Jim in Oakville
Member
Hi,
Well I am not going to try and convince you I knew what I was doing, but I decided to try my hand at making a cane (first one ever) with shaping a wood handle with rasps and files.
I made this cane to be used in my right hand, I have a hip problem right now (hip replacement operation pending). I am not sure if I like the added detail I carved or if it’s a tacky detail, but it’s done now.
I decided I needed to make myself a cane. I wanted to make something that was unique and mine. I had a vision of a curly maple cane with a shaped handle that fit my hand and felt good in my grip. I also wanted to use a finish I have used before with curly maple, an antique finish that I first read in a Jeff Jewitt article.
The finish is fairly simple, two aniline dyes (one dark brown, one light brown), Wacto Danish oil and amber shellac. The dyes are applied in a sequence that begins with the dark brown first. It will soak into the end grain of the open curl.
I then sanded off all the dark finish I could, leaving the dark dye still in the end grain of the figured maple. Then I applied the lighter brown aniline dye and set it to dry. Two wipe on coats of Watco followed by three coats of shellac make up the final top coat application.
The result is a cane I can use and know no one else has one like mine. I am not going to say much about my shaping or carving skills except I know that this was fun and I would try it again.
Well I am not going to try and convince you I knew what I was doing, but I decided to try my hand at making a cane (first one ever) with shaping a wood handle with rasps and files.
I made this cane to be used in my right hand, I have a hip problem right now (hip replacement operation pending). I am not sure if I like the added detail I carved or if it’s a tacky detail, but it’s done now.
I decided I needed to make myself a cane. I wanted to make something that was unique and mine. I had a vision of a curly maple cane with a shaped handle that fit my hand and felt good in my grip. I also wanted to use a finish I have used before with curly maple, an antique finish that I first read in a Jeff Jewitt article.
The finish is fairly simple, two aniline dyes (one dark brown, one light brown), Wacto Danish oil and amber shellac. The dyes are applied in a sequence that begins with the dark brown first. It will soak into the end grain of the open curl.
I then sanded off all the dark finish I could, leaving the dark dye still in the end grain of the figured maple. Then I applied the lighter brown aniline dye and set it to dry. Two wipe on coats of Watco followed by three coats of shellac make up the final top coat application.
The result is a cane I can use and know no one else has one like mine. I am not going to say much about my shaping or carving skills except I know that this was fun and I would try it again.
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