Cleaning,straightening and preparation... (Part 3)

A bundle of old seasoned sticks is usually a pretty sorry sight! The wood shrinks slightly during the seasoning process and bark is usually pretty rough and unattractive. Along with  the odd curve or bends in the shanks it is now time to 'tidy things up' before the real work commences.

 The bark is given a good scrub down with a nail brush and soapy water to remove any old lichen; moss and flaking bits. Any rot or decay doesn't necessarily mean the stick is ready for the fire - often small areas, especially around the handle can be removed and give a really 'rustic' look to a knob stick. Any major faults however mean that I reject it completely.
Really straight and true shanks ( which unfortunately are rare - apart from Hazel) or ones that I wish to remain as crooked or knobby are put to one side ready for the crafting process. All others with slight bends are taken out for Steaming and Straightening.
Now I know that some stickmakers steer clear of this process - whether it's because they find it difficult or because they prefer the all-natural look but in most cases I prefer to see a nice straight and true shank to my sticks especially if they are destined to be shepherds crooks or walking staffs/thumbsticks.
The process isn't really difficult at all - all the steaming does is to open the fibres in the wood by moist heat, allowing the stick to be gently bent to the remove unsightly curves or kinks. Once the wood cools the fibres close up again and 'hey-presto!' one straight shank!

Many methods are used (including direct heat with a hot air gun!!) but I use an old steam wallpaper stripper which I find ideal. The shanks are laid across the steam outlet, covered with old towels to retain the heat and moisture and the machine set in operation. A typical shank takes about twenty minutes for the steam to penetrate though some denser woods take much longer. After this time the (very hot!) wood can be easily straightened either by bending across the knee or in a woodworking vice. I prefer the knee method as I can continually keep checking progress as I work. Gloves are essential for this part of the operation!

The hot sticks are left somewhere flat to cool for an hour or so before they are ready for the next stage - that of the actual crafting.

After all this hot work I am usually ready for a cup of tea anyway, so the sticks have ample time to cool down. !!