New Rub Sticks

[Randy Cornelius]

My son Riley is almost 17, he has been making rub sticks out of a native wood called Osage Orange or Hedge. He took several out to Denver and sold all he had at the Columbine Leather Guild meeting one night. I have one he made me and I use it all the time on my bench. He sands these down all the way to 1000 grit and then finishes them on a buffing wheel. They are well polished. If anyone would care to own one he is selling them for 25.00 plus shipping. If intereste let me know.

Randy

Edited February 2, 2008 by Randy Cornelius

[Mike]

My son Riley is almost 17, he has been making rub sticks out of a native wood called Osage Orange or Hedge. He took several out to Denver and sold all he had at the Columbine Leather Guild meeting one night. I have one he made me and I use it all the time on my bench. He sands these down all the way to 1000 grit and then finishes them on a buffing wheel. They are well polished. If anyone would care to own one he is selling them for 25.00 plus shipping. If intereste let me know.

Randy

For those not in the know, Osage Orange is also know as bodark (various spellings) and horse apple tree. The sap is like milkweed and it makes lousy firewood. It is, however, very durable. Houses in this area used to use it for the piers. They would last about 80 years or better. Very hard wood. Very bad on chainsaws.

Mike

[Randy Cornelius]

For those not in the know, Osage Orange is also know as bodark (various spellings) and horse apple tree. The sap is like milkweed and it makes lousy firewood. It is, however, very durable. Houses in this area used to use it for the piers. They would last about 80 years or better. Very hard wood. Very bad on chainsaws.

Mike

You must be confused as Hedge is some of the best and most cut wood for heating. He is cutting Hedge and selling it for firewood and has been for several years. It burns hot and lasts a long time in the stove. Tends to pop some so most don't use it in a fireplace without a screen.

[Mike]

You must be confused as Hedge is some of the best and most cut wood for heating. He is cutting Hedge and selling it for firewood and has been for several years. It burns hot and lasts a long time in the stove. Tends to pop some so most don't use it in a fireplace without a screen.

I did some research. Same tree. Most of the folks around here consider it a nuisance tree. We also used to use the trees for fence posts and cut down. When left alone, they grew back. The trees are murder to kill. The fruit is green and warty, it is round, about the size of a softball and sappy. It also has wicked thorns. I've seen the wood from a tree I cut down. Very nice.

I must say that his rub sticks look nice. Do any have grooves for edge slicking?

Edited February 3, 2008 by Mike

[Randy Cornelius]

[

I must say that his rub sticks look nice. Do any have grooves for edge slicking?

He says he can put the groves in for edging and also holes for making round riens but has not do so yet. He will take special orders for lengths etc. I am having him make me one special that has a curved end to get up under the cantel of a saddle to smooth out the wrinkles better.

Randy

[esantoro]

"Bandwidth theft". NEver heard that one before.

[Bob]

I'd be interested, have any pictures to post? I'm currently using a deer antler (poloshed up) for under the cantle binding to get the wringkles out.

[Rayban]

Question on rub sticks...does any hardwood make a good rub stick? Which wood is ideal for them??

Thanks

[wyoming]

Nice looking rub stick. What kind of wood makes the best bouncers, and where do you find a piece large enough to have turned into a bouncer? Also how much for the rub sticks?

thanks,