Walking Staff - first attempts

[Kerne]

I cut some hazel sticks from a local wood about 18 months ago and they have been in my shed drying ever since. I thought it was about time I tried my hand at stickmaking:

The top is red deer antler and the wrist strap is 3mm veg-tanned leather with my logo laser-etched on. The "handle" is some nice Italian upholstery leather I picked up somewhere and the collar is brass.

I used a rubber ferrule so that wouldn't make a racket on tarmac:

I straightened it with a heat gun (prior to making it) and finished it with Teak Oil.

Also made this one with a piece of red deer antler topped with buffalo horn:

And was so chuffed with myself that I took a trip up to the woods and came back with this lot ready for next year (or the one after...):

 

[fergsuk]

Those look great. Especially the first one. You must have the patience of a Saint to have them locked up for that long without touching them.

 

[ammo]

Lovely work, as always. It seems whatever you try your hand at, you do very well. Really like the top one.

 

[Big Stu 12]

I like that, I have a nice Hazle stick that I cut about 6 Months ago That I am waiting to make a stave out of,

 

[ozzy1977]

Very nice

 

[Clouston98]

Great work mate! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Macaroon]

Excellent work! I just love a good staff and those are lovely, in particular the leather handle/grip on the top one. All self-made gear is very much more personal, as we all know, but a stick is more so for me; probably 'cause it's always in your hand and becomes an intimate part of you while you walk with it.....................

 

[huntersforge]

Nice work there fella, I enjoy a spot of stickmaking myself. Beware it can become quite addictive

 

[Kerne]

Nice work there fella, I enjoy a spot of stickmaking myself. Beware it can become quite addictive

I know! I made 5 sticks in all and gave 3 away to my walking buddies. (No photos, sorry.) No more seasoned sticks to work with so I have to wait until the ones in the last photo are ready.

 

[WULF]

First attempts.............Superb!!
Like those alot,great work.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Nice work, reminds me I've got some hazel I need to check on.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Lovely work. I especially like the top one.

 

[2trapper]

Well done indeed. Beautiful results. Do you glued the leather or blocked wit a string?

 

[Kerne]

Well done indeed. Beautiful results. Do you glued the leather or blocked wit a string?

Thank you. There is no glue used. The leather is overlapped, holes punched and then bound together with thonging.

 

[HHazeldean]

Wow those both look really good! Fantastic first attempt, really nice