[norson]

Do any of you watch "Alaska The Last Frontier" ?? It's on the Discovery Chanel most Sunday nights and I usually watch it on Mondays - my usual practice, so I can fast forward through all the commercials.

Here's some important background information, please - quoting/copying/pasting: "Atz Lee Kilcher, an experienced hiker, suffered a terrible fall when hiking in Otter Cove. His injuries included a broken arm, a broken shoulder, broken ankle, a broken hip, crushed ribs and two punctured lungs."

~~

So Atz Lee is in the rehab process, and in the most recent program was out in the yard helping with some chores when I saw his cane . . . and almost shouted: "Diamond Willow" - for there it was. I stopped the recording did a rewind and watched even more closely - sure enough. There is no doubt in my mind, it's Diamond Willow . . . and could have been a twin brother of the cane I'm now using here in the house 24/7.

I did my best to capture that scene via my digital camera - here take a peek, please.

Yep...no doubt in my mind Atz Lee and neb have very similar Diamond Willow canes. But his could use some sanding and finish work - Formsby's Tung Oil, perhaps.



-neb

 

[Whiteroselad]

It looks like you won't be able to patent your design now norson mate! Never mind, it must be nice to know that there is somebody else out there whom thinks your design was a good one too. Regards, N.

 

[Rodnogdog]

It has been said that "Brilliant minds think alike"

 

[norson]

I found three Diamond Willow sticks here locally then received those seven from Alaska - with great joy. I've mentioned being at the doctor's office and another patient when he saw this cane stop in his tracks and proclaim "that's a diamond willow" and we had a conversation - he then asked if I got it in Alaska - I told him my story about pulling it out from under the headed-for-the-chopper pile. . . with the key word (to me) Alaska.'

NOW that event I watched yesterday confirmed even more, Diamond Willow sticks must in great abundance up there, eh, mate?

 

[Sean]

Diamond willow is in abundance in Alaska and in parts of Alberta as well from what ive heard. Its a very popular wood used for making bed frames, furniture, sticks etc. I've seen some pretty big pieces in diameter of it.

 

[CAS14]

Willow that has been affected by that northern fungus such that the branches are stunted and the wood discolored are among my favorites. Even more so than with other woods, each stick is most unique. I enjoy the mystery afforded by those discolored and recessed areas around the former stems, because it's interesting to dig into those a bit to accentuate them, knowing that if you go too far you'll lose the color.

Neb, you definitely have a unique cane that must generate a lot of interesting conversation.

 

[Rodney]

Sounds like Atz Lee is lucky to be alive. Looks like his stick might have sort of a natural pistol grip handle.

I really wish Diamond Willow grew around here.

We have a lot of willow here in low areas but I don't recall ever finding any Diamond Willow.

After I get my prosthetic leg and learn to use it I'll go check some of the lowland areas around here where willow grows.

Who knows? I might get lucky.

Rodney

 

[norson]

"Looks like his stick might have sort of a natural pistol grip handle." Yes, my stick, Rodney, had that exact same feature but my hand was not comfy with it in place so I cut it off and installed the hard maple knob to use as the handle.