Free Branch to Awesome Walking/Hiking Stick! (Simple DIY Guide)
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- čas přidán 28. 12. 2022
- [Non-sponsored Video]
Besides improving balance and reducing effort, walking sticks have a multitude of uses while hiking or backpacking. A strong stick adds a lot of versatility and doesn't require special skills or tools to construct one.
In this video, I show the full process I used to convert a Douglas Fir tree from my property into an attractive and functional piece of hiking gear.
This is a fun entry-level project using natural wood to make something useful.
Note: This channel earns a small commission if you make a purchase from the below affiliate links, which helps the channel to continue making content. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment Seen in this Video:
Council Tool 1.25 Lb. Hunter's Hatchet
Arno 6" Convex Forged Drawknife
RYOBI 15 Amp 10 in. Sliding Miter Saw with Laser, TSS102L
Elmer's Wood Filler: amzn.to/4bjZcOz
Harbor Freight 30"x1" combination belt sander
Craftsman 10" Drill Press
Craftsman Round File
1" Rubber Leg Tips: amzn.to/44VZtFA
Amazing Goop adhesive/sealant: amzn.to/4b4JPtC
Minwax No. 225 Red Mahogany wood stain
Zinsser Clear Shellac
Rustoleum white enamel spray paint: amzn.to/3UuqRFA
550 Mil-spec Paracord: amzn.to/3QReNgP
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You now have a quality walking stick due to your craftsmanship.
Great process. Beautiful stick! I enjoy making sticks myself. I love being outdoors and finding a piece with character of bent or twisted birch, madrone, pine or oak. There's no set way to making a stick. You can find down trees with plenty of dry wood. Just enjoy life... what the good Lord has provided and be happy.
Thanks.
Well said.
Well I just learned something. Drying time.
I cut 2 branches and de-barked yesterday. I'll let them dry and then continue.
The idea of writing a message is simple but something I wouldn't have. Gonna try that also.
Cool video. Thanks.
I have a stick I took from a beach at Santa Cruz during the rare snow fall last week. I'm going to make it a walking stick and this video taught me some great tips. Thank you!
Sounds great; glad the video was helpful!
omg..... nice work with the draw-knife. It's easy to get pre-cut, pre-rounded "staffs" nowadays...kinda takes the whole 'personal hand-work' out of it.... Good job.
Thanks!
Excellent…I am going to do this…..you were great teacher…simple to follow and you explained each step perfectly!!! Than you….Well Done!
He said in the beginning that you don't need any special tools, but he showed all of these special tools he already has. Even tools made in other countries. 😒
From experience, I know that making anything such as a staff or walking sticks, it doesn't matter the knots on a branch. The drying process already takes place the moment a branch separates itself from a tree (opposed to being forcefully removed by hand). So, using branches/sticks laying around on the ground in nature are the best options to use. You can shorten the knots and even smooth them out some, which gives the entire piece character. And if you wanna go even farther, you can go by every inch of the branch's shape and create significant and intricate designs along the way.
Great work btw. Looks like a pretty strong walking stick.
Thank you for the comments; I'll consider a follow up video using nothing but a knife.
The look of the wood is amazing, and your choice of wood was nice as well but I'm not sure how far I'm going to want to walk carrying a 10 pound walking stick that you need giant hands to hold. Useful info, however. Much luck in all your future videos and adventures sir.
Beautiful stick. I might experiment with your hatchet method. I usually use a plane to,remove knots from the sticks I make. For the foot I use a copper pipe cap then I put a long lag bolt in the middle I cut off the top of the bolt and file it to a spike. Then cover that with a rubber foot like you did that way there's a option if you need to dig in for traction.
A couple of the knots were quite long branch remnants. I could've cut them flush with a hand saw first and then leveled out the remainder with a blade, file, or by sanding. But the hatchet basically does both jobs in one step, so I believe it saves a bit of time.
I have not tried a plane, but have used a drawknife and carving knife to remove knots. I personally find it faster/easier to get the knots flush using the hatchet than a cutting blade, and the hatchet doesn't dull or chip when working with hard knot wood.
There are some caveats. The hatchet needs to be sharp so it cuts through the knots without tearing them out. Also, using the hatchet in the wrong direction will almost certainly result in splitting or cracking the wood if it's dry.
