First two-piece walking stick

[Boydman]

Hi Folks,

I have really enjoyed working with this willow. Would appreciate some feedback. Thanks,

Greg

[mpounders]

That looks pretty good! The bear is great! I'm a little leary of opening zip files and such, so you might use the manage attachments to upload them next time. Nice stick.

[Claude]

Greg:
A lot of people are hesitant to open zip files. Here are your photos.

Claude

[Boydman]

Thanks guys, I guess I needed to place the photo's seperately. Had placed them into a folder.........lots to learn, been in the bush so long am new to computers also.

Greg

[Waitpinga Whittler]

Interesting. The bear is a nice touch. Is he burnt in? Seems too flat in the photos to be carved but I can't quite work out what was done. How does it feel to use with that 10 -15 degree tilt?

[Boydman]

Hi,

First the bear is a cast scrimshaw piece. I learned to cast my scrim years ago and now have a line of jewelry. We sell alot of pieces to summer tourists here.

The handle was put on with a coupler that I bought from Treeline. I am not really satisfied with the angle but, the stick feels and looks good. I have alot to learn about this and just returned from a visit with our local machinist. I will get better at lining up the shaft and handle...the end cap was cast from an elk antler. I cast most all my art now, couldn't keep up with original orders. Thanks for your input......next one will be better!

Greg

[Ron T]

Hi Greg, that is a really nice walking stick and I like what you've done adding the Grizzly and the elk button. The diamond willow is a really nice stick to work with. I'm doing one right now and love the contrast between the red diamonds and the white outer wood. If it is not too much to ask, can you explain how you did your casting of the Grizzly.

[Boydman]

Sure Ron,

I taught myself cold-casting to reproduce my scrimshaw and carvings. I can also make antler, stone, or ivory....and of course wood cast reproductions. I have never been able to keep up with custom orders with my busy schedule and did not want to do art as a full-time business. I am a retired military officer and still have a guide service here in Alaska. I love working with the unique diamond willow and will cast wildlife into walking stick handles and larger lamp art. We mix composite components into a resin base depending on our final product. I have made a great variety of products but, specialize in jewelry with wildlife themes today. Thanks for your questions.......hope this begins to explain my work.........I want to make two piece sticks with spruce shaft and diamond willow handles......ones that can be shipped in USPS tubes.

Greg

[Marvin Little]

Greg wrote " I am not really satisfied with the angle"

Greg, I find that if I dry fit everything and examine it from all angles, that I get a better joint and a better angle than if I epoxied it together without a dryfit examination.

Marvin

[Boydman]

Thanks Marvin,

I have several more that I am looking at..........and that sounds about the best for me. I am not ready to invest in time and money going the route of pool cues and machinist alignment units. The first stick looked good at the joint but, the diamond willow had such a bend that it made the finished stick not right. Kind of a trade off between the straight look of black spruce and twisted willow handles....I have alot to learn about this. I appreciate your feedback, nothing like hearing from the pro's like yourself.

Greg