Zeus Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 How long and where should you season sticks? Ive cut reasonably straight lenghts of, mainly, Hazel and also a few lengths of Holly. I have read that Holly will take longer. Will It do just in the shed or would the loft be better? Zeus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Firstly i should de-bark holy its not nice bark on a finished stick. Hazel is always left in the bark of course. Time to dry depends on location its stored. I keep mine bunched up and suspended from the shed roof for at least 12 mnths, then they come indoors for a similar period. eventually they make it within range of the stove for a couple months. If you cut in the sap they will take an age, but like above 12-24 mnths if cut when the tree is dormant. like i say depends on location, a nice drafty but bone dry barn they might be quicker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Hi zeus. put them in the airing cupbroard that way they only take three to four months, mind you do have to have an understanding Mrs ( Love you sweetheart just in case you're reading this X ) Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeus Posted December 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 (edited) Cheers.....there in the shed tied in a budle and hanging from the frame.....I wont even bother asking the Mrs about the airing cupboard! Having had a look at them again, they are more suited to being used as beating sticks. Im on the look out for something more like a thumb stick. Zeus Edited December 5, 2012 by Zeus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llanshooter Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Usually allow 12 months per 1 inch thickness, minimum. I try and cut a few each december and keep em in the shed to two years before using them. Holly has a nice bark so would be a shame to take it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 (edited) Thanks Chaps! I was visiting family today and noticed they had been tending to an overgrown holly bush! I saw a couple of nice straight sticks, so they are now in the shed. How do you keep them straight durin the seasoning process? Also! How does one straighten a stick please? I also got another stick "sycamore" I believe! This has a great cut from the main branch which hopefully will allow me to carve a head in the stick. Edited December 19, 2012 by Lord Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 Think I heard of someone putting the sticks in scaffold tubes to keep straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 I was going to try some waste pipe to try and keep the sticks straight. Maybe metal tubing would offer a more rigid option. I need to try and straighten another stick if possible as it is buckled in the middle of the length. If I could straighten that stick I will be really happy It has a lot of potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 I strapped my holly sticks to some batten wood to keep it straight. Yes they will straighten just put them over a saucepan of boling water with a cloth over and then after a minute or so remove the stock and bend lightky in the correct direction over your knee, repeat again if neccessary. archi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 I strapped my holly sticks to some batten wood to keep it straight. Yes they will straighten just put them over a saucepan of boling water with a cloth over and then after a minute or so remove the stock and bend lightky in the correct direction over your knee, repeat again if neccessary. will this work on all wood? The holly is straight! It's the Unknown stick that needs straightened! I am not sure if it's Sycamore! It's just going to be a novelty stick! archi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 I think so have done holly and basic nut sticks this way Archi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbyduck Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 get a hot air gun (paint stripper not a stolen air rifle) scew fix direct are doing a deal on one £8.99.thats ok ,warm the area that you want to straighten slowly with the gun about 7inch away from the stick , try not to burn it, then bend the stick over some thing round (a log with cloth rapped round it so it dont mark the stick ) WHAT EVER YOU DO -DO NOT BEND IT OVER YOUR KNEE !!!! because if you do you will be needing one of your own sticks to help you walk ,just like me ! try the heat gun on a bit of stick that don't matter to much to start with ,you'll get the hang of it eventually... hope this helps DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Thanks will try that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 i hot air gun mine and them force them into the smallest tube possible - if its hazel be carefull of ruining the bark. Then they get left in the kitchen next to the aga, its both drafty and warm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeus Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Ive got a few lengths of Hazel and Holly hanging in my shed now, Luckily my father got hold of a seasoned length of Hazel from a friend of his and whittled it down into a nice thumb stick, which he gave to me as a Christmas present.....looks the busines! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have not got any seasoned sticks to make a new one :( My last thumb stick I bought and it subsequently broke whilst beating I was given a well seasoned stick but it's like a mangrove root and beyond straightening I am sure. There is a nice barley twist feature I am going to cut out for a head. I am.goi.g to have to bite the bullet and buy a new stick again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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