Raw Materials

Walking sticks require many raw materials to make from scratch.

Shanks

I cut most of my shanks myself while out walking.

Hazel is most commonly available. Blackthorn, sweat chestnut are the main ones that I use. I normally remove the bark from sweet chestnut and stain the bare wood before applying several coats of oil.

Holly also makes nice shanks and I quite like it if it is not quite straight and has some random knots, which gives a stick "character". Great care has to be taken when cutting holly as the bark often has to be removed after seasoning as it tends to wrinkle, holly also shrinks by an amazing 30% in girth while seasoning as the moisture evaporates.

I have also used crab apple and ash.

How and when to cut shanks

Shanks should be cut close to the ground at an angle to allow water to run off and prevent rot setting in. The best time to cut is when the sap is down , generally November to February. There is an old saying that goes "when you see it cut it or someone else will".

After shanks have been cut they should be tied into bundles of about ten sticks and hung up in a non heated shed or workshop for a year or so to season. This is essential to prevent splitting. Sometimes the cut ends are sealed prior to seasoning to help with more even drying.

Carving woods for stick heads

There are many woods that can be carved, below is a list of the ones that I have used to carve stick heads.

Lime...The easiest and most user friendly wood to carve is lime because of its close forgiving grain.

Walnut is very hard and requires sharp tools but the finished carving can look wonderful.

Idigbo looks a bit like oak but is easier to carve and slightly lighter in colour.

Oak ...I personally like carving with oak although very sharp tools are required to get a clean finish.

Mahogany ...Mahogany may also be carved although the grain can be all over the place. However if you succeed with the carving it can look very good due to the red colour of mahogany.

Horn and Antler

Antler...Antlers are cast each year by stags between March and early May. I often purchase antler at game and country fairs.

Horn...Buffalo horn is most often used these days with less and less rams horn available in the right quality. To see how I bend buffalo horn go to bending buffalo horn

More information is given on my pages on hazel, blackthorn, antler and horn.