Walking Sticks

I have been doing quite a bit of browsing/surfing since I began carving (all of a week ago ) and have decided to try my hand at stick carving. My question to the group revolves around instructional material. I have seen book upon book and site upon site dedicated to stick/cane carving but I am looking for specific recommendations from those carvers who have/are carving walking sticks.

Has anyone had good experiences with any particular item related to stick caving (tool, book or otherwise) that they believe would be of use to a beginning carver?

TIA,

CM

Well, I haven't actually carved a stick yet(they're drying right now, just wait till this winter though), but Tom Wolfe has good books out there(I've read all of... one, but it was good).

Walking sticks is my main passion, i bought several videos and books from differant artist,they all helped alot but when i purchased 'How to carve a woodfellow' by Mel McDanial,thats when my spirits and sticks came alive, i highly recommend this booklet to your collection. As far as tools go, i,m a power carver,so i use a dremel pro digital w/flex shaft, and just ordered a dremel heavey duty flex tool and a air carver.
Hope this helps . Paul

Excellent, thank you both for the info. It will definitely help.

Happy Carving,

CM

[Captain_Bandaid]

Marvin,
Sticks are a lot of fun and sell well at craft fairs (if you keep a sense of proportion regarding the price). I find that gathering the sticks gives extra satisfaction to making them. I used to use a drawknife to remove the bark, but soon discovered that if you own a small electric grinder, 4 to 4.5' wheel, you can really speed things up. You can purchase sanding disks that fit the grinder and if you use a coarse grit (24) it makes quick work of the bark. It also makes a huge mess so do it outside. If you have some scrap copper tubing, 3/4', you can cut a 1' ring and slide it over the tip to keep it from splitting from the pressure of actually using the stick to walk with. I use a wood screw to hold it but epoxy might work, too. I am planning to integrate my blacksmithing hobby with my woodcarving hobby by creating snakes, lizards, flowers, etc., that wrap around the top of the stick. I'll let you know if it works out.
Enjoy!

I was reading your post regarding instructions for carving walking sticks, and wanted to let you know an additional source of instruction that I have found very beneficial. Â*David Maggard has a video that gives excellent tips and tricks on carving Â*Woodspirits in walking sticks. Â*As most of you know David also has a video on larger Spirits also. Â*I think his video is carried by Woodcarvers Supply. Hope this helps. Â* Jimni

Go to www.stickmakers.org/ and www.walkingsticks.cwc.net/ for a little inspiration. These are good sights and I think you'll enjoy them.

I found Aspen to be an excellent source of walking stick material. Be sure to cut them green and strip the bark off quickly as they will stay white if done within a few days of cutting them. They carve well while still green and it carves very well dry too.