Reviews
Large, clear photos are linked to excellent explanatory text in this beautiful book on walking sticks, canes and staffs. Fifteen individual projects are described step by step, from a simple pine branch to flat walking sticks to carved patterns from Lora S. Irish. Directions are also given for a laminated, bent-handled cane. Self describes sevral different kinds of screw fasteners for joining canes and staffs made in sections, and covers what hardware is available, from screw-on handles to hame knobs. He even suggests decorative hardware from found items such as upholstery tacks or brass jacket buttons. Many of the canes represented are lathe-turned, but others are made from sticks with bark remaining, or root pieces selected for bent handles. The author goes into detail about tools needed for shaping and sanding, and is careful to discuss tools, adhesives, and safety-related issues. One section is devoted to sample color swatches of forty different hardwoods with their range of availability, relative cost, and workability. It would be nice to know you can acquire a wood locally, look it up in Mr. Self's list to see its grain and color patterns, then read about its durability and how well is stands up to drying and carving. A great feature of this book is a gallery presentation of the cane collection of Albert LeCoff, founder of The Woodturning Center in Philadelphia. The canes were gifts from accomplished woodturners, in appreciation of Mr. LeCoff's contribution to the field. Many are quite imaginative, and an inspiration to lead into the various projects., "Excellent photography and clear photos of procedures make up this wonderful tribute to traditional craft." -Woodcentral.com, "Excellent photography and clear photos of procedures make up this wonderful tribute to traditional craft." --Woodcentral.com
Table of Content
INTRODUCTION: A FEW GOOD STICKS.....viiiGALLERY: ALBERT LeCOFF'S RACK OF CANES.......1PART 1: GETTING STARTED.......11Woods for Walking Sticks, Canes, and Staffs...13Wood species...14Purchasing wood...15Using found wood...15Harvesting roots...15A Stick Maker's Guide to Hardwoods...16Storing wood...24Bending wood...24Sizing walking sticks and canes...25Adhesives, Hardware, and Fasteners...27Clamps...31Mechanical fasteners...34Tools for Walking Sticks, Canes, and Staffs...41Measuring tools...42Hand tools...44Power tools...50Eye, hearing and lung safety...55Finishes for Walking Sticks, canes, and Staffs...57The finishing process...58PART 2: WALKING STICK, CANE AND STAFF PROJECTS.....65Flat Walking Sticks...67Flat Walking Stick in White Oak...68Flat Walking Stick in Sycamore...70Flat Walking Stick in Sycamore with Hame Ball...72Flat Walking Stick in Mesquite...74Bark-On Sticks and Canes...77Pine Branch Cane...78Maple Stick...80Sumac Stick...82Willow Sticks...85Willow Stick with Natural Hoof Handle...86Willow Stick with Ball Handle...90Patterns for Carved sticks, Canes and Staffs...93Turned Walking Sticks...109Cherry Walking Stick and Camera Stand...110Two-Piece Cherry Cane...116Cherry and Rosewood-Handled Cane...122Sassafras and Mesquite Two-Piece Cane...126Sassafras Cane with One-Piece Shaft...130Laminated Canes...135Laminated Cherry and Oak Cane...136INDEX AND RESOURCES...141
