Cutting Walking Sticks, Questions

[Pleater]

Timber for ships and roofs used to be grown to the right shape and size in English woodland - it was very valuable.

My father's father was a barber, and one of the sidelines for most barbers was making walking sticks. They had a steamer out the back of the shop and would soften the materials so as to be able to shape the tops and straighten out unwanted bends.

One rather strange material used was cabbage stalks - presumably from plants used for seed, or which had 'bolted'. I have a vague recollection that they were imported from the Channel Islands.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Bugbear]

Timber for ships and roofs used to be grown to the right shape and size in English woodland - it was very valuable.

My father's father was a barber, and one of the sidelines for most barbers was making walking sticks. They had a steamer out the back of the shop and would soften the materials so as to be able to shape the tops and straighten out unwanted bends.

One rather strange material used was cabbage stalks - presumably from plants used for seed, or which had 'bolted'. I have a vague recollection that they were imported from the Channel Islands.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

What were they using the cabbages for, Pleater?

[Old Hippie]

One rather strange material used was cabbage stalks - presumably from plants used for seed, or which had 'bolted'. I have a vague recollection that they were imported from the Channel Islands.

When I harvested a test plot of amaranth last fall, I cut a couple of the heavier stalks and put them in the woodshed to dry. Depending on what they turn out to be, I may make a stick out of one and see what happens. They were a beautiful red colour when I cut them, but that's gone to brown.

:ootd: