Diamond Willow

[jamesfa]

i'm working on a couple of diamond willow sticks,which have been debarked and sanded.and i have a couple of questions
1)the sticks are still fussy-how do i get rid of fussyness?
2) whats the best way to finish these sticks?

[Donna_T]

Hi Jamesfa,
There are probably as many ways to defuzz and finish willow sticks as there are to do other carvings. I've had good luck defuzzing by using a piece of green Scotchbrite and just rubbing it up and down (with the grain) to eliminate the fuzzies. I've used a fine grit thin sanding sponge, but assume you want to leave some irregularities to keep it from being boring and slick.

Once I carve whatever it is I want on my willow walking sticks, I usually paint the carvings with thin, watered down acryllic or water colors. When it's dry, I just spritz it with matt or satin clear acryllic spray just to seal the carving and the wood. If it raises the grain again, I'll use a white Scotchbrite LIGHTLY over it just to smooth it out again.

I've used spray poly on them, but don't like it as well as the spray acryllic finish.

Of note: When I've peeled a willow stick, I sometimes like to leave a little bark on it in places just for variety. It's kinda cool to incorporate little limbs or knotholes into carvings.

Donna T

James I dont seem to have that problem with the diamond willow but then maybe I take them down further than you do. I use a carpet knife to skin the sticks then I use my Arbourtech sander with about a 120 grit sanding disc, and finish them up with a fine grit sandpaper. Once I put on the lacquer I then use 000 steel wool then put on my final coat of lacquer.
Hope this helps
Colin

[Kenny_S]

Believe it or not, Brown paper sacks. tear off a piece, wad it up and start rubbing. It takes the fuzz off plus it does not sand off the paint or finish.

Hi, I agree with the way your cleaning the sticks. I'm new at the diamond willow sticks, but would like to add this bit of information. I have been carefully peeling the sticks, and getting a very fancy raised design underneath the bark. They are covered with little raised diamonds, more than you could count. (not really) but a lot of them. When I shaved the sticks and sanded, they were sanded off. Is this something unusual? When there green, it is easy to pick under the bark, and they peel completely, and leave very little fuzz. Peeled this way, with the regular sunken gauls (diamonds) makes a very attractive walking stick. I can post a picture if anyone is interested.

Hugh we are always interested in seeing you work please post some pictures of your sticks. If I may add when I read this post yesterday I went to the shop to try and fuzz up my sticks and offer this advice. Yes I was able to fuzz the sticks by using 80 grit sandpaper but when I went to 150 after removing the worst patches it smoothed it out with no fuzz at all. I think you will find if you use a 150 for your final sanding you will be very happy with the finish. Today I get to spend the whole day carving diamond willow sticks I cant wait to get started I am going to try to get six sticks finished today, mind you I have only the carving to do. I find that the preparation of the sticks takes most of the time.
Colin

Hi, Colin I have placed a picture on the bottom of my stick web page. I wasn't interested in showing my work as I was to show you the pattern that was underneath the bark. This stick wasn't sanded only peeled and cleaned up mostly by hand. Then I oiled it and varnished it. Â*
http://www.feathersinwood.com/walking-sticks.htm this URL will take you directly to the page with the photo .

Hi gang,
I posted a picture on the picturetrail in the walking stick album of a hiking staff I did in diamond willow. I carved 6 woodspirits in the piece approx 5 ft tall. You can see that the diamond willow here has many diamonds in it this stick had 30 plus diamonds in it.
Colin

beautiful work. Inspiring to say the Least!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Colin...your woodspirits keep getting better and better if that is possible!