Walking stick

[Derwent Springer]

Hi all,

can anyone advise on sticks, what wood is recommeded and who to purchase from. Im probablly looking for a v at the top for my thumb.

Regards

Paul

[robertmark2006]

You need to find a long straight hazel stick with a nice V and put it away to dry for about a year. If the stick has a slight curve, you can steam the bend out over a kettle and manipulate it with your knee. You can shape the V to your requirement using sandpaper or rasp so your thumb sits comfortably.

[Derwent Springer]

Thanks Robert, first I will have to try and identify an hazel tree

Paul

[baguio]

What do you want to use it for? Hazel is fine as a thumb stick but pathetic as a beating tool! I always use either Holly or Blackthorn which will last years. Leave it to dry for a year in the shed and then you will be able to bend/straighten it using a bit of heat from the kettle. One point to note is, don't cut any shoots off too close to the main stick when it's green or your stick will split at each knot as it drys. Only cut them off close once it is dry and ready for working.

Hope that helps.

[Derwent Springer]

Stick wanted for walking nothing else, I intended to buy one but will look and see if I can source a suitable stick myself now.

Paul

[Andrew]

horses for courses but I find a thumb stick most uncomfortable. I prefer to hold the stick by the shank.
ash is a good one to cut as it makes a useful knob stick if you take some of the old growth with the new.
The best advise i can give you is if you see a stick with potential, cut it and use it. unless your showing the stick it doesn't need to be dried out and green wood can be straightened and serve a useful purpose.

[robertmark2006]

I only use a thumb stick on the grouse moors. I can push in down into the peat and lean on it while waiting for the drives. I certainly wouldn't buy a stick, too expensive and more so, since I have a habit of losing the odd one. I could cut you a couple if you are not too far away?

[Bwana]

When is the best time to cut a stick? ...................When you see it!

[cjaus]

That's what i do....then bung it in the garage and forget about it for a year or so

[Judy]

I've never understood why thumb sticks are symmetrical. If you clench your fist your thumb doesn't fall naturally into the centre of your hand, it lays to the side. So, if you cut a stick which has one half of the vee in direct line with the shank or body of the stick and the other half off at 45+ degrees from that, your hand will sit naturally around the stick. The only drawback being you can only hold the stick one way round although you can use it in either hand of course.

I lost my favourite assymetric stick when I had to drop it to disentangle my dog from a barbed wire fence, I then had a tantrum with the Shoot Captain over the behaviour of one of the guns by which time sticks were the last thing on my mind.