walking sticks stick making stick cutting demonstration series 1

walking stick making from start to finish.
Website: www.woodlandsticks.co.uk/
Facebook: woodlandsticks

[@johnbennett3506]

Well now let me tell ya, I learned so much with this video. I am just amazed.

[@r.aharvey9230]

Excellent clear information,by one of essex s best stick makers .With a lot of years exp passing skills onto people who would like to learn the art of stick making,well done Dave...

[@randomboobdrag]

Natural twisty thumb stick, love it!

[@amandailes3637]

Fabulous lovely chap trying to help and advise people, thank you really helpful.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Thank you Amanda for your support

[@clayguinard3651]

I'm from Maine in the USA... Thank you for taking the time to share this information...

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Glad it was hepful

[@rarmstead]

Hi Dave, as a lad I made sticks, always looking for straight ones. You have rekindled my interest with your honest straightforward advise. Well done! Ray.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Ray Armstead HI Ray thanks for your comment glad to have rekindled your interest. Happy stick making Dave

[@HaraldHansen]

Thank you for the very informative video. I'm heading out with my 9 yo today to gather materials for our walking stick projects. The most likely candidate trees around here (southern Norway) I guess will be white birch or goat willow.

[@GrottoGroveGroves]

love this guy ! the words commin out his mouth, are so similar to my southern appalachian mountain grandparents speak. i can hear certain inflections .as well as advice. and like them, he is out in the woods . everyone should walk out in the wilderness ! who knows ? ya might even find a very valuable "twisty" .

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Love your comments, Made me smile,All the best Dave

[@MinuteontheMountain]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@robintopping62]

Can't believe it....you've got all the same tools (brands) I have. Difference is....you KNOW what you're doing with them. Robin Topping 25th June 2015

[@ethankast3617]

Thank you very much sir. I shall take your advice. Us Americans always have an interest in what's happening across the pond.

[@lifeorliberty3086]

Great video my friend.

[@Oldclimber1]

Judging from the comments here, the "looks" are just as important as the function. My personal preference is the bamboo walking stick, with the topmost section (cell opened) reinforced with a tight fitting dowel rod, glued in with epoxy. The bottom section (cell opened) is also reinforced with a tight fitting epoxied-in dowel rod, fitted with a 1" length of steel light conduit (epoxied and pinned), and capped with a rubber/replaceable foot. The hand grip is wrapped in white cord with an epoxy base for the whole top segment. They even look good, to my eyes.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

With stickmaking we all have to use the materials that are around us

[@detectingrose2221]

Just found your Channel I have learn so much already learned so much on this on the video I had been cutting them at the wrong time and can't wait to learn how to straighten them thanks. So much

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Thank you there are 9 videos on stickmaking

[@tammiejohnson4830]

You are a very good teacher! Thank you so much! I'll be back to see what you are up to next.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Tammie Johnson Stick making demonstration series 5 ,will be out shortly. Dave

[@jimpyre5038]

Thanks for this!

[@FlyTyer1948]

If you are in northeastern U.S., moosewood (aka striped mountain maple) makes very straight, strong & lightweight walking sticks. After cutting the stick, I strip the bark, sun dry it, & then fire harden both ends if the stick will be used for walks in the woods. For urban walks on cement sidewalks, I install a rubber crutch tip. Moosewood is so light that the sticks can be cut wider to avoid hand cramps from fatigue.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

That is interesting, never heard of Moosewood

[@gregrae6685]

FlyTyer1948

[@randynundlall2601]

Thank you for sharing sir!

