Help with Walking Stick handle

[Doc Holliday]

After being kindly given by AndyCM some deer antler, I'm still looking to make walking sticks with deer antler handles for the Mrs & I and rather than bodge it up I'd like to know what's used to taper the antler so it runs neatly on to the stick.

 

Now, I do know that the stick and antler are married together first and then all is filed/sanded/trimmed to fit but as I say, I want to do it justice. Have had a look on utube and saw one guy using what looked like a pimped up Dremel but that was just shaping wood rather than antler.

 

Is there a tool to make light work of this or is it just a case of slogging at it with a various bits of sand paper and/or associated abrasive paper?

 

Thanks,

 

 

Doc.

[ianltz]

hi mate, i tend to shape mine up roughly with a dremel, just to remove excess material then im afraid its by hand with different grades of sandpaper. a good tip is to put some masking tape where ur deer antler joins ur stick, just to give it a bit of protection, i use a piece of buffalo horn for the joint between antler and stick, then use a polishing wheel to polish it till its shiny, good luck and lets see some pics when your done

[henry d]

Files, bas tard, then finer and eventually down to wire wool.

 

Just take your time.

[Dunkield]

As above I would shape the antler not the shank, and I find hand tools easier to control than power tools for this kind of thing.

[Fisherman Mike]

I used a second hand bobbin sander I bought off ebay for 25 quid. Its just made for stick making.

[Bazooka Joe]

Is there a tool to make light work of this or is it just a case of slogging at it with a various bits of sand paper and/or associated abrasive paper?

 

Hi Doc, all I've ever used to shape the Antler with my Priests/Walking Stick Handles is a 1/4" round file,

Chainsaw type, with the end ground off at an angle somewhere between 30-40 degrees, so I can use it as a scraper.

 

Don't use power tools as Dunkield has said, your not in control as much as with the hand tools, you'll tend to take to much off.

 

BJ.

[activeviii]

If you can handle a powder tool then go for a 4 1/2" grinder with a worn flapper disc in it, then a dremel with 1/2" drum sander then down to a detail sander and then finally hand sand and then onto a clean polishing wheel.

 

this works well for me but then i have always used power tools. dust mask, eye wear and ear muffs are a very good idea and if you can, go out side with the grinder as it stinks horrid.haha.

 

Phil.

[Bazooka Joe]

If you can handle a powder tool then go for a 4 1/2" grinder with a worn flapper disc in it, then a dremel with 1/2" drum sander then down to a detail sander and then finally hand sand and then onto a clean polishing wheel.

 

 

Surprised you've got anything left to fit on the stick........ :lol:

 

BJ

[activeviii]

Its all in the touch BJ...

 

..so i'm told.

 

Im just finishing a few priests for people and then im back on to making the sticks for a few friends again so i'll try and get a few photos if i remember.

[Bazooka Joe]

Its all in the touch BJ...

 

..so i'm told.

 

Im just finishing a few priests for people and then im back on to making the sticks for a few friends again so i'll try and get a few photos if i remember.

 

Yep....no probs Activeiii,

 

Look forward to the photos

 

Being cutting sticks myself lately, just woodnut, but I know where there's a lot of Blackthorn, so that's the next outing.

[Doc Holliday]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I got my stick last December. I pretty sure it's hazel. Is there any guidance on the diameter of the stick or is it whatever looks/feels right? As sticks go, it probably pretty thick, probably about 1" (25mm in new money). The one for Mrs H is definately more a lady's stick, about 20mm.

 

I've stocked up on some bits & pieces including teak oil, some 0000 grade steel wool and a few other bits & pieces. Went in to a specialist timber place the other day to get some more bits and pieces and ended up buying a tin of hard oil finish. Aparently it's used for gun stocks and is more durable and noroushing than other oils.

 

Any other tips you more experienced guys can afford would be greatly received.

 

Have started work so hopefully they'll be ready for Xmas. Yes, Xmas. As I will take my time to ensure they are as good as can be

[deeksofdoom]

Here are a few pictures which might give you an idea on how to join an antler handle to a shank.

 

 

 

 

 

[Doc Holliday]

Thanks for that Deek. What do you use to bond it all with?

[deeksofdoom]

Araldite

 

 

Leave a 1 mm film of it between the shank and the antler.

[deeksofdoom]

Here's one I made last year with a wooden dowel instead of a threaded bar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bigrob]

I find that the easy way to bring the antler and hazel together is to use a small belt sander - put it upside down in a B&D workmate. When it's running gently run your stick over the belt - turning it as you go - you can also clean up your hazel shaft with this - good luck - Bigrob.

[Llanshooter]

I've been doing just this earlier today on a priest and a walking stick.

 

I use a B&Q initation dremel with a felxible shaft and a 1/2 inch drum sander attachment for all my shaping. Then finish off with fine sand paper by hand to get a fine finish.

 

The only other thing i would suggest is not to use the 5 minute araldite, but go for the slower curing original version, I think this gives a stronger bond in the long run. Not sure it makes too much difference but why cut corners.

[johnbaz]

WEll

 

I've a load of antler/horn etc and have some hazel drying in the shed and still haven't gotten round to having a go

 

 

This little lot cost me a fiver from the bootsale...

 

i think i just need to make some ferrules now and i'm good to go!!!

 

I actually sourced it all to make handles for knives but then decided i wanted to make some hiking staffs....

 

 

John

[Dunkield]

Plenty to go at there.

 

Good work on the step by step DoD :thumbs:

 

If I ever do another stick I to cut the shaft on the angle like this:

 

[bigrob]

Here's a good tip - instead of using Araldite (which can be expensive if you are gluing a piece of threaded bar into hazel and antler) use polyester resin anchor ahdesive which is what we use in the building trade to glue threaded bar into brick walls to hold timber wallplates to the wall. You can get a tube from screwfix for £13.00 and that will do for 10-12 sticks. You will also need a silicone gun - they are 3 quid fom buildbase - hope this helps - Bigrob.