The best thing about this sort of hobby is that it doesn't cost you anything to try out new things. Have fun. 🙂
Nice project,well done
Thank you!
Great job - one tip that can be used is that I grind the nubs off the piece of wood instead of using a hatchet or a knife to remover them - sometimes I use a bench grinder and sometimes I use a portable grinder - but it works welol for me and is much simpler and faster.
I use a hack saw it works good for rough work
Cool - but it sounds like too much work for me@@user-or9vi8nf7l
Very nice, I made one myself and is a great walking staff also use as shooting rest for hunting
Nice job. Well explained. I like the comment of waiting for the stick to dry. The drying time is right on. I have lumber I cut with my chain saw and an Alaskan saw mill. It's coming up on three years air drying on the porch. 900 board feet of it is taking up space. But drying wood is so important.
Thank you for the comment. Yes, I have a stash of drying wood that I cut with an Alaskan mill as well (some of it showcased in my chainsaw videos), and I'll post more videos on lumber making in the future. It's one of my favorite topics.
Very helpful.😊
Nice job man that looks great. Such a great gift, I'm sure she'll love it.
Thanks!
Well done! I live in NE Oregon so I subscribed. Thanks - from Hells Canyon, Frank.
Thanks and welcome to the channel!
very nice staff...great color...even great as a tripod for your camera(mobile)..it is enough to ,monocular,stretching of the back and biceps behind the back on the hike and many others ..👍
Really enjoyed ur video just ur straight forward n simple approach makes it easy n not ramblin to much thankyou...
P.S. Got nother subscriber here lovely jubbly ...
Thanks for the comment and welcome to the channel!
Great advice! Thank you very much.
Thank you for the comment; I like your hiking videos as well.
Thanks
Looks awesome! I just got some boiled linseed oil for the maple stick I'm working on; I wonder how it would compare to the wood stain in looks vs protection
The boiled linseed oil will provide a light amber tint, but will protect better than typical wood stain. Once dry, linseed oil creates a protective polymer layer that better helps to prevent moisture entry. Have fun with it. 🙂
Gonna use linseed oil on my walking stick too. Would I just use the oil and nothing more or should I put like polyurethane or shellac over it or something?
@@jeffschmick8279 You can use polyurethane (I would not suggest water-based if it is for heavy use outdoors) once the linseed oil is completely dried. I'm using Minwax fast drying polyurethane (oil-based). Some people like to use Spar varnish (like Helmsman Spar urethane), or tung oil mixed with Terp and mineral spirits, but any of them will do. Depending on the climate you live in, you could even use beeswax or just leave it as is :) I would do some research on what would be best for you based on your location, just make sure it's *boiled* linseed oil, otherwise you'll be waiting a lot longer for it to dry!
@@jeffschmick8279 Once dried, linseed oil will polymerize, and this will protect the wood reasonably well. Once the oil is completely dry, any number of top coats can be optionally added to improve protection: polyurethane, shellac, polycrylic, clear enamel, lacquer, varnish, spar urethane, etc.
I recommend adding a topcoat if you're using boiled linseed oil, since manufacturers often add heavy metals and other toxins to the oil to reduce drying time. A food-grade linseed oil (or flax seed oil) will eliminate this problem, but takes longer to dry.
Oh yes forgot to ask if its OK to use pine branches for said walking stick ? I get that it has the resin in, this is why I'm askin bcos of time period, & the moisture content off of pine sap/resin, also it has just a wee bit of flex in it !!
I do have one or two others from different trees but it's mainly Pine n Ash, n birch i think ! Can't wait to have em dried out properly .. All the best a fellow enthusiast...
Sure, pine should work fine once it's dry as long as there's not an excessive amount of sap on the outer layer. The Doug Fir I used typically has just as much resin as pine. Pine is a softer wood and will wear a bit quicker, but also easy to work with, lightweight, and can have nice grain patterns.
Have you ever used Tung Oil?
I have not.
Oh but I do, with wood I grow myself. I get complemented on my sticks everywhere I go.
My sticks also have antler handles, brass, silver, copper embellishments and all sorts else that really makes them stand out.
you should use a wood file to get the knots out of the stick.