[@thecountrysportschannel9225]

realy great videos would love to see some more

[@bygollystudio8567]

Thank you for the great video

[@DavidFraser007]

I've been out and about looking for sticks, I wasn't sure what to look for . This was a great video, or DVD as the nice man called it.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Thankyou For the comment, sorry I can't keep up with all this Jargon Dave

[@DavidFraser007]

@@woodlandsticks1365 No worries, I'm falling behind with technology too. I just wanted to say that I have 2 really nice walking sticks, one is a thumb stick with a buck antler and the other has a carved pheasant head. Both were made by my Mother cousin in the Highlands of Scotland. The problem is that the shafts are beautiful and I have 7 or 8 hiking badges in a drawer, so I want to make a stick and put on the badges.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

@@DavidFraser007 Hi You are right with sticks you want people to look at the carvings so badges will spoil them. Good luck with your stick making

[@joer5627]

Glad I found your channel. I know where I can get a supply of aged sticks. With winter setting in and a nice fire going - now that’s a good way to spend some time.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Hi Joe Hope you enjoy your new hobby Dave

[@davidcrabtree5845]

Other than publicly disclosing your lack of knowledge concerning hats, you have decided to be impertinent as well as rude. You know nothing of this man and his history, but judging from his apparent age, he might have been one of those "boys" who helped prevent you from speaking German for the rest of your life. The only thing wrong with this video is a bit of audio problems.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Thank you for your support. Bad comments are like dust on your shoulder, just brush them off

[@normanblastock9576]

Hear Hear,

[@lloyddoigan4134]

Thank you Mr. Slater - well done.

[@MrRealdealdd]

great video mate just subscribed. all the best dave

[@thatsmallrockshop]

You would absolutely love the diamond willow we have where i live. It makes beautiful walking sticks.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Yes most unusual, seen lots of photo's.

[@thatsmallrockshop]

@@woodlandsticks1365 we have thousands of them here. They say they grow like that due to a fungus that the tree grows around. Only a few places in the world where a person can even find diamond willow.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Yes you are lucky , our prized stick is the Blackthorn although i don't use it far too heavy for the sticks i make

[@redactedcanceledcensored6890]

Hello, I am planning to make a walking stick which would double up as a tomahawk-like axe handle (axe will be hung without a wedge). What do you think about using locust heartwood for this purpose? What are better woods for this?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Sorry but axe making is not for me

[@georgeksirakis8898]

what is your opinion on the practice of waiting for the waning phase of the moon to cut wood for walking sticks , supposedly because the wood then is not succeptible to rot and wear ? Thank you great video

[@fredmonroe6042]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge just subscribed 😊

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Welcome to the world of stick making Fred

[@Crusty_Camper]

There's a lifetime of fieldcraft in this video. Excellent.

[@robertadams3383]

Thanks very useful and helpful

[@versioncity1]

Hi Ethan, have you ever worked with pine for a walking stick? - My son (8) wanted to make a walking stick for his Grandad. We collected some sticks at a local pine wood, I've never done it before, but have stripped the bark and have now left to dry through. Is there anything I should do in the drying time to make sure they don't split? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[@carvinlambert6899]

VC1 Crape Myrtle is the best. it will not crack or split while drying...plenty of them down south.

[@ethankast3617]

I did manage to find a source of suitable sticks for stickmaking. This one sells hawthorn shanks and diamond willow, as well as a large number of woods not available in the UK like hickory and sasafras.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Well done Ethan ready to start soon then.Have heard that diamond willow is nice Dave

[@mencken8]

The stick I made is a bit thick by these standards, but that wasn’t my highest priority in selecting it. Not sure as to species, but it was a stick one of my sons brought home from a Scout hike, these many years ago. It hadn’t been peeled completely, and just sat in the back of the garage for years. I finally wanted a walking stick, and selected it for sentimental reasons. I used a spokeshave to finish the peeling, started sanding with 150 grit, finishing at 320, then rubbed in a half-dozen coats of tung oil. Late in the process, I had the idea of putting on a foot of paracord wrap, which worked out well. It’s hardly a work of art, but mine own.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Love your story. Now you have made one you are sure to make more. All the best Dave

[@crimsonbear9336]

One of best tools I've found ,when workin on sticks/canes ,is a utility knife.. aka Stanley knife.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

I often use a surgical scalpel but the blades are prone to snapping

[@raykemry954]

