[Rad]

Harvested a couple of future Shillelagh blanks -- Waxed the ends and tagged with date, we'll talk about them more in a couple of years! Waiting is the hard part -- I've got some other sticks that are nearing readiness.

 

[Sean]

Those look good. Make sure you show us some when you get them finished.

 

[Rad]

I will -- it will take some time for them to dry.

 

[Rad]

I went Shillelagh hunting over Easter Break! They are feild dressed and hanging on the back wall of my barn!

And I tagged many future ones out in the woods -- several with vines growing around them!

 

[CAS14]

You are going to have some FUN!

 

[Rad]

You are going to have some FUN!

It was fun just harvesting!

 

[Markus]

Rad, it looks like you had a successful hunt. What types of wood did tou harvest?

 

[Rad]

Rad, it looks like you had a successful hunt. What types of wood did tou harvest?

Ash, elm, oak, sasafras, -- I marked a lot of trees for harvesting later, including some muscle wood that I didn't know I had in the woods!

 

[Sean]

Those look like they are being well taken care of. It is a lot of fun just getting out hunting them down. I remember reading

on a woodworking/woodcarving site that some of the guys harvesting their own wood are a couple of years ahead,

cutting wood now for two or three years down the road.

I've now got plenty of wood now that I cut over a year ago but until we move the place is packed with boxes so working in the

shop limited.

 

[Rad]

Those look like they are being well taken care of. It is a lot of fun just getting out hunting them down. I remember reading
on a woodworking/woodcarving site that some of the guys harvesting their own wood are a couple of years ahead,
cutting wood now for two or three years down the road.

Yes -- it takes time! A couple I soaked in pentacryl (the ones with paper bags) the others I coated the cut ends with Anchor seal.

 

[Rad]

Sean are you moving far?

 

[CAS14]

Rad, it looks like you had a successful hunt. What types of wood did tou harvest?

Ash, elm, oak, sasafras, -- I marked a lot of trees for harvesting later, including some muscle wood that I didn't know I had in the woods!

"Muscle wood" - similar to "Power Steering" (it takes power to steer it) ?

 

[Rad]

Rad, it looks like you had a successful hunt. What types of wood did tou harvest?

Ash, elm, oak, sasafras, -- I marked a lot of trees for harvesting later, including some muscle wood that I didn't know I had in the woods!

"Muscle wood" - similar to "Power Steering" (it takes power to steer it) ?

Ha ha! CAS, not to many of the young bucks know what it's like not to have power steering.
Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam) is a small hardwood tree in the genus Carpinus. American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood. It is native to eastern North America. It is a shade-loving tree, which prefers moderate soil fertility and moisture. It has a shallow, wide-spreading root system. The wood is heavy and hard, and is used for tool handles, longbows, walking sticks, walking canes and golf clubs.

 

[Paul2281]

I went Shillelagh hunting over Easter Break! They are feild dressed and hanging on the back wall of my barn!

And I tagged many future ones out in the woods -- several with vines growing around them!

DSC02313.JPG

DSC02315.JPG

Dammit man,nice bunch of sticks ya got curing up there in the rafters...Any progress yet???

 

[Rad]

Most of them will be some time before I can work them -- I will take some pictures of the one I am currently working on when I get a chance. Thank you!

 

[Rad]

Well, the first sticks that I cutt for future Shillelagh's seem to be ready for continued work! It's been over 8 months for the one I immersed in pentacryl -- no spliting or cracking! I'm working on the sanding and will post pictures soon!

 

[Paul2281]

The first 6months or more are the most important on weather they are gonna be workable or not....

 

[Rad]

No pictures yet -- but started ebonizing the shaft today, I'll try and take pictures before I start putting a finish on!

 

[Rad]

Progress on the first of the future Shillelagh -- without the finish coat:

According to Carleton a proper Shillelagh "... must be naturally top-heavy, and have around the end that is to make acquaintance with the cranium three or four natural lumps, calculated to divide the flesh in the nastiest manner, and to leave, if possible, the smallest tast of life of pit in the skull."

I think my first Shillelagh fits the bill?

I'll post more pictures as I finish it!

 

[Rad]

I have it hanging in the finish room with the first coat! It has gone from this 8 months ago

To this

Probably a couple more coats before it's finished.