Make your own walking stick
Find a straight branch, peel it, shape it and carve it into a walking stick you'll take on every walk. Your first one takes a weekend. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first stick.
Space neededA porch, yard or garage
First projectA plain stick in a weekend
Skill levelBeginner, with a sharp knife
Good forWalkers, hikers, quiet evenings
The video that hooks everyone
Carving a Celtic knot walking stick
How to carve a walking stick with an interwoven Celtic knot pattern running along its length, shown in the workshop. Press play and see why it hooks people.
Is this your video? Claim your page and share in the sales
Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't.
Starter kit
01A straight branch or hardwood dowelAbout 1 to 1 1/2 in. thick. A 1 1/4 in. dowel works if you have no trees.
02Folding sawCuts the branch and trims it to length.
03Carving knifeA fixed-blade knife for peeling bark and shaping the top.
04Cut-resistant gloveGoes on the hand that holds the stick.
05Sandpaper, 80, 120 and 220 gritSmooths the stick so it's kind to your hand.
06Rubber cane tipSized to fit the bottom of your stick. Grips the ground.
07Drill + 1/4 in. bitMakes the hole for the wrist strap.
08Cord or leather strapAbout 2 ft. for a wrist loop.
09Wipe-on oil finishBrings out the grain and keeps out a little water.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Cutting toward yourselfPush the blade away from your body and the hand that holds the stick. Wear a cut-resistant glove on the holding hand.
- 2Cutting a stick without askingOnly cut on land you own or with the owner's permission. Parks and forests have rules about cutting.
- 3Drying it too fastA fresh stick cracks if it dries in the sun or by a heater. Seal the ends and let it dry slowly in a cool, shady spot.