If ya have a private stick collection area wrap some wire around a sampling and in a few years you will have a twisty stick. Do be carefull in areas where poison oak grows it likes to gertile small trees.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Yes played with wire years ago even on Blackthorn

[@TheYorkshireDigger]

How do you season sticks? Is it just a case of putting it somewhere dry for a year?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

+roborapz Hi Yes it is finding somewhere not too hot with a good air flow and leave for a year to season ,Dave

[@franciestokes3195]

What amazing video Great experience you're video is so relaxing hello from Ireland ☘️🇮🇪👍

[@DavidFraser007]

I've got a stick like these. My Mothers cousin made them in Scotland, had it 20 years now.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Sticks will last years and years if looked after

[@mcneech]

your video is great but please get a microphone! can't hear you over the wind/when you're turned away.

[@toatalmoviemadness]

very informative but the mic could be improved could barely hear you at some points

[@davidfriend3072]

After watching this video I have made my first stick well happy

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Great Hobby, one is just a start

[@fionaomahony5279]

Wonderful series. I know winter is best for harvesting sticks but there is a thicket of blackthorn near me that is to be removed this autumn. If I take some sticks now will they be ok to use if allowed to dry for longer?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Worth a try ,leave the side shoots about 30mm that should help stop the sides of the stick from drying and cracking, wax the ends and leave the stick longer than you need you can always remove later.Now they need a cool place to dry slowly on a shed floor behind a north facing wall off the ground and a loose cover,well worth a chance good luck Dave

[@carot2003]

Interesting..

[@michaelmccabe6347]

Great video, and really insightful, cheers 👍

[@killmimes]

Hazle trees? Witch hazle or hazlenut? I am in the states

[@DreamSneak]

This will be hazlenut.

[@lamathunderbolt]

join us next week whilst we hunt for some hefty stones. see ya

[@bartram33]

After watching this video I was going to give him a bit of stick, but he would probably have made something out of it! 😊

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Very good

[@bartram33]

Nice to see you've got a sense of humour. Looking forward to part 3. Regards.

[@codybaird6084]

Love your video. Could you do one one how you gather your root topped sticks? I'm an aspiring stick maker myself

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Cody Baird Hope to cover all aspects of stick making in the near future Dave

[@codybaird6084]

awesome!

[@williamprendergast6510]

Excellent video my friend,i just found your channel and subbed.Look forward to studying your videos.Stay safe.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

You are welcom

[@robertwoodhall4427]

what about rose wood for a stick

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Rose is a good strong stick, i have used it befor seasoned it carefully to retain the thorns but they fell off

[@laurencefinlay6531]

Any problems with woodworm

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Never had woodworm, my sticks are all cut green, stored for a year, then they all go through a steamer before going in the workshop.

[@louiswickham9151]

hey, i am curious 1) how you deal with the bark? do you ever take it off? if so do you dry it with bark on? this is for green trees generally. Also, 2) why do you dry them a whole year? as i have seen many people just drying for a few months. id assume its to make it as strong a possible? fallen branches might need less time as its already partly if not fully dry id assume. Thanks!!

[@woodlandsticks1365]

We always cut green wood, cut when the sap is down, then left to dry out the remaining sap. this makes them stronger and less springy. Now as for fallen branches. Why did they fall. Insect damage. rot. there must be something wrong with it. We also steam all sticks to kill any unwanted insects. Look at my stick's straight and strong will last for years. Dave

[@louiswickham9151]

@@woodlandsticks1365 hey, thanks for the reply. I'm wondering more why you dry them a whole year? Because there is quite a lot of different drying times? Is it for maximum strength kinda thing? Thanks

[@woodlandsticks1365]

@@louiswickham9151 Different countries have their own climate. Hear I don't let mine dry too quick. We cut about 3-4 hundred a year so what's the rush.

