Blackthorn Shanks,

[redial]

Advice please,

I have wanted a B'thorn stick /staff for sometime but they go for quite a price.

I have the chance of some shanks cut twelve months ago.

I am not looking to do anything dynamic with them other than fit a non slip

stopper on the bottom, and bring out the natural colours in the wood.

How is this done please.

[Walker570]

Your going to leave the bark on I assume? Rubbed down carefully with some fine glass paper until the yellowish colour of the notches show and the blues and purples in the bark also start to show, then your choice of finish, oil or varnish. I usually finally rub mine down with those superb sponge emery pads, the 1/4 inch soft ones which will wrap right round the stick as you almost polish it with the finest grade you can buy. I like a good furniture oil because you can keep adding a bit year on year and buff it up again as it improves with age. Varnish scratches and you virtually have to strip it to start again. A simple 'cap' of rams horn on the top makes a simple finish. Cut a piece slightly large than the stick diameter and about 1/4 inch thick, then glue it on the stick and when set drill a 1/4 inch hole about 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch and then shave a piece of rams horn to fit in tight as a peg and glue this as well. That will stop the cap being knocked off sideways. Then work the rams horn down to fit smoothly with the stick and polish. Not flash, very simple but looks good. Hope this helps.

[Stimo22]

 

Some ideas, the two on the right are blackthorn, just give a light rub down and use clear Danish oil for nice finish