cchgn,
I would agree with most all you said about the knots. But to me if they are just small little limb knots, maybe a half inch or less, then I personally don't pay them much attention and use them as part of the shaft and the birdseye they allow. The others, I treat on an individual basis..... is there any character or k(not)? I will certainly use a rotten knot in the handle of a cane to provide a rustic character to the stick, or incorporate it in another manner. I'm not a Zen student, but I do kinda let the stick "tell" me how to work it. I do a little carving, but most often I look for sticks to harvest that tell me something, or show me something before I ever even cut them. I've only been at this hobby for a couple of years, so I'm certainly still learning from my mistakes.... and from folks like those that frequent this forum. Many thanks!
I would agree with most all you said about the knots. But to me if they are just small little limb knots, maybe a half inch or less, then I personally don't pay them much attention and use them as part of the shaft and the birdseye they allow. The others, I treat on an individual basis..... is there any character or k(not)? I will certainly use a rotten knot in the handle of a cane to provide a rustic character to the stick, or incorporate it in another manner. I'm not a Zen student, but I do kinda let the stick "tell" me how to work it. I do a little carving, but most often I look for sticks to harvest that tell me something, or show me something before I ever even cut them. I've only been at this hobby for a couple of years, so I'm certainly still learning from my mistakes.... and from folks like those that frequent this forum. Many thanks!
