Hiking 06 Jul 2006 08:38 am
How To Make Your Own Carved Hiking Stick
Make Your Own Carved Hiking Stick
Making your own carved hiking stick can turn into a creative experience which will leave you with a familiar support during your hiking escapades.
Type of Wood
A very popular choice for a hiking stick is hardwood because it can get well polished and turns into a real master piece. Keep in mind that is extra hard to carve and extra heavy to handle which really makes a better decoration then support during long hikes.
Another favorite is poplar, it’s very easy to work with and carve on. It makes a wonderful carved hiking stick.
The lightest is the Northern White Cedar. It is touch to carve in too but extremely beautiful once done. It is a hiking stick you will have forever as they are strong and reliable.
Mostly you can pick on any type of wood you like as long as it is solid, not too heavy and can be carved easily. It is your choice. The length of the stick should not exceed more then under your arm pit.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Making of the Carved Hiking Stick
You need a well built pocket knife with approximately three inch solid blade which will not give way when you carve in solid wood. To protect your fingers get a locking blade.
Always cut away from yourself so you don’t end up with the knife stuck in you. Each wood cuts a little differently then the other so, you need to adapt accordingly.
Using your imagination you can carve anything you like. Usually the bottom end is wrapped with leather while on the top you can put a hand grip; this can be a piece of leather too or cloth, as you like it. These can be applied with glue; you may want to drill a hole to make a wrist strap. Some carved hiking sticks have pewter figurines on them, the sky is the limit. You can experiment with your carved hiking stick as much as you like.
Your carved hiking stick will bear your signature, individuality and personality. You can get ideas from online sites or stores as well as your friends and family. Some people get so much in love with the art of carving that they carve a lot more then one. It is in a way addictive, I must warn you.
The carved hiking stick created by your can be your very own personal support and buddy during a hiking trip.
