[Fatolbaldguy]

Greetings I just completed this diamond willow stick and decided to see if I could learn more. I discovered this forum. I was gifted the willow stick five years ago and it took this long for me to attempt to carve it. I was in mortal fear of ruining my only piece of Diamond Willow. I would like to make more sticks but diamond Willow does not seem to grow in the desert. Perhaps you fine folks can show me some alternatives. I truly enjoyed doing this one.

 

[Gloops]

Welcome Fatoldbaldguy,

Nice stick, made a good job of the woodspirit, can't help with what wood is available to you over there in Arizona but wood is wood give them all a try.

 

[norson]

NICE job - just wish I had thought of your marvelous screen name first.

 

[CV3]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Good job of incorporating your wood spirit into the shape of your stick. Not sure we're you are in AZ. I lived in Tempe for a number of years. There really is a good selection of trees in your state just do search for trees of Az. Many fruit trees, maple, western cedar, willow trees, Masquite and others. There area number of woodcarver groupe in your state too.

 

[gdenby]

Your caution paid off. Looks really nice.

Read around the site, there are lots of nice works shown and lots of technical pointers. Then ask away, most likely someone will be able to offer some solutions.

 

[MJC4]

Welcome to the site. Well done wood spirit. :thumbsu:

If maple and western red cedar grow around the area they are good woods for stick making.

 

[cobalt]

welcome to the site

 

[CAS14]

Welcome aboard! Wish I could carve like that. Maybe this year I'll have the time to learn.

Have fun out in AZ, and good luck finding some decent material to work with. Watch out for those rattlers when you're focusing on the wood! ;-)

 

[Fatolbaldguy]

CV3 I am in Buckeye. Pretty deserty out here. Most of the wood I have seen walking with the dog is pretty narly and some has outright thorns. There is a river near by ( no water in it but says River on the sign). There are some trees growing out that I will have to investigate when time permits.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sean]

Welcome aboard. Your stick looks great congrats.

 

[gdenby]

Thanks to Google street view, it appears to me that there's not a lot of trees around buckeye, but a whole lot of sand.

I also spent some time googling "Arizona trees." Seems like like some of the acacias might be decent for stick making. Mesquite too, if you can work around the thorns. One article said that mesquite can be carved when green because it rarely checks.

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Welcome to the forum...

 

[CV3]

CV3 I am in Buckeye. Pretty deserty out here. Most of the wood I have seen walking with the dog is pretty narly and some has outright thorns. There is a river near by ( no water in it but says River on the sign). There are some trees growing out that I will have to investigate when time permits. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think that's the Gila River. most of the rivers out there are dry until it rains. Check with tree services company's the Phoenix area. Tell them your a wood carver and looking for sticks. Some times they will tell you when they are taking down a tree and you can go and get some wood. But your right around Buckeye it is slim pickings. Treeline wood carvers store Utah is a good outfit and the sell sticks.

 

[CAS14]

I think that's the Gila River. most of the rivers out there are dry until it rains. Check with tree services company's the Phoenix area. Tell them your a wood carver and looking for sticks. Some times they will tell you when they are taking down a tree and you can go and get some wood. But your right around Buckeye it is slim pickings. Treeline wood carvers store Utah is a good outfit and the sell sticks.

Great suggestion! Two winters ago, an ice storm was the final blow for a beech tree down the street. The crew had a huge pile of wood along the curb about to be loaded and hauled off. I asked the homeowner if I could cut a stick, and she said of course. I ran home to get my pruning saw.

Now my favorite stout stick / shelelagh for those hikes where dangerous dogs or wildlife might be encountered is from that tree. Remember pugil stick training? I was undefeated. Even at my age I feel secure in any environment with that stick.

 

[Thistle]

Welcome and wonderful stick carving! Woodcraft may have some Diamond Willow sticks. If not, it doesn't hurt to ask if they can get a supply for interested stick carvers. I know I have seen them at the Tucson location. Not sure about the Phoenix/Chandler area.

Check Woodcraft Store Locator (LINK) online. Call or email them if you haven't found anything promising yet. Good luck.

 

[Steve R.]

Belated greetings. Very nice work.

 

[Steve R.]

Beautiful work. Welcome aboard!