I started carving sticks as a boy when I was in the Boy Scouts.. I stopped carving in the late 60's while I was sowing my wild oats, then in 1993 I was attending the Kalamazoo Valley Woodcarvers Show, where I saw some carved sticks.. I fell head over heels over carved sticks and I have been carving them and selling them every since...
I would like to devote this page to all aspiring Stick Carvers in hopes that you might find this information useful.. I by no standard am an expert I still learn new tricks every time I carve a stick.. I do think that I should share what I have learned over the years so that I can make your entry into the art of Stick Carving a painless one...
Question #1: How do I go about finding sticks to carve?
Answer: One of the advantages of Stick Carving is the material is "FREE WOOD".. There are several ways Stick Carvers get their material you can hunt for it one stick at a time this way it gets you close to nature.. Or you can call on a local Tree Trimming Business, what you are interested in gets shredded.. Most tree trimming companies, will provide you with an unlimited supply.. You should offer to show your gratitude by carving them a stick from the material that they provide.... Another good way to get sticks is when a land owner has their property logged out.. The logging companies only take the main trunk and leave the tops.. Make the land owner an offer to help him cut up the tops for access to the brush piles most land owners will jump at this offer... I currently have over 1000 sticks in storage using this method it worked out GREAT for the land owner and myself. Storm damage is another way to get material most home owners will gladly let you clean up fallen trees and limbs...
Question #2: What do I look for when harvesting sticks?
Answer; When looking at a tree you should turn the tree upside down to see the cane blanks there are on average between 10 and 50 cane blanks in the average tree see illustration below... To harvest root stock I take a shovel and a double bit axe the purpose of the double bit axe is one side you keep sharp the other side is usually dull from chopping in the dirt... I dig down to the root with the shovel about 1 foot away from the main trunk when the root is exposed I then chop with the dull side of the axe about 1 foot from the main trunk until I have severed the root.. I have always found this to be a very interesting experience because you never know what you will end up with....
Question #3: How do I know whether to strip the bark on my sticks or leave it on?
Answer: This is not as difficult as it would seem when you harvest your sticks cut a piece that you do not intend to carve strip the bark and then store it you will know within 1 week or less whether it is going to check.. Some species that I have stripped successfully are Staghorn Sumac this species needs to be stripped as soon after harvest as possible or it will sour.. I have had success with stripping Maple.. Do not Strip any of the following Sassafras, Oak, Walnut or Cherry they will check..
Question #4: How should I store my harvested sticks?
Answer: You should store your sticks in a DARK PLACE I store mine in a storage shed and an enclosed trailer... UV light from the sun will cause a stick to check whether you leave the bark on or remove it... Some Stick Carvers seal the ends of their sticks with Wax or Paint, I have never done this because I believe it is overkill and that it retards the drying process.. I have seasoned over 1500 sticks using the method above and I have never had to throw any sticks away because of checking.... All of my sticks are ready to carve within 6 months after being put in storage... Heat does not seem to be a factor the shed that I use for storage reaches 130 degrees in the summer just make sure that air is able to circulate freely around your sticks...
Question #5: What kind of tools do I need?
Answer: First always buy the BEST TOOLS that you can afford and remember that cheap tools are no bargain.... I carved Sassafras for several years with just a jackknife but I would recommend a couple size gouges a V parting tool and a bench knife or jackknife for the softer woods.... Myself I carve all Hardwood so I use power I have a Foredom and a Paragraphic's tool.. Personally I have had bad luck with Dremel's after burning up 3 Dremels in 4 years time I finally gave up and bought the Foredom which I truly love...
Question #6: What makes a Cane functional and how do you measure the length?
Answer: To make a Cane functional the contact point or the tip of the Cane needs to be in a straight line with the handle... Myself like most Stick Carvers like to use bent twisted sticks, if you do this just make sure when selling a cane to someone that needs to use a cane for medical purposes that you follow the rule of the handle and contact point.. This is very important due to liability issues... To measure and custom fit a customer have them stand in a relaxed position with their arms at their sides.. Turn the cane upside down and rest the handle on a flat surface, (you may need to do this on the edge of a step if the top of the cane exceeds the handle) now measure the cane tip end to the knuckle on the backside of the customers wrist mark the cane and cut to length this is the proper way to measure a cane to length.......
Question #7: Where do I find rubber tips for my Canes and Staffs?
Answer: This is an issue that I take very seriously as you should to due to liability issues... Some Stick Carvers try to cut corners by using rubber chair leg tips that can be purchased at any hardware store or discount store.. I do not recommend this because chair tips are designed to slide across the floor, and they wear out in about 6 months they sell for about 3 to 4 dollars for a package of four.. Myself I use cane tips that you can purchase at any Medical Supply they come in sizes up to 1 1/4 and are designed to grip surfaces, they are steel reinforced they last an average of 5 years before the wear out you can purchase a pack of 4 for around $20.00..
I hope that you find this Information useful if you have any questions or comments please use the submission form and I will try to provide you with the answers...
