I know I'm crazy

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi gang,
As you know I was out harvesting sticks for a commission when I had the mishap on the field trip(No pun intended) The commission was for a young couple that are getting married and their parents love my carvings and they wanted to give them each one as reminder of their special day. So yesterday with my arm in a sling I returned to the scene of the crime to get those sticks. I know you are going to think I am nuts but you have to know me. I promised I would have this commission done. So still in quite a lot of pain I retraced my steps. I figured I at least know where that barbed wire was now. It felt strange going back as if someone was watching me. I am pleased to tell you I harvested the sticks and five more besides I mean I was there and no use making another trip. So last night I decided that if I put the canes in a vice I did have full use of my right hand it shouldnt be too hard, right! wrong, I never would have guessed how much you use your left hand when carving. I have roughed out the two walking sticks it took me four hours to get to just this stage not to mention the two hours in took to debark them I have put a picture of the first stages of the canes and will update as I go.
Colin

[Thor]

Kudos Colin,

First, I understand working with an injury. I'm not sure it's good for you either, because my broken hand (from March) is still very painful after a day of carving, but my mood stays better. Good luck with the healing process.
Second, the sticks look terrific. Is the coloring in the carving from the bottom layer of the wood, or have you used a stain? I like the effect.
Thor

[AlArchie]

It's hard to keep a good man down! Great looking sticks, Colin, and I have to commend your determination to complete that commission. I'm sure they will be appreciated as great gifts. I'll parrot Thor's question.....is the darker color part of the wood layers or did you enhance it? also what kind of sticks are they?

Al

[wade clark]

You're right, Colin, You're Insane! ha! Nice walking sticks! May they travel together through life,for all their life, on many happy journeys!
Wade

[Colin-Partridge]

Thanks guys this is just the roughing out stage. No enhancement that is the color of the heart wood. The stick's are Staghorn Sumac the sap wood is very thin and the heart wood is an irridesant yellow/green color. When it dry's it is yellow. The outer two layers are peeled off. The first layer is an olive drab color the second layer is a bright green and then comes that really white sap wood. I think I am going to try a couple of sticks one taking off the first layer and seeing if the bright green layer will stay on. The other by just carving the heart wood.
Colin

[kaiserb]

Originally Posted by colin_partridge

Hi gang,
SNIPPED---
So yesterday with my arm in a sling I returned to the scene of the crime to get those sticks. I know you are going to think I am nuts but you have to know me.
---SNIPPED
Colin

Did you take a wire cutter with you to remove the offending fencing material?Sarcastic I am glad to here you are up and around and back carving. Those walking sticks look great!!!

[Kenny_S]

Well done Colin, I o admire your stick to it attitude. Goes to show you why people wants your carvings. BTW, the stick are great even at the roughout stage.
Take care
Regards.

[Ron Davidson]

Great looking sticks Colin. You are probably like me you could have both in a sling and would still find a way to complete a project. Ron

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

retracing your steps is not a good idea....! Might trip on the wire and do like Ron said, the other arm in a sling! lol That sumac is really neat.....too bad we don't have some of those neat trees here......but then...it wouldn't be desert would it? duh
Hammer

[Ashbys]

Colin,

Isn't it amazing how when a man of honor says he will do something will push himself beyond what he should. I am sure the young couple will be honored with the great effort , and admire the staffs for many years to come.
They are going to be wonderful gifts.!

Learning to carve one handed isn't hard... us beginners do it all the time Talking . But seriously if it was a long term disability which I am sure its not , I think it would be quite possible to overcome the problems your seeing. But what would never be replace is the feel of support from your other hand.

Great looking work !

Ash