[cobalt]

this site is worth looking at its the boarders stickmakers association , some hints and tips there

www.bsda.eu

There are many stickmakers out there some passionate about what they do others just happy to make a simple stick as a relaxing pastime there is no obligation to do anything .

For me its become a passion and a challenge and like to explore and improve my carving and looking at other peoples work gives you ideas how to improve and what to carve .Nothing can be made exactly as the one you have just done it may be simular but everyone is different.It also helps to look at other peoples work to move on from what or how your doing things as nothng stays the same.

To do the same style on a shank it will become uninteresting so i am always on the look out for new things. mind you nothing always goes to plan its just a matter of time before the next disaster and you take the axe to the stick .

relaxing and enjoying the craft / art of this its all up to the person doing it where he wants to go

 

[MJC4]

Thanks for the link Cobalt. The hints page has some good tips, I see the tubing for cutting animal eyes might work out for me.

 

[gdenby]

Clearly some super fine work. I wish they had been able to show pics of the winners in all the categories. In particular, I wonder how sticks w. wooden handles are being developed. I suppose the shaped established by the traditional horn topper is being recreated in wood, but I suppose there must be some innovation too, because the texture of wood offers so many opportunities.

 

[cobalt]

your right about opportunities , there are a few people going out of there way to get a different look, and they stand out. not everything works well. but the crook is still very much in favour with most stickmakers.

With the rams horn crook still looked upon as the best, and i have to agree with it, you can tell why when you handle them they just ooze quality

 

[CV3]

Out standing, thanks cobalt. Great to see some hooks staffs. That I think will bee my next cane. It will be a wood hook but not sure what.

 

[Alaska Rabologist]

Very nice....Thanks for sharing.....

 

[cobalt]

Thanks for the link Cobalt. The hints page has some good tips, I see the tubing for cutting animal eyes might work out for me.

not only are pipe the right diameter are used for marking and outlining eyes some of your fellow americans use a 357 magum spent bullet caseing for it .

th guy fixed it into his drill and lightly pressed it into his carving for the shape of the eye

I have no idea what size that is but it was a tip i read in a book by Frank russel called "carving wildfowl canes and walking sticks with power". Its a schiffer book for wood carvers. Not a bad book hints and tips on shaping and texturing feathers also some on painting

I also think you would find the section on wood burning feathers useful there are about 14 patterns although i dont think some of his patterns dont seem quite right