[norson]

IF all goes as planned this will be the handle for Cane #99 - and I'd like to leave it as rough looking as possible, yet smooth enough to not hinder holding it . . . (does that even make sense?)

For the most part I always go for "SHINY" and "POLISHED" - but checking the grain and color contrasts in these two pictures you may agree with me (but if not, that's okay) - honest.

My question/issue is this: How can I leave it "as is" as much as possible yet still have it smooth to the touch.

These two pics are before and after sanding-my-eyes-out last evening.

thanks guys

-neb

 

[Rodney]

How does it feel to you?

If the shape is comfortable to hold I would put a couple coats of finish on the end, sand it again then put more finish on. The wood looks a little rotten and the finish will help toughen up and bind the fibers together.

If it's not comfortable then maybe a clear dome made of casting resin to get a comfortable knob or just cut the end off and put on a different handle.

I generally cut my sticks from larger pieces so I haven't had to deal with natural ends like that.

Rodney

 

[Ron T]

You might want to consider using a clear resin to fill in the top. I'm pretty sure that Gordon did it on one of his recent sticks and posted it. It shapes and polishes out very nicely.

I can see why you want to preserve the grain. It looks very nice.

 

[norson]

I've been working on Cane #99 all the live long week - and it finally occurred to me early yesterday morning.

Use one of those maple knobs as the handle.

So even though it took some jeanyous brain-power I finally got it into place and let it set long enough for the wood glue to dry and then sanded my eyes out again last evening.

I still need to sand some more and then the stain and finish coats.

Once completed the knob will not just be handle, it will appear as though it's being presented.

At least that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

 

[gdenby]

Looks good. The contrast between the gnarly wood and the smooth ball is nice.

 

[norson]

Ever so often I have one of those "moments" - when just some stick, found laying on the ground, becomes almost alive to me. And that happened yesterday with this "stick" that I hope will be #99 ~ AMERICAN ELM - within a few days and stored in our cane stand.

 

[Rodney]

Nice job! The knob handle looks like it belongs there.

Rodney

 

[norson]

Finish coats begun yesterday - the "Amazing Grains" really showin' off, now.

SPECK-TACK-YOU-LURR!

Have I mentioned lately I LOVE woodworking?

-neb

 

[norson]

STOP ME!

I'm like a runaway train! One of my buddies says I've got way too much time on my hands.

What he does not understand fully is he's never discovered anything like this....that was rotting away and is now PRESERVED - given new life.

I love it

 

[Rodnogdog]

Well done, Stickmaster