How to Make a Wooden Walking Stick
A walking stick is a great tool to have around if you are planning on taking a long hike on your favorite trail. You might also use a walking stick if your hike consists of going up mountain trails, as you can use the walking stick to help move up the trail for balance and to help take some of the strain from walking off of your feet and legs.Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Wood stick
- Utility knife
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Dust mask
- Old rags
- Linseed oil
- Wax
Instructions
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1
Choose the type of wood stick you would like to use to carve out your walking stick. You will want to take into account the distance and the terrain you will be moving over when you are deciding the type for wood. For example a big, thick stick might bear a lot of weight, but this type of stick will also get pretty heavy after a few miles of carrying it around. Pick one that will be comfortable and that will suit your needs.
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2
Put protective gloves on your hands and use your saw to chop the branch you would like to cut and make into a walking stick. Use the saw to strip away any of the branches connected to the stick you cut as well.
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3
Strip the bark off the stick. The best tool to use for this particular step is a utility knife.
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4
Put on your breathing apparatus mask and begin sanding the wood stick. You will want to use 100 grit sandpaper to remove and smooth knots in the wood, then 200 grit sandpaper to give it a real smooth finish.
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5
Take an old rag or towel and wipe away all the remaining sawdust from the stick. Make sure that you are still wearing your mask to keep from inhaling the dust.
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6
Pour some linseed oil on one of the old rags you are using and rub the rag over the entire stick. After you have generously applied the oil to your walking stick you will need to insert a screw in the bottom and hand the stick so that the oil can dry.
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7
Take some wax and wax your new walking stick. Make sure that the stick has had ample time to dry before applying the wax.
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