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965 Posts
Hi, all,
I've noticed that several some cane vendors stress on their websites that their canes are only for balance maintenance. While I suppose this is an indication that the item is not for medical use, I also suppose that it is an indication canes and walking sticks are, as discussed elsewhere here, a matter of style. A costume element more than a tool.
My biggest area of interest is hiking sticks. For me, the number 1 consideration is function. The stick must be strong, with a comfortable grip area, and waterproof.
But having at least some embellishment is a close second.
My quandary is this. Most figure sculpture is done in woods that are not very hard. A few sculptors whose work I know have sometimes used wood as hard as oak, but much softer woods, walnut & cherry, for example, are much more common. Even softer woods such as basswood/linden are used, but often covered w. paint as the wood itself is rather plain. But if I want to make a really robust hiking stick, walnut and cherry (both of which I have, and am working on some cherry) don't seem strong enough.
I know that many stick makers make the handle or embellished area out of a softer wood, and join it to the harder shaft. This seems a reasonable method to me, altho I wonder about the strength of the joint.
I also wonder if the finer carving will stand up to long out of doors use.
So I'm wondering if anyone has a most preferred wood that is both durable and workable? I don't mind spending months working on something like hickory or osage orange, and would consider using power tools on them. But I produce so little as it is, a species a little less time consuming would be nice.
Or am I being over concerned about durability? I have made a few very light sticks for my wife, and she hasn't broken any of them yet. But then again, she's not going into any back country where the going can be tough.
I've noticed that several some cane vendors stress on their websites that their canes are only for balance maintenance. While I suppose this is an indication that the item is not for medical use, I also suppose that it is an indication canes and walking sticks are, as discussed elsewhere here, a matter of style. A costume element more than a tool.
My biggest area of interest is hiking sticks. For me, the number 1 consideration is function. The stick must be strong, with a comfortable grip area, and waterproof.
But having at least some embellishment is a close second.
My quandary is this. Most figure sculpture is done in woods that are not very hard. A few sculptors whose work I know have sometimes used wood as hard as oak, but much softer woods, walnut & cherry, for example, are much more common. Even softer woods such as basswood/linden are used, but often covered w. paint as the wood itself is rather plain. But if I want to make a really robust hiking stick, walnut and cherry (both of which I have, and am working on some cherry) don't seem strong enough.
I know that many stick makers make the handle or embellished area out of a softer wood, and join it to the harder shaft. This seems a reasonable method to me, altho I wonder about the strength of the joint.
I also wonder if the finer carving will stand up to long out of doors use.
So I'm wondering if anyone has a most preferred wood that is both durable and workable? I don't mind spending months working on something like hickory or osage orange, and would consider using power tools on them. But I produce so little as it is, a species a little less time consuming would be nice.
Or am I being over concerned about durability? I have made a few very light sticks for my wife, and she hasn't broken any of them yet. But then again, she's not going into any back country where the going can be tough.