Cutting Sticks (Shanks)

[jeemes 5,129]

With the season being mild and still like autumn would it be safe to cut sticks now to start drying? Hoping to hear from an experienced stick maker.

Ive cut plenty of blackthorn in october before that has split across the grain. I think this because ive cut too early,so should it be alright now?

[moxy 617]

Or you have dried it out too fast.

Yes. Get them cut. If you think they are going to dry to fast seal or wax the cut ends.

[neil cooney 10,416]

They say the best time to cut a stick is when you see it.

My fathers made plenty of sticks and when cutting them for him I always cut them 6 or so inches longer either end to allow for shrinkage.

[low plains drifter 11,146]

You might aswell get some cut, the way the climate is these days the buds will be appearing before much longer

[Tiercel 6,986]

Went for a walk this morning, to get some withies to make a couple of Christmas wreaths the buds were opening on hazel. We really need a cold snap to stop them.

 

TC

[jeemes 5,129]

Thanks for replies lads. Moxy thats a good tip thanks. Its not the straight shanks but when im trying to get a nice head from a base or main stem. Ive also been told to dry the stick standing up with the thickest end pointing downward,so i will try the wax with it aswell.

[moxy 617]

Best of luck

[bobcullen79 1,495]

Went for a walk this morning, to get some withies to make a couple of Christmas wreaths the buds were opening on hazel. We really need a cold snap to stop them.

 

TC

Seen that a few weeks back. We even got Gorse in flower down here.

[neil cooney 10,416]

Bob, although all gorse looks the same as far as I know there's a variety that flowers for every month of the year.

Have you ever eaten the flowers as they're budding, taste a bit like an almond.

[bobcullen79 1,495]

Bob, although all gorse looks the same as far as I know there's a variety that flowers for every month of the year.

Have you ever eaten the flowers as they're budding, taste a bit like an almond.

No I haven`t I`ll give it a go now though. I didnt know there was a year round flowering variety either. I`ll have a closer look next time Im over that way and try the flowers.

[jok 3,446]

I remember my old man saying that this is the time of year to cut the ash from banksides. He used to make the nobbler type which was that big bit of rootstock found on ash. He also had already cut the hazel and bundled it for drying. Living on the farm, we also collected the ramshorns which really make the most delightful handles. His favourites were the rising trout and the red squirrel. I'm all for carving from natural stock.

[Nobbyc 1]

Here on the Gower there's always Gorse in flower throughout the year somewhere.