lurcherboy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Cant find a section for this so here goes. I have to cut sticks every 2 or 3 weeks as they get mullahed when doing the beating part of the shoot. Question is, what type of tree will make the best stick, when is the best time to make a cut? LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 (edited) Hazel,holly,ash and if you get any with Honeysuckle twist in it I`m your man Cut when the sap is down(now til jan)but for thin sticks,ie. forefinger thick then any time as long as you protect it from too much heat. The danglers is of course blackthorn!!!!!!!!! Edited November 22, 2005 by henry d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted November 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Hazel,holly,ash and if you get any with Honeysuckle twist in it I`m your man Cut when the sap is down(now til jan)but for thin sticks,ie. forefinger thick then any time as long as you protect it from too much heat. The danglers is of course blackthorn!!!!!!!!! I have blackthorn HD, its over 70 y/o old and according to my old girl, my grandfather used it to beat the black and tans :o Thanks for the advice mate. Got a 1100 acre wood nearby comprising of lots of coppiced Hazel. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kip270 Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 If you cut the sticks now store them in your shed/garage but make sure they are kept flat, so they are stored straight, next beating season they will be hard as nails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Coppiced hazel!!!!.....F-superb matey,get them stools cut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted November 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Coppiced hazel!!!!.....F-superb matey,get them stools cut I will cut two or three hundred on Saturday, cheers HD Kip, I store them hanging, with a brick on the end to keep 'em straight. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baikiel boy Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 LB , Cut them now and store them in bundles standing upright for about 9 to 12 months . they will staighten with a little heat when they have "matured" . Regards bb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I'll be cutting the hazel sticks now the colder weather is here and the sap should be down. Also very good for long net sticks and for making purse net pegs. Don't fancy the thorns on them thar blackthorns !!!!. Have a few twisties with the honeysuckle round them but none are really good uns, I've wondered about binding some younger sticks with soft wire as they are growing to see if it would have a similar effect. Guess the honeysuckle has natural compliance where the wire wouldn't have but it might be worth a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Hazel and Blackthorn best cut in Winter. Season Hazel by laying flat in the garage rafters for 1 year and Blackthorn preferably 2 Straighten a section of a time over a steam bath and cool. You could use a heat gun but may scorch the bark. Burnish both with fine wire wool. Wax hazel & Lacquer Blackthorn. Digger & Rooster..... I know I still owe you both a stick..... Im working on it and should be able to get them finished shortly. Cheers. FM. LB..... Do you want a seasoned Blackthorn Stave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 (edited) Do you have any Carpinus caroliniana Walt. over there? It is also know as Blue Beech, Hornbeam, and Ironwood. One of the hardest pieces of wood that I know of, as a matter of fact it is only slightly under the tolerances of true Ironwood...Hop-Hornbeam Ostrya virginiana which has the highest density and btu rating of all woods in North America. You would never drice a nail through either of these species and in the days of olr they would make splitting wedges from them . The bark of the Blue Beech is a smooth unbroken slate grey with muscle like longitudal ridges wich give the truck a wavy or muscle like look. If you dont have it and you are interested let me know and I will tube a ccouple of them up and ship them to you. Would also be interested in a nice piece of Holly with a Honey sickle twist in it....going to need that cane soon.... Will post a picture of the sheppards crook that is 12 years old now , that I made from an Ash stick. Edited November 24, 2005 by new to the flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted November 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 Thanks for all the advice chaps B) Guess I better stop hanging bricks from them :*) I saw a Jack hargreaves programme when I was a nipper and said hang a weight on the end of them to keep straight. FM, yes please, Pm me details price etc. NTTF, those names mean nothing to me, but I may be able to help you with the holly. There are 5 very large holly bushes/trees in those woods. I will have a look over the weekend. BTW, did you make that one in the pic? Once again thank you Chaps B) LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted November 24, 2005 Report Share Posted November 24, 2005 LB Yes I did make the one in the picture......not just another pretty face eh.... B) If you would like a blue beach stick I will send you one. Just let me know how long you would like it and I will cut it this weekend. If you come across a holly stick that would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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