Stickmaking: A Complete Course

By: Andrew Jones and Clive George

They're practical, decorative, and even elegant: a walking stick or cane, with a vee or with a crook, is one of the most useful and satisfying crafts items to make. Enjoy the entire process, from venturing out to find the perfect piece of wood, to bundling and seasoning the raw sticks, to carving, assembling and varnishing the magnificent finished projects. A master of the art reveals the insider's tricks of the trade, including what to look for when you gather wood; which flaws can be remedied; how to shape and straighten your stick without splitting it; and how to cut to size, fit a ferrule, and shape a handle. Begin with a basic vee-shaped thumbstick, or if you have something special in mind, dip in anywhere--you'll find the style you're looking for. Try a variety of simple, one-piece walking sticks, four Cardigan sticks, wooden crocks and market sticks, ram's horn and antler sticks, buffalo and ram's horn crooks, carved sticks in wood and horn, and a medley of fancier models.

160 pages (all in color), 8 1/4 x 11.