[norson]

Q: Is Osage Orange one of the hardest of the hardwood? My retired farmer neighbor believes it is and has great stories confirming that. My lovely bride of 62+ years found this stick in weeds almost over her head and it's also a beaut. Unlike her it's as crooked as can be but I think it's going to be SPECK-TACK-YOU-LURR maybe some day next week. I've not as yet decided the handle portion, but may add a piece of black oak that might work. It still needs approx 7,359 hours hand sanding, then 2-3 coats Minwax Tung Oil, and you can bet I'll do my best to post the finish pictures here. Once completed this will be Cane #104 - and another GOOD reason why I enjoy woodworking. Those grain patterns really float my boat.
-neb
ps - GOD BLESS AMERICA!

 

[Batakali]

I've never been fortunate enough to work with O,O, but have been told that it's a extremely hard wood! I wonder how much of a chore it would be to straighten? Can't wait to see it polished up! It's gonna be a beauty!

 

[norson]

I seriously doubt this could be straightened - Decided to use a dowel screw to attach black oak handle and needed to drill holes in approx dead center of both pieces. The METAL drill bit broke off fortunately leaving enough room for the dowel screw at the top of the hole. My wife came into the garage and asked what was burning. The smoke was rising as I was drilling that hole - it's that hard.

I managed to get that handle in place yesterday - Sat.

Let the serious sanding begin.

BTW, it's my plan to return to the same area we found this shank, after soy bean harvest and the chest high weeds have died off. There's got to be more sticks like this and if so I think I could put them to good use.

-neb

 

[Gloops]

Nice find Norson, it will make e good stick, keep sanding and smiling.

 

[norson]

gotterdone! And it's an amazing chunk-o-osage-orange. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out - especially the misc grain patterns and the joint between the black oak handle and shank. I'm not certain if this is a "keeper" - but may begin using it as my "car cane" soon.

 

[Batakali]

That is absolutely gorgeous! Another success my friend!

 

[norson]

The right cane with the wrong feel.

Has this ever happened to any others?

I worked HOURS on this cane - did not keep score and never will - but yesterday was the first time I really truly held/tried/felt that cane.

And sad to say, there's something wrong.

It just doesn't feel right to me. It doesn't fit me.

So it's going in the rack - as a sale item or give away.

It's not for me.

-neb

 

[RandyL476]

Great looking cane

 

[Batakali]

I've been there, lousy feeling. The only thing that made it better was finding someone with whom it did fit!

 

[norson]

My thoughts exactly. IF all goes as planned I'm dropping that off at our local Salvation Army retail store. The good part about that is perhaps it will "fit" someone who really needs a cane.

For $3.00.

I hope I'm not around when my family eventually sells my entire "keeper" collection for $3.00.

At a garage sale.

 

[Rodney]

I haven't made all that many but I have made a few flops. It's just part of the process. That's why some are favorites and some are hardly used.

It's a nice looking stick. Someone will think it's perfect even if it doesn't fit you.

Rodney

 

[norson]

DONATED to Salvation Army

 

[Gloops]

Well done and a nice donation to a deserving cause.