A Collaboration on a Cane

[rodneywt1180b]

Thank you.  I hope so.  All the above is just practice so I can get the real cane right.  There are probably examples out there but I don't think there are many with tooled leather features.

YinTx's work is beautiful.  I'm just trying to make sure my end of this project is good enough to go with his.

[Riem]

Watching this one with interest... I have a few walking sticks, but none with a leather handle covering. I'll doubtlessly be so inspired by this thread that it will be one of my summer projects.

[rodneywt1180b]

Thanks Riem.  I find it fun and at times frustrating, you most likely will too.

I'm still oiling the walnut.  I even cheated and tried sealing it with a very thin coat of shellac.  Maybe 3/4s of it is shiny now but one side is fighting me still.  If tonight's coat of oil doesn't do it, I'll try some more shellac.  I think, depending on how things go,  either tomorrow or Friday I'll take some pictures of these mythical handles along with the shank and practice cover so we can keep moving forward.  The cover will sort of fit and will at least help give a better idea of the colors involved.  YinTx hasn't had a chance to do much but sit on his hands and wait so far.

[YinTx]

3 hours ago, rodneywt1180b said:

YinTx hasn't had a chance to do much but sit on his hands and wait so far.

Not to worry, I have lots of work lined up that I have been putting off, glad to hear you are feeling better, the creepin cruds are the worst.

I found a piece of grape vine about 1.5" in diameter, really light and seemed strong.  How do you know what will work as a good walking stick?  

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do with the tooling bit...

YinTx

[rodneywt1180b]

I think I've heard of grape being used.  Dead wood I give a solid whack on the ground.  If it breaks, it's no good.

Also check if it flexes a lot if you push straight down on it.

If it seems straight enough and strong enough it should make an interesting stick. Does it need a handle or is it long enough for a hiking stick?

I plan to write an article about what makes a good stick (at least to me) soon for my blog.

As far as the tooling goes, what does your dad like? That might give you some ideas.

[rodneywt1180b]

A few handle choices.  Keep in mind none of these has to be the handle chosen.  They're just what I thought the most natural choices were.  If they don't work, I'll use them for other canes.  The oak handle is a little smaller circumference than the other two.  The maple is a bit longer than the others.  The paper is there because my white balance isn't great.

Left to right.  Maple burl end caps on an alder core, white oak and claro walnut burl on a maple core.  This is the one that's been fighting me.

Same order.  The walnut has the same sort of bird's eye end grain as the maple.  It's just harder to see because it's so dark.

Maple with the leather from before and the shank to give a better idea of how they look together.

Oak

Walnut.

This 7oz leather makes for a bulkier handle.  If the weight is needed for tooling I can take more wood off the larger handles.  There will be more shaping done when I fit the handle to the shank anyway.

 

 

[YinTx]

Wow those look great.  I am really liking the maple bird's eye look, but the contrasting end caps from the walnut looks really good too.

Seeing this gave me ideas for tooling along the top, then along the sides.  I'll probably need a paper template of the final dimensions before I draw out the design.  

This is going to be awesome when it is done!

YinTx

[rodneywt1180b]

I think so too.  I have some more oak.  It's not great for handles but I can get some good end caps out of it.

EDIT: I'll mail you a pattern after you decide which handle you want.  That way I can get it sized correctly. 

Here's a smaller cane I just finished a few days ago using some of the oak I mentioned above. I'm thinking the darker areas might work, they're a more or less chocolate brown. Just trying to confuse things a little more.

Edited November 22, 2018 by rodneywt1180b
thought of more to say.

[rodneywt1180b]

YinTx chose his handle.  It's mounted and shaped to fit the shank.  I'll be able to start making the pattern for YinTx so he can get started soon.

No, I'm not saying which one he chose yet.

[rodneywt1180b]

The patterns are made (finally) and will leave for YinTx on Monday.  All I'm going to say is I suck at making patterns.

Edited December 16, 2018 by rodneywt1180b
fat fingered typist