How to Make an Oak Walking Stick
Walking sticks are not just for people who have trouble walking. These sticks are great accessories for days out at fairs and festivals, and very useful if you enjoy spending your days outdoors on nature hikes. It takes a little time and effort, and some elbow grease, to make a nice oak walking stick, but considering yours will cost next to nothing compared to spending $50 to $100 in stores, it can be worth it.
Things You'll Need
- Sturdy oak branch
- Hand saw
- Box cutter
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Sand paper
- Wax or oil
- Paint or stain (optional)
- Decorations (optional)
Instructions
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Crafting Your Oak Walking Stick
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1
Find a sturdy oak branch. The length will depend upon your height and preferences, but a good rule of thumb is to look for one that is approximately 1 foot shorter than you are, but it can be as tall or short as you are comfortable holding. A 2- to 3-inch diameter girth is generally good, but again, go with your preference and what feels comfortable in your hand. When you find the perfect branch, put on your work gloves and cut it off the tree with a handsaw.
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2
Work on your branch outside to avoid the mess indoors. Use your handsaw to cut off any smaller branches, holding the saw parallel to the main stick. You may also wish to cut the very tip of your branch off if it is very thin and flexible to a point at which the branch is sturdier.
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3
Strip off all of the bark using a sturdy box cutter. Sand the ends of the walking stick and any bumps where branches were removed, using a heavy-grade sandpaper, 40 to 60 grit. Sand the entire stick again with a medium-grade sandpaper, 80 to 120 grit. This will smooth out most of the roughness. Proceed to sand it again with a fine-grade sandpaper, 150 to 180 grit, to smooth it out.
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4
Wipe the stick with a damp cloth. Allow the surface to dry, and sand it again with the fine-grade sandpaper. Keep sanding until it is completely smooth. Wipe it with a damp cloth again to remove the dust.
Options for Decorating Your Walking Stick
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5
Paint your stick. You can use any interior or exterior paint for this job, but choosing a satin or semi-gloss, or an oil-based paint, will prevent your paint from getting dirty easily. Fingerprints and dirt marks are hard to remove from flat or eggshell paints. You can paint your stick a solid color, or you can use craft brushes to make designs on it.
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6
Stain your stick. You may wish to use a wood furniture wax to polish your stick, make it shine and protect its surface.
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7
Affix decorations to your walking stick. .This can be a band of animal skin, copper wiring, or using leather or silk cords tied onto it. You can then hang beads, feathers or other decorations from the cords. Use wood glue to glue things onto your stick, and be sure to judge the placement so that you are not making your grip uncomfortable.
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Use a wood-burning tool to burn symbols or decorations into the wood. Do this before you stain, wax or oil the wood.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not cut wood off trees that do not belong to you. Ask permission of the tree owners, or contact a tree pruner to ask if you can collect a branch the next time he is pruning oak trees. Always wear protective gloves and eye gear when cutting, stripping or sanding wood. Always use all tools according to the manufacturer's instructions.
