[Just Carving]

From the standpoint of strength, is it okay to use a 4' length of 1 1/2" diameter poplar dowel from a big box home improvement store for a carved walking stick or cane?

I might try carving one with a repetitve pattern on it just to see if I like doing a stick. Worst case scenario--it'll end up as kindling! Thanks.

[AlArchie]

If the wood in that dowel is sound, it should provide plenty enough strength,especially since it's only 4' long.

Al

[Thomp]

Bob,

i been thinking of the same thing,

if i used a premade dowel i would find one that had as near to a perfectly straight grain throughout and not run out the side leaving a possibility for a cracked cane to be a sharp stabbing hazard in a fall type accident..

i think the dowels we get locally are turned dowels not like the old kind that was pulled through a die. or spoke shaved down..

[squbrigg]

Bob.... they should be fine. Perfectly round and ready to carve. Don't know why more folks don't use them, with a bit of immignation you should come up with a pretty nice piece.

Bob

[Ashbys]

Bob,

I have been using poplar dowels from Lowes for a while now. I like them because they are clean , dried and will hold great detail. I have never had one break and have really put them through the mill.
They fit nicely into anyone hand small or large. They almost never splinter. They also offer them in oak , which I found was more like Iron they are that dry. I suggest when you go to finish, you use a conditioner, as the wood has a tendency to stain spotty without it. being able to pick and choose the piece is a great help , be careful of the green tinted lines as they do have a difference in the grain look fo r the ones which are clear toned.

I think you will be well pleased .

[Just Carving]

Guys, thanks for your help and encouragement. This is something new to me so I figured I'd ask first.

Ash,

I bought the 4' length of Poplar dowel but I wasn't sure whether to use it for a stick. It is clean--very little color to it--a few blotches of tan but not much to speak of and no knots. The grain is pretty much straight. I agree about the red oak. I've carved some and it is hard but it yields nice results especially in tool handles.

Bob (squbrigg),
I have started drawing an architectural spiral pattern with beads on the stick. This is more of a practice to see whether I like carving sticks and to do a bit of beginner's level of classic architectural detail at the same time. So we'll see what happens.

Thanks again everybody.

[squbrigg]

A carving on a cane or walking stick is a great way to experiment with different styles, shapes and designs Bob. There is no limit as to what you can come up with on a simple stick, the only limit is your immignation. I'm very interested in seeing what you come up with!

Bob