redial Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 I've found some nice Hazel sticks, quite meaty and gun barrel straight. Is there a any particular time they should be cut. If I cut them they will only be for beating use. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPP Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 I think that if you cut them whilst still growing they take longer to dry out is all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peck Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 They say cut them in the autumn or winter when the sap is down, but you may as well cut them now as wait till then, they may be gone if you leave them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 I agree with peck winter is ideal but cut when you see them just leave a little longer to dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 My grandfather used to say " Cut a stick when you see it, it may not be there when you return" and this related to many activities other than cutting sticks. Yes, at present the sticks will have max sap, so will take just that bit longer to dry out, but we are only talking two or three months difference. Make sure if you store them to dry they are laying flat fully supported or they wil set with a bend. I have a series of cross pieces screwed to my garage beams .. every 18 inches or so and I lay the hazels/ash/blackthorn etc., on these, supported the whole length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 Best in winter but cut them when you see them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted July 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 Thanks, They are on a fairly remote Welsh hill. I think it means a little more when you have the opportunity to cut a stick from a place you have fond memories of. I may make a fuss of one and give it to a dresser, who may offer a few ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 When i was making stick my pal said he would like to try having ago. He said how long do i have to leave them before i can start on one. I said they say say about a inch a year hell he said these are 5 footers thats 60 years , na it the diameter you twit , i said lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Cut it now and put it in the airing cupboard for three or four months jobs a gooden.but only if you've got a good lady who doesn't mind.. I think mine has just gotten used to me filling ours up ! Bless she's a keeper !!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 I used to cut a stick and cable tie it to the rafters in the shed and leave it till i had time to sort it in the summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Finished another stick today, blackthorn with a banksia nut turned up for the handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 (edited) Nice!! Two years ago I wound some thick baling twine around two young hazels in my wood and checking them today they are beginning to make a mark. I think it may take another two to be ready for cutting. Patience is a virtue in stick making. Edited August 17, 2018 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the enigma Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 On 08/07/2018 at 22:28, Walker570 said: My grandfather used to say " Cut a stick when you see it, it may not be there when you return" and this related to many activities other than cutting sticks. Yes, at present the sticks will have max sap, so will take just that bit longer to dry out, but we are only talking two or three months difference. Make sure if you store them to dry they are laying flat fully supported or they wil set with a bend. I have a series of cross pieces screwed to my garage beams .. every 18 inches or so and I lay the hazels/ash/blackthorn etc., on these, supported the whole length. My late uncle used to make sticks, and those are very words he used when i asked him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 2 hours ago, Walker570 said: Nice!! Two years ago I wound some thick baling twine around two young hazels in my wood and checking them today they are beginning to make a mark. I think it may take another two to be ready for cutting. Patience is a virtue in stick making. that sounds like aplan ....i bet they turn out nice................many years ago in another place...there was an old boy who had a big hazel coppice who used to train i think honeysuckle around the young wands and leave them for god knows how long............they looked weird and nice when cured and oiled............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 41 minutes ago, ditchman said: that sounds like aplan ....i bet they turn out nice................many years ago in another place...there was an old boy who had a big hazel coppice who used to train i think honeysuckle around the young wands and leave them for god knows how long............they looked weird and nice when cured and oiled............ Its amazing what honeysuckle can do for hazel staffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 (edited) Does a fair job on ash as well. Edited August 18, 2018 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 hahhhh............thats the ticket...its a long while since ive seen one of them................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 I beat on a piece of land with quite a lot of twisted hazel and ash and below are a couple of finished sticks. The centre one is a very rare bit of twisted blackthorn which I have yet to start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 16 hours ago, Stimo22 said: Finished another stick today, blackthorn with a banksia nut turned up for the handle Those nuts are fun to turn , here is a wee christmas tree with a bit of bog oak for the base Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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