[Jesse James]

Hello guys, I've been working on this stick for a while now and it's had it's ups, downs, added costs, and errors.

Anyways thought I would share.

the square part is for a hand rest have not decided on which one yet which is why it is still rough.

 

[Gloops]

That looks like one mean snake, looks like a good bit of work has been put in and coming along great, keep posting looking forward to seeing it grow.

 

[CV3]

Well done. What is the wood you are using.?

 

[Jesse James]

quaking aspen wood, I have been getting pointers from the forum here and I went to a lumber yard. Though I bought green wood instead of dead wood. That was mistake #1 with this stick that was in july. To find out they hide the dead wood in a back corner of the yard so I will know better next time. I dried it out some and did bad things to it. The wood seems nice and dry now so there shouldn't be and cracking.

The dimensions are not as perfect as i would like on it. The body has been pretty difficult in shaping.

But I think I have finally turned the corner on it being something that I don't like to look at to seeing what it will turn out to be. I'll post progress as it comes along though it might be slow going.

Then again this is my first stick like this, a bit ambitious but it has been teaching me a lot.

 

[Batakali]

Well, if you don't try you can't succeed! Are you sure you want the hand rest? It might look cleaner without. Check out stinnet sticks on YouTube, he does a lot of snake carved sticks, you might get some inspiration.

 

[Rodney]

I like it with the hand rest. Either way works though.

Nice looking work so far. Should be a great stick when you're done.

Rodney

 

[RandyL476]

Nice looking work.

 

[BigDaddy]

Can tell you put a LOT of work into tgat... dont give up even though it hasnt turned out perfect. Its a good learning process.

 

[MJC4]

Looks good to me. I work with a lot of aspen it's nice wood to carve and finishes well.

There is a fella on you tube that has a very informative vid on carving a snake walking stick. I believe its Stinnett Syicks. Google him and perhaps you may pick up a few pointers on adding the scales.

Yours is coming along nicely keep posting

 

[Jesse James]

from the last post I have worked on the rattles but instead of carving or shaping I have found the aspen burns nicely into shape. Just trying stuff but it seems to have worked.

Currently finishing where the body meets the wood and waiting on a scale tip from Razertip 15 day shipping but my day job is taking up alot of my time lately.

I'll post more pics as soon as progress progresses lol.

 

[Jesse James]

Ok made some progress slowly. Rounded of the top of the shank/stick that is very nice for getting up from a sitting position. Burning of the scales takes alot of time and is very easy to get wrong as each scale has to be precise. Many fixes to be made still include sanding down of some of the scales, finishing sanding underbelly, Final sanding of entire stick, redoing the rattle, and a few more things.

Believe me when I say the before mentioned Mr Stinnet in his videos makes this process of stick making look very easy and effortless.

I am hoping to have this done by January. Busy season at my day (and night) job could start anytime but we will see.

I can say for sure that the lessons of this one will make the next one so much smoother.

 

[cobalt]

Very nice

I am not a lover of snakes sticks but hats of to you for nice work patience and the detail .Is time consuming that regular pattern must have taken a lot of care to achieve very effective. Sure you will have a good show stick there keep posting as your work progresses

 

[Jesse James]

Spent most of the weekend sanding and doing scales. Scales are finally done. Next more sanding, Belly scales, rework of some of the head details, and then paint and staining

 

[CV3]

You have done a great jod. Your attention to detail will make the finished stick a classic one.

 

[cobalt]

great work admire your dedication and patience . Pretty sure it will be a worthwhile job nice one

 

[Rodney]

Looks really good and yeah, those scales look like a lot of fiddly work. Worth it though.

Rodney

 

[Batakali]

Lovin' it! And the hand rest was a good idea!

 

[LilysDad]

This project reminds me of Moses. When he threw his staff down, it would turn into a serpent.

 

[Jesse James]

Ya I hear that Moses guy was pretty alright but he didn't say to much. . . .(bible joke) . . . super busy work week 10 hours Monday, 12 hours on Tuesday, 15 hours on Wednesday, today off woohoo.

I got 75 % of the belly scales done but I think I might have gone cross-eyed from focusing in on the small details so I have to put it down for now even though my hands and itching to grab some brushes for finishing.

Thanks guys for your comments and Yes Batakali I am loving the hand rest too I spent extra time on the sanding there down to 1000 grit. Super smooth

 

[Jesse James]

Just starting the painting process. This is just the beginning having only 2 colors on it at the moment. long way to go still.