks for all advice!

[pallin]

Most wood has a tendency to crack (or "check") as it dries. Sometimes this process can be slowed or prevented by sealing, oiling, or some other finish. The filler may be separating from the crack due to a continuation of the drying process. If the walking stick withstands some bending pressure, you probably don't have to scrap it.

[mpounders]

It is a risk you run with green wood, but sealing the ends and other areas can help reduce it, as well as coating the ends and letting your sticks dry for a while (about a year for each inch of thickness is what's recommended). Some products like Pentacryl can also be brushed on to reduce cracking. You might try squirting CA glue (super glue) in the cracks and then reapplying some filler. CA glue is usefull for fixing cracks and as a finish in some cases.

[Buffalo Bif]

No matter what you do to a piece of wood, it will always move with changes in humidity over the course of the seasons. Most fillers are not flexible enough to keep up, and eventually cracks will form or the filler may even fall out entirely. If your stick is sturdy and you are attached to it as you seem to be, let the cracks be part of the art. As the wood reaches an equilibrium point the cracks should stop advancing. Sealing it will help, and keeping it indoors will too.