4 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Making walking sticks is a relatively easy craft to learn and can be rewarding both in terms of what you can create in a fairly short time and the possible monetary benefits that can be had by selling what you make. They aren't always used as a support when walking and some are more of a symbol of success and good breeding. These are more often called canes and the best ones are often made from ivory (which is illegal to use or buy these days) and are generally much harder to make than common wooden walking sticks.

The first thing to do is to select the stick you will use. The only thing to remember here is to keep as straight as you can find, and as a rule if it is for yourself to measure it our so that it is a little longer than your leg and can be easily used to support yourself without being to low or too high. A general rule with all woodwork to remember here is that too long is better than too short because too long you can always change, too short you cannot.

The thickness should be Dependant on how often you will use it and how much it will be used to actually support your weight rather then just being carried or walked with casually. If it is more of a decorative stick then it doesn't need to be too thick at all, but if it is being used as a hiking tool then it will need to be thicker dependent on the strength of the wood you are using.

The number or notches and smaller branches coming off the stick isn't too much of a problem at this stage, although if you have found your stick a long distance away from where you will work on it you might want to trim off some of the smaller branches to make it easier to carry home. However also watch out for branches that have similar sized branches growing out of them as they may leave a hole when you cut them out and may weaken the wood severely, rendering them useless for stick making.

Another thing to remember is that some wood contains high levels of sap and isn't suitable to use as the sap will continue to leak out after you have cut the branch, ruining the wood and staining your hands if you touch it. This can sometimes be gotten over using high grade resin to coat the stick, but can also sometimes eventually soften the wood and make it rot from the inside out if it is trapped inside with nowhere to go and no way of drying out.

Once you have done all this and cut off any remaining smaller branches protruding with some garden shears and a Stanley or craft knife for the finishing touches you are ready to strip the bark. This job shouldn't take too long and is easiest don't with the craft knife again.now comes the time to dry your stick. This is easiest done by leaving it in a sunny spot for a few hours or even indoors in an airing cupboard or other warm place. Just be sure not to leave it for too long or else it will become weakened and brittle.

You will be left with a smooth white dry stick at this point, and you are ready to sand it down to perfection, giving particular care to the knots and branch stumps left from your earlier shearing. Once you have sanded it down as smooth as you want to (some people prefer a more rustic and natural look and will leave some of the knots as they are) its time to coat the stick in resin or clear enamel paint.

There are a variety of products on the market that can do this job, and enamel paint is probably the easiest although it wont affect the color that much, so if you want a darker stick you should use a wood protective sealer first or a wood stain. Usually at least two or three coats are needed to completely seal the stick.

Lastly simply wait until it is dry and there you have it, your very own hand crafted walking stick ready for use with hiking or strolling through the woods whenever you need it.

Learn more about this author, Dambrath.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to make your own walking stick?
We want to hear your view. Write now!