My new ram's horn shepherd's crook walking stick

[Panache]

A handsome stick!

Cheers

Jamie

[Tobus]

Those are some lovely sticks, Tobus! But after seeing these, I'm even more thrilled by my recent purchase... I got mine for 85 quid (plus shipping).

Wow - you did good!

[Harold Cannon]

Are there any makers here in the states? I do try to buy American made when I can.

[SlackerDrummer]

Are there any makers here in the states? I do try to buy American made when I can.

Site hasn't been updated in about 5 years, but you could contact him. His are the best sticks I've seen from an American.

www.theshepherdscrook.net

[Mither Tap]

Thats a Lovely Stick...

But I would recommend either Teak or Danish Oil rather than boiled Linseed oil. Linseed oil smells terrible and doesnt give as nice a finish in my opinion.

Chris S

[unixken]

Well to clear up a bit o confusion, the stick, over all, is finished, with what looks like a polyurethane varnish... so it's not exposed wood. The bottom end has a metal tip/cap to limit wear from contact with the ground, but under the tip, the state of the wood is unknown. I'll likely email the seller to ask if they know, or remove the cap to take a look for myself.

Regardless, if any weathering occurs, it will happen at that end of the stick, through contact with the ground, soft/damp soil, even abrasion along the bottom foot or so of the stick with weeds/grass or whatever foliage I happen to be walking through. Other than the very end of the stick which again I will need to confirm, I suspect the polyurethane overall will prove somewhat long-lasting and stable. I'll just have to see what's what, at the tip.

[Tobus]

Thats a Lovely Stick...

But I would recommend either Teak or Danish Oil rather than boiled Linseed oil. Linseed oil smells terrible and doesnt give as nice a finish in my opinion.

Chris S

If he has polyurethane on it right now, none of the more traditional finishes will get through it anyway. But since you brought these up, I'll offer another 2 cents.

Teak oil is good, although I prefer tung oil (or a custom mixture of tung oil, boiled linseed oil, and Japan dryer, for easier application and quicker cure than pure tung oil). But I usually stay away from Danish oil, mainly because it's a polymerized oil that will end up building a coat like polyurethane, and really shouldn't be considered in the same category as a true "oil finish". If one is looking for absolute weather protection, though, I suppose it's a good enough product.

It's funny that some people hate the smell of BLO and some people love it. I happen to love it. Maybe because it reminds me of hours spent lovingly oiling gunstocks. To me, it smells like tradition and history.

[Mither Tap]

"history and Tradition".... To me it smells like a fish thats been left out in the sun too long. haha

You are right on both accounts, if there is a polyurethane finish on the stick then its best to leave it. And Danish oil does "build up". But I imagine that this is great for weather protection. I use it on some knife handles if I know they are going to be exposed to the weather a good bit.

Chris S

[creagdhubh]

Well done laddie, that is very nice. If I may, can I advise you to coat the shaft if its not varnished, particularly the bottom 18 inches even if it is varnished, with boiled linseed oil once a year. The bottom few inches will tend to split over time anyway, particularly if you use the stick a lot, but the linseed oil will keep major surgery away for many extra years!

Good advice!

[creagdhubh]

Great find mate and a good price! Iain Hamilton is my chosen stickmaker, and I have several crooks from Iain. However, Tony Espley's work looks superb and after perusing his website, wow!!! I am most impressed with his work and may be contacting him very soon - thanks Tobus!

www.scottishstickcraft.co.uk

Cheers,