I'd like some opinion on this

[RTHolmes]

Danish Oil

[ozrocker]

Germans are well known for their "Volksmarches" and walking sticks.
Many are very old and well decorated with badges.
I would recommend looking for a website that explains the
steps they take to make a walking stick

                                                                                                                                  Oz

[fbWldcat]

Hey, guys. I have a sanding sealer and a spray-on minwax polyurethane that is highly resistant to moisture and UV rays.

I know what I'm gonna paint, but one last question...

Should I put a metal cap on the bottom of the walking stick so that when it hits a rock, it doesn't splay?

[Shuffler]

IF it gets good use I think I would just use an oil on it. That way no matter if it was scratch on rocks or the surface worn in any way... it would still be protected.

[RTHolmes]

^ this

[Barrett]

I don't know what the grain if this wood is like but if it's nice, I wouldn't paint it. Oil is good, or use a sealer. Maybe a nice stain to bring out the grain before sealing. If you use a varnish type product, thin it 50/50 for the first coat so it will soak in well, sand lightly and repeat.  I wouldn't use anything from a spray can for something like this - wont last. Good luck with your project - pics when you're finished ?   

[fbEagle]

I didnt read all the posts so if its been said already im sorry lol But Vegetable Oil works real nice to bring out the natural defects in the wood and also try using Sanding Sealer It isnt very glossy just has a little bit of shine to it. But ive only used it on lumber so it might soak in better and leave less of a shine with more porus wood right off the tree

[fbWldcat]

What I'm doing right now, I'm putting high quality wood filler into defects made by my own stupidity. I'm going to sand everything down, get the dust off with a tack cloth. I'm then going to apply the sanding sealer twice (sanding in between coats and I will also put about 5 applications on the ends).
I will then apply the paint (just a few things around the top). After all the paint dries, I will then apply the top coat of polyurethane  (it is in a spray, yes, but it is the same stuff you find in a can, just in spray form). After that, I will give it a light sanding with 350-450 grit, then I'll polish it up with a terry cloth.
 
Pictures will definitely be posted of the finished product.

Thanks for all your input, guys, you probably saved my @rse. I wanted to make this thing right. <S>

[fbWldcat]

BTW, if anyone speaks fluent Italian, could you please PM me?

[ozrocker]

This guy can help with Italian

http://youtu.be/9JhuOicPFZY

                                                                                                                              Oz

[fbWldcat]

I also have no other string for a grip except for some brown braided nylon catfish line, or some of the same stuff, only green. Would this stuff work? Nylon, iirc, is VERY UV resistant and is very water resistant, which is why they use it for anchors and on boats. Your guys' thoughts?

[Babalonian]

Hey, fellas. A few weeks ago, my dad felled my favorite childhood tree. I went to the house and picked out four branches that could be used as walking sticks. I used a knife to shave all the bark off. The end product* is a nice, natural looking walking stick with sanded knobs and top, and nothing else.

Now the asterisk is there because I don't know if I want that to be the end product. This last one I'm building is for a friend of mine. She likes to go hiking and fishing a lot. I want to paint something onto it that will make it a little moreso or something along those lines. So!

1. Should I use a primer if I am going to paint it?
2. Should I put a clear coat over it? Nothing like a gloss, but a flat or maybe satin for a more natural look? I like the natural look, the real question was clear coat or not.
3. If I use clear coat, how many coats of it should I apply? I figure put down the first coat, then sand it, then reapply. Sand and reapply if needed. Does this sound like a good idea?


Your input is much appreciated, thanks in advance. <S>

A couple old timers I used to hike with once in a while both liked a nice thich clear coat on their favorite walking sticks.  One was stained the other wasn't, both had some ornamental carving/whitling done to them before the treatments, one of them had these buttons or plate stamps he had put one clear coating over to help secure on, and both they had hand wrapped some leather to the top 10-14 inches or so as a compforitable grip.  It always made them shine and they never looked dirty no matter the trail and conditions, but I figure too much will add too much weight to the stick.

[SlapShot]

I also have no other string for a grip except for some brown braided nylon catfish line, or some of the same stuff, only green. Would this stuff work? Nylon, iirc, is VERY UV resistant and is very water resistant, which is why they use it for anchors and on boats. Your guys' thoughts?

Use paracord instead. You can find it on ebay and then google "walking stick paracord".

This is just an example ... http://www.instructables.com/id/Double-perfect-Whipped-Paracord-Staff-Hand-grip/

[fbWldcat]

I've already used catfish braid. It is #32 thickness and it is not only nylon, but it is also tarred, and it is actually a nice, comfy grip. It's working fine for the time being. Of course, being so new to this, I'm giving it to her with the guarantee that anything goes wrong and I will fix it, no prob. Lol

[fbWldcat]

Finished product:
















Thanks, you guys. I'm very happy with the finished product, and I'm sure she will be, too. <S>