Walking staves

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Mar 13, 2017
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terra
Hi peeps
As have a back issue been using a walking stave, at the moment have two one is definitely Holly not straight .

The other not so sure as was a fresh fallen branch after storm Doris.

Now people have been saying that it's not a walking stave because it's not straight.

Is there a rule to follow or is personal preference to the shape ? .


Ps will dig out pictures later on so would like to see your staves .

Many thanks
Warpy.

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If you want it to be walking stave; a walking stave it is. Juliet has it,

'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'
 
If they are seasoned then you could have ago at straightening the sticks by applying heat and pressure. I've also got a couple of wonky sticks my self so there is no harm in having them. I've just collected some hazel the other day for my self which is now in the drying process.
 
The short kinked one is Holly got permission to cut that .

The longer one was a fallen stick. Not to sure what it is but hazard a guess it's willow.
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my stave has a long curve all the way along it a bit like a bow. its got a bit of a spring to it which i like.

i like the holly one zig zag fun.
 
My buddleia stave has a curve as well, I prefer to keep the bark on but holly does have a nice white wood, tends to be a bit heavy for some though.
As long as you are happy with then is all that matters.
 
I dont think a walking stick has to be any specific degree of straight to be a walking stick..... If it works for you as a walking stick then it's a tool fit for its job, end of.

Enjoy using them!
 
What you need to do is find some Chestnut that's been coppiced. Pick the lead bud out, leaving the two below to form branches. 2 - 3 years on, perfect thumb stick. :)

Around where I live is loads of Chestnut coppice grown exclusively for sticks that are cut, peeled, bent, and then supplied to the NHS. Did a season of cutting myself a few years ago, couldn't keep up the the old boys who'd been cutting since their youth.
 
What you need to do is find some Chestnut that's been coppiced. Pick the lead bud out, leaving the two below to form branches. 2 - 3 years on, perfect thumb stick. :)

Around where I live is loads of Chestnut coppice grown exclusively for sticks that are cut, peeled, bent, and then supplied to the NHS. Did a season of cutting myself a few years ago, couldn't keep up the the old boys who'd been cutting since their youth.

Nice tip about the thumb stock. Cheers


@warpedrazor The wonky stock has character i like it.
 
I believe here we call them walking sticks, hiking staffs, etc. They come in all shapes and sizes, both natural and what would be considered finished wood like ones you see in the movies and such. I'd like to post the ones I make but as of yet there's been no response to my inquiries on how to post pics from my PC to the forum as I can do in BCUSA. And if you want to see some wild looking ones, Google diamond willow walking sticks. Amazing.
 

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