[@josephdouglas2783]

Iv cut some hazel sticks from a root. And it seems that some sticks are not as heavy as others. Could this be a dead tree or mabye bug infestation? They seem to be just find just a wieght difference.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Hi Joseph Sounds like they are dead look for woodworm holes or try a rough one over your knee if it snaps in two its dead Dave

[@josephdouglas2783]

woodlandsticks thats exactly what i did. I broke in 2 dry as a bone. Thanks for your reply.

[@muranoandmilan3559]

Joseph Douglas high

[@raw6460]

Cherry picking hazel...Good woodland practice i would say is...please cut at the base to encourage another lovely stick to regenerate. Do get the owners permission, there's nothing worse than processing your coppice after a 7 year wait to find someone's cherry picked.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Yes Always get the land owners permission

[@zellafae]

is there a way to fix a walking stick that has split from drying?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Hi you could try wood adhesive poke it deep into the crack then clamp it together Dave

[@zellafae]

woodlandsticks Thank you!

[@ukprelude]

You may be better mixing up a clear resin and use the same technique

[@OOTurok]

Malinda Lee I found filling the crack with an epoxy to work best. Gives the strongest bond & prevents the crack from expanding any further.

[@ethankast3617]

speaking of which, what's the name of the facebook page you mentioned?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

HI Ethan the page is stickmakers and suppliers

[@stanyywhitney5768]

woodlandsticks

[@lukewagner8871]

Cut your stick and then for a month or so put it near the back end of your refrigerator. That will dry it enough to make it stable.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

I can't see my wife allowing me to put two hundred sticks behind the fridge. You are right there is a lot of heat behind a fridge but i still prefer to wait just in case the ends start to shake. Some have even laid them on a radiator to dry, Or the roof space in the shed. But i prefer to slow dry.

[@ethankast3617]

Hello Mr. Slater, my name is Ethan Kast. I live across the pond in the USA, and I need your opinion on something. I want to learn traditional British Walking Stick crafting, because I read "Stick Making: A Complete Course" by Mr. Andrew Jones and Mr. Clive George. Many of the native British trees and shrubs they mentioned for wood have very closely related relatives here in America, a good example being Hazel (European Hazel, Corylus avellana, and American Hazel, Corylus americana). Do you think American species would be suitable for British style stick making?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Hi Ethan, I can not see any reason that sticks you cut would be any better or worse than ours we use hazel as it is plenty full every ware and has a nice bark.Others we have like holly and ash we peal and stain as there bark has no pleasing colour or at least to me.So if it looks good use it.We use Facebook.To chat show and help with stickmaking the site we use is stickmakers and suppliers we have members from US worth joining to see what we do and get any advice you need. I am on there as woodlandsticks might see you there. Dave

[@Hopeofmen]

Hazel, American oak and maple are also good.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

I’m not finding anything as straight as hawthorn. Crepe myrtle is about as good as I can get. Not much character in it. Seems to be fairly hard and strong. By the way, I hope all’s well with you. Would love to see you make more videos. Much knowledge to be passed along. I’m certainly soaking it up. Thanks for sharing your skills.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Thank you for watching. Glad they have encouraged you, This is a great hobby

[@jayfromtexas6718]

@@woodlandsticks1365, just an update Mr. Dave. After a little research, I’ve added Yaupon Holly, White Ash, Elm and something called Ironwood. Haven’t seen Ironwood yet, was told about it by a friend whose looking for some. Apparently, no Hazel exist in Texas that I know of. Is Hazelnut and Hazel the same tree? I so wish you’d make more videos. Assuming you’ve retired from it. Sure could use more of that working knowledge you’ve got locked up. Hope you are well.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

@@jayfromtexas6718 Hi Jay I think the variety of sticks is different from us like Yaupon Holly, Ironwood, not even heard of. You could try growing Hazel from a nut Hazel, Hazelnut And Cobnut are all the same species. Some must be over there. More Videos maybe ?

[@woodlandsticks1365]

You can email me through my web site at the top of this page always willing to help Dave

[@jayfromtexas6718]

@@woodlandsticks1365 for some reason, this just popped up. Hadn't seen it. I will certainly email. I tend to get long winded.

