Thread: Hiking poles for christmas

a little more done on the Chrissy projects
a few trails done on ukibori to get the right size for the griffins crop don't want them to be to uniform
1st pic a few bolts and hex keys used to punch holes in the wood.
2nd brushed boiling water on the indents
3rd the dried effect
5&6 getting to grips with the dodo needs tidying up the beak needs more shaping and marrying to a shank

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getting to grips with the dodo, got a hazel shank to marry the topper to.
and recarved the mallard
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slowly approaching the finish line with the dodo texturing the head
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Well he's looking good ! that is pyrography used on the head for the texture right ? What sort of burner do you use ?

yes it is. used a peter child machine its okay
slow job texturing but it does help

This looks great cobalt. Your work is so good.
Is it as fun as it looks?

yes it is fun to do, I enjoy of beat subjects
suppose it represents myself old and nearly extinct and a bit odd

Originally Posted by cobalt32

yes it is fun to do, I enjoy of beat subjects
suppose it represents myself old and nearly extinct and a bit odd

Haha Cobalt. Yep Off beat? Your definition describes me perfectly also.

Originally Posted by cobalt32

yes it is fun to do, I enjoy of beat subjects
suppose it represents myself old and nearly extinct and a bit odd

Decades ago now, when I used to make my living carving stick heads, only just & then with extremely long hours ! selling all my work to a top notch international market though one guy, a fellow maker with established contacts .

What I found in that market place at least , was a great appreciation of "off beat" subjects , after all look at the historical canes -loads of it about ! Even a non collector can be charmed by a non traditional stick , believe me.

Sure I've done a thousand dogs , hares & horses ! but think about it he serious stick collector ( who has the taste & money) already has them , he needs to be charmed with high quality & unusual "off beat " sticks.

I don't know how well this approach would work at a traditional country fair , but I suspect there would still be a place or it , don't dismiss it , at least you'd be noticed & different to your rivals a the next stall whilst enjoying the freedom of enjoying of exploring of our own creativity, which is where we do our best work.
Mike

will have more time on my hands no croquet season has finished so started painting the dodo more to do on it yet and sand back the bill and scratch some marks on to it to give the idea its been pecking
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not able to get into the workshop lately managed to restart the ukibori on the griffin hoping to get some time to finish it.Final coat of paint on the dodo but think I will scratch marks on the beak of it to give it that used look .The buffalo horn collar needs a bit of polishing and the shank needs oiling ,but getting there

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a bit of pyrography on the griffin whilst the dodo varnish is drying
I don't think I will be painting the griffin as wanted the look like a old stone maybe just tint the beak with ink .Tried to get the beak to look like scratched and worn so hoping when tinted it will give the effect. Not very good photo not sure how to edit post sorry
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I'm certain I can see a big improvement in the quality of your work over a fairly short time , hardly surprising considering the amount you make!
I think your painting & finishing are quite excellent , after all a Lime carving can only look so good but painting like that gives takes it into a whole new dimension of class .

Personally I never sussed painting all though I used to do some mallard & Eider heads in Holly & Apple & pyro them .
Looking at your sticks has inspired me to buy some blackthorn with T & L shaped main branch left on , God knows when or if they'll dry without cracking ! but I'm enjoying toying with the design ideas already.
Cheers Mike

I actually agree with Mike. Your work does look like it's improved a lot. You came to mind the other day. I saw my parents for the first time in 8 years and they both had canes. I've considered makng them some canes so I could have some questions for you if I persue this. You're like 'the' cane man to me.