new wading staff

Jeff,that'll be a treasure to have and pass down for years to come.Carved in one piece,or attached???
 
Very Cool.... form AND function. That's what good handiwork is all about.

This is a wading / walking stick picked up on the banks of the Co;umbia at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Stone from the canyon inletted in the top, but the goose head was already there - it just needed painting.

walkingstick 003 (600 x 399).jpg
 
I had seen similar designs before and wanted to do one for a while. The pattern is mine . Its 2 pieces , basswood to about 2 inches from where the paint stops, 1 1/2 inch closet rod from there down, joined by oak dowel. Still needs a more coats of spar and fine sanding before its finished.
With knees like mine I've had all kinds of walking sticks , the closet rods seem to heading into a favorite. I got one and cut it into 3 equal lengths. ( ok not equal , but close ) So now I " have to " do 2 more.
Its cut to length so that if its head goes under water mine would also ! =)

JOE,
one of my hunting partners is about 70 and usually "manages" to aquire my stuff like this. He jokes and says there a line in his will that says I get back all my stuff. Thats part of the reason I'm doing several of these. ;)
 
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jw

I like it. You certainly got some creativity genes in mt opinion based on the cool little things you come up with.

Speaking of walking sticks I made Thomas one to help him get around in the swamps we like to hunt. It's nothing fancy like that but we got a kick out of making it. I bought a shovel handle on the clearance rack at ACE and cut it as long as I can get between the centers of my lathe. I then centered and mounted it between the headstock and tailstock of the lathe and just started turning with no real plans other than what I thought would make a comfortable walking stick. In the end it has a bit or a bulbous end, then an slight hour glass shape for good grip, and then a sligh taper to the end of the stick. It fits Thomas perfect. To finish it off I put about 4 coats of Waterlox on it and took a brass plumbing fitting and threaded it to the end of the stick and filed it round on the lathe. An hour of piddling and we have a piece of equipment that will see years of use.
 
JW-

I like it, and your depth gauge idea. Southerners could have a level "watch for gators".

Looks like an idea worth stealing. I make canes once in a while from limbs pruned from my pin oaks, The limbs are straight and strong but I hadn't thought of a staff.


Bob
 
That looks great! I have been thinking about making me one for awhile now but wasn't sure what I was going to do.... now I know. So how long is it all together?
 
Lee ,
overall I would guess around 5'6" . The top would hit me about in the nose. I think a wading staff should hit no lower than your chin but no taller than you are. i joke about the water marks on it but its a good idea to mark a few inches lower than the top of your waders !! I got screwed up knees so most of the time I have some type of walking stick when in the woods, water or not.
If I get a chance I'll scan the pattern and post it up. I did 3 patterns , all a little different, Thats the one the wife liked the most so I did it first.
Go to the local chain store and look at the closet rods , then cut to length.
JUST REMEMBER........HAVE FUN !
 
I have three pieces of sassafras that have been rough shaved, need to be sanded, and then fit and pin/epoxy the heads on to do exactly that.

Read somewhere that sassafras was preferred - best mix of weight and strength.

Love the pose. I was going to do the duck with bill out, but was worried about breakage...now I know what to do!
 
Very good,sure beats the old mop handles I use. Where I wade it is a rocky bottom and you definitely need a walking stick. One thing I add is a streachy cord tied to my belt so if I drop it I don't lose it. You got talent Jeff.
 
thanks Pete, and Bill ,I hate to say it but even with it , NOTHING can save you from some of that stuff!!

I think it was last year when one of my buddys who was standing next to boat while 2 of us picked up decoys ( about 2ft of water) asked if the river was rising.........we never turned around, just replied" no your sinking " ! He was about waist deep at this point. =)
 
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