[@MrWgoulding]

how long does sticks have to be steamed for straightening

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Hi, There are 9 videos on stickmaking and No 2 is all about stick straightening

[@MrWgoulding]

@@woodlandsticks1365 I did watch that but didn't catch the time of steaming

[@woodlandsticks1365]

@@MrWgoulding There is no exact time it depends on the hardness of the species of wood. so from 10 to 20 minutes

[@mikeomensetter6714]

.

[@jacobtaylor4258]

are you a norfolk boy.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Hell boy yip , Now a good owd Essex boy

[@jacobtaylor4258]

@@woodlandsticks1365 spent most of my younger days around great yarmouth, live up north now, in the longdendale valley, thanks for your time showing us your films, much appreciated.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

@@jacobtaylor4258 Your welcom

[@peterthomas1073]

What a pity you don’t respect the Hazel stool . Cut near the base with a downward sloping cut allowing water to run off stopping rot ,this will ensure a healthy and long life for it. Cutting higher will only reduce future quality rods and I am afraid shows a lack of understanding of Coppicing.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Peter. Coppicing i have done for years. To coppice we cut back the whole stool so that encourages all new growth. In the video i am only selecting good sticks if i leave a foot of stump that will encourage new growth to grow out of the stump to give me a block stick in the future. I have never found them to rot down to the base and damage the stool. But thanks for your comment. Dave

[@brotherbreeze8351]

I noticed that as well, mate. At 4:42 he claims, "you always find your best stuff in amongst this type of thing ( _points to the sucker shoots from a recently coppiced tree_ ) rather than a stool that's been coppiced recently . . . " It is a glaring contradiction in both words and actions. I think perhaps there is a cultural difference in word meanings or something going on here. I've also seen above that he does not handle criticism well, or the pointing out of his mistakes, so take care there, mate. He's fans that'll jump you like a dingo.

[@ipropositional]

1/ نستخدم منشار صغير أسهل 2/ القص بزاوية 45 3/ الزمن فقط في المربعانية قوة الشتاء 4/ يوضع في الظل 5/ويقومم مع حديد بالربط 6/ يترك اللحاء سنتين ثم يزال 7/ يتم حناء او تزيينة ثم وارنيش للحفط 8/ يغطس في زيت زيتون و سمسم و ودك شحم السنام للمعالجة 9/ يبعد عن الرطوبة للحفظ تجربتي الفعلية من معرفة والدي وجدي غفر الله لهم و ولوالدينا اجمعين

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Yes

[@daveb.6820]

You need a good pair of sturdy gloves, which you didn't use in your demo. Appearently you don't need a good pair of sturdy gloves.

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Watch again you will see i advise the use of gloves. i don't hands like leather

[@zerofox7347]

He said for black thorn and such.

[@eddieweber1568]

Wal-Mart sells them cheap

[@TN_HondaDad]

Eddie Weber no better satisfaction than making your own though.

[@nickieb5297]

Speak up man

[@woodlandsticks1365]

????????????

[@highanddryful]

Open your ears man! I’m 97 years old and I can hear this gent speaking

[@billyandrew]

What is it with all these old boys, wearing silly wanna-be Indiana Jones hats, getting these urges to make walking sticks? Must be an old-age crisis, as opposed to a mid-life one. KZbin is swamped with them. 😂😂😂

[@woodlandsticks1365]

Well, Well, Well. Billy boy What a sad life and future you have.

[@massnb]

People who spend time out doors like hats that give shade and sticks to walk with... Why watch a video like this if you're just going to mock it?

[@amandailes3637]

Why be so critical, if you do not like do not watch, really helpful Video lovely the chap has kindly done it, how rude you are!!!

[@woodlandsticks1365]

@@amandailes3637 I appreciate, and thank you for your comments Dave

[@barnsleyfieldsports616]

It’s better than wanting to sit in the house all day and do nothing Iv cut a few ash thumb sticks today