I first put up this page back in September, 1997 and have had many people visit. Their comments and questions have inspired me in 2001 to improve and expand this page to serve a wider steam brush audience. These pages describe the information that I have obtained about the care and maintenance of my Walking Sticks over the last few years. Recently (2008), it is clear that this species has become a serious pest in Southern California and I have modified this site to advertise this concern. Please see the warnings below and don't let your pets escape in to the wild. Making a walking stick is a fun and rewarding experience. You get to create the stick from the beginning and control how it develops throughout the bouncing ball entire process. In the end you have a very versatile utilitarian instrument that can be used in just about every daily endeavor, from casual walking to a tool for hiking.
It can be a creation that is admired for its beauty as well as its use. The straightness of the stick is not as important as the alignment of the top and bottom. A crook in the middle that returns to beneath the vertical of the top part is fine, and many people prefer the look of having a twist to the stick. The length depends on how it will be used. Usually
walking stick a length from the floor to the wrist of the walking hand will be for casual walking and support. If it will be used as a hiking stick, where you will be going up and down hills, then it should be about shoulder high. Of course a longer stick can always be used as a casual walking stick but will be a little heavier than if it were shorter.The diameter, or girth, of the stick should reflect your weight and its use. The heavier a person is, then the larger the diameter of the stick should be to support them. Also if it will be used in hiking there are 2 other things to consider. The heavier the stick, the more tiring it may become on extended hikes. However it should be thick enough to withstand jewellery the abuse of heavy hiking. The knots formed by branches growing from the main stick provide a lot of character to the walking stick. However knots can have a weakening affect on the stick and you must also remember it is more difficult to sand and finish them. Unless there is a great number of large and weakened knots, they are not usually a problem with mesquite since it is so strong and hard. They require extra work, but most people appreciate the look.Some sticks have branches growing from the main stick and they can be expanding file used as natural handles. Sometimes there are branches farther down the stick, which can be used as a second foot at the end. These are harder to find but it you want a handle and/or a double foot, then these should be just what you need.
It can be a creation that is admired for its beauty as well as its use. The straightness of the stick is not as important as the alignment of the top and bottom. A crook in the middle that returns to beneath the vertical of the top part is fine, and many people prefer the look of having a twist to the stick. The length depends on how it will be used. Usually
walking stick a length from the floor to the wrist of the walking hand will be for casual walking and support. If it will be used as a hiking stick, where you will be going up and down hills, then it should be about shoulder high. Of course a longer stick can always be used as a casual walking stick but will be a little heavier than if it were shorter.The diameter, or girth, of the stick should reflect your weight and its use. The heavier a person is, then the larger the diameter of the stick should be to support them. Also if it will be used in hiking there are 2 other things to consider. The heavier the stick, the more tiring it may become on extended hikes. However it should be thick enough to withstand jewellery the abuse of heavy hiking. The knots formed by branches growing from the main stick provide a lot of character to the walking stick. However knots can have a weakening affect on the stick and you must also remember it is more difficult to sand and finish them. Unless there is a great number of large and weakened knots, they are not usually a problem with mesquite since it is so strong and hard. They require extra work, but most people appreciate the look.Some sticks have branches growing from the main stick and they can be expanding file used as natural handles. Sometimes there are branches farther down the stick, which can be used as a second foot at the end. These are harder to find but it you want a handle and/or a double foot, then these should be just what you need.
