Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #174901 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 56 pages

From the Publisher
The author has spent his working life in engineering. Firstly as an apprentice and finally as a Director with special responsibility for jig and tool design and manufacturing methods. Despite the fact that every working day involved dealing with steel and their alloys, etc., there was always an interest in working with wood and the enjoyment in working with woodcutting tools.

It was not surprising that, on retirement it seemed a natural progression to find a hobby using wood as a medium, and his thoughts turned to woodcarving. However, whilst searching the library bookshelves for books on this subject, several books on walking sticks and relating methods of manufacture captured his attention.

After much interesting reading it was obvious that the subject was far more involved and interesting, and time-consuming than the layman would have first envisaged. It was a subject which would involve design and many facets of the practical side of manufacture and production ideas.
The bait was taken and the decision to "have-a-go" materialised.

Walking in the countryside with his wife Audrey was always pleasurable, so collecting a few shanks whilst out walking resulted in the ideal combination of exercise and a hobby in the making.
Almost twelve months elapsed before several shanks, collected whilst out walking, were dry enough to be straightened. Two particular ones were selected out of about a dozen, to be the experimental ones.

The first one chosen was a very nicely marked hazel shank for Audrey; the second one being a heavier ash stick for his own use.

The straightening process took some time but eventually the shanks were ready for dressing. A well-seasoned piece of sycamore provided sufficient material for two heads which were dowelled and glued, and once tips had been fitted, both sticks were treated with two coats of yacht varnish. These are the 'badged' sticks on the front cover.

Customer Reviews

Too small, too dear, little real instruction.
Disappointed is the word that springs to mind. Poor quality printing, even the dust jacket looks like a poor colour photocopy. Indistinct and badly exposed images. I could forgive all of this but the content is slim and on a very narrow focus. No help with mounting horn handles, V sticks, alpen points, finishing etc etc. If you only want to make a wrist length walking stick with a wooden handle then this may do you, otherwise look further.

This book is nicely written.........
The subject is fairly esoteric and at first glance may appear of interest to a comparatively narrow section of the population. However, that is not to say it will not be of interest to many who like to know what is going on inthe world. The narrative is nicely put together with many (black and white) photographs which clearly illustrate the ideas the author is getting across. Starting with a history of the subject the book deals with variations on the theme and describes alternative methods employed by craftsman, to produce the same article. The author's love of the subject is quickly apparent and his enthusiasm comes across. The book was so interesting and such a joy to read that I could not put it down until I had read it cover to cover!

More of an overview
This book forms more of an overview of the hobby rather than containing any detail of methods or techniques. Very little practical instruction, tuition or guidance can be gained from this book.