Paul@Ribchester Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Evening all, I have just been looking at some of the past beating stick forums and fancy having a go. Any suggestions on what is the best wood to use and what thickness to cut please? Any other tips would be great. Thanks, Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhunt Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 most people must a bit of hazel, grows nice and straight and easy to find ,bendy with a bit of give in it ,three quarters to an inch is about the right thickness, blackthorn can be nice if its polished up, hard to find a long enough straight bit though, a bit of 20 mm copper tube on the end makes a cheap ferrule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_mjs93 Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 i recently got into this subject and it is great fun, first thing, you need to very take cuttings of different woods, and see what you prefer, hazel is most common as stated above, vary in thickness, but no more than 2 inches, vary it though you will find the right style, get hold of some black water buffalow horn, great stuff, and incorporate that under a piece of deer antler on on the tips smoothed and HIGH polished it looks great, ferrules, either use some copper pipe (or copper end caps) or you can buy proper ferrules but they can be pricey, if you have a spent shotgun cartridge that has a good nck on it and as long as it is as thick as the stick itwill work fine, you can coat it in varnish but this can crack, you can use Bee's wax but this can be expensive, get yourself a rotary tool, i have ordered mine from maplin £19.99 for a rotary tool and 175 bits, these will help you cut down work time by DAYS but the main thing is, your first stick will probably be kak but i garuntee you will still be using it in 10 years time, providing it doesnt snap, it wont be great but enjoy yourself... happy stickmaking mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul@Ribchester Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Thanks for the replies, time to get chopping...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Paul If you can find it straight enough Holly would take a lot of punishment - It was traditionally used gor the beating part of a flail with hazel for the handle for resilience. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul@Ribchester Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Thanks Yellow Bear, I think I will cut a variety and see how they are in 18 months or so. Is there a trick in drying them straight? Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeksofdoom Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Is there a trick in drying them straight? The trick is to cut straight ones and avoid doglegged sticks. You straighten them by applying either heat or steam when they are dry and bending them into shape over your knee. I find that the best hazel is not the stuff that is growing in ditches but the sticks that are growing inside in small woods, because they grow straight up towards the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyuk Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 I cut some blackthorn last summer, hoping it will be good to use this summer, is that too soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adbirdy Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I would have thought that it should be ok, but it does depend on the thickness of the stick. Ade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 As a guide, air dried wood - 1inch per year. As an example, if you have a 2inch board it will take about 2 years to air dry down to a suitable moisture content (MC). As you would be using the stick in the outdoors, you may be able to get away with a shorter drying cycle, as you would not need to get the MC down to levels needed for items that are intended for a centrally heated home. Hanging the wood vertically (as it would have grown) may aid the process in some woods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.