How To Make A Custom Fancy Walking Cane

Walking canes have been used since early man started to walk about and needed a tool to help him when injured or over trekking over uneven terrain. The cane is not only needed for the aide of assisting one to keep stable, but also has a history of being a fashion statement. A walking stick or cane has been used to assist the aristocratic elite from their high wheeled carriages, as the wheels where some 5 feet tall and were quite shakey when decending or ascending from them, especially when dressed in finery. Gentlemen and ladies would adorn a cane made from exotic woods, metals and gems to show their wealth and status. The technology of the cane has evolved little in the years of mankind, but the materials are varied and the quality of a cane can be judged by not only the fancy woods or ornamentation, but also the quality of craftsmanship.

My goal here is to show you how to create a sturdy, functional and attractive cane that the user can wear with confidence and pride. If all efforts are successful, the ugly, flimsy common store bought cane will be abolished with a more sturdy, attractive and comfortable cane for those who need one, and just maybe a new interest as a fashion trend will return.

The use of hand and power tools will be shown and in the event you do not have one, you can use the other. The techniques are basic and the better results are in the level of effort you choose to endure. You can make a simple, crudely finished cane in a day or take your time in shaping and sanding and have an elegant art object within a week.

For more of my work please visit: http://lumberjocks.com/mmh/projects

Step 1: Selecting the Wood. A Note on Safety.

Your choice of materials can vary as long as they are strong and durable and easy enough to work with. The harder the wood, the sturdier the cane, but it will also be harder to work with. I suggest a medium-hard wood such as Cherry, Black Walnut or Maple for the beginner. These hardwoods are common and the medium/fine grain is easy to work with. Oak has too coarse of a grain to my liking and may splinter more readily. Do not use soft woods such as Pine, Cedar or Birch as these will not be able to fully support the weight of a person, but for the sake of the project, they would be easy to carve and shape. Just make sure they are never used to support the full weight of a user in need of sturdy support.

When using harder, exotic woods such as Bloodwood, Ebony, Padouk, Purpleheart, etc., these will take more effort in shaping and finishing, but the results are extraordinary.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT (NOT optional):
Eye Protection
Ear Protection
Dust Mask and Vacuum Dust System
Gloves
A Note on Safety: If you don't want to lose it, then wear something to protect it. Your eyes, lungs, fingers, etc., are irreplacable. Flying particles and dust can damage your eyes and lungs. Wear the geeky equipment and be safe.

SUPPLIES & TOOLS NEEDED:
[Note: Electric and Hand tools are listed as optional for use upon availability.]
Wood for SHAFT: 34-36" Long (with grain) x 1.5 x 1.5"
Wood for HANDLE: 6" Long (with grain) x 2" Wide x 1.5" Thick
Wood for Collar (optional): 1.5" x 1.5" x 1" Thick
Dowels: 4 inches each - 5/8" & 1/4" hardwood
Drill Press
Forstner Bit: 5/8"
Wood Drill Bit: 1/4"
Saws: Table Saw & Band Saw or Hand Saws
Assorted Wood Files & Rasps (coarse & fine)
Electric Sanders (optional): Belt & Disc Sander, Orbital Sander
Assorted Sand Paper (36 - 320 grit)
Shaving Mule (optional)
Spoke Shaves (optional)
50" Wood Clamp
Wood Glue or Epoxy
Rubber Cane Tip
Oil/Polyeurethane Finish
Clean Rags & Paper Towels

Comments

[shadow12952]

nice tools, ever tried making a bokken?

[mmh]

No, I haven't made a bokken (yet), as I don't know anyone who would use it. They don't look difficult to make and the shape is simple. I can imagine it would be a good exercise to create one with hand tools. I may have to try making one with some of the figured cherry wood that I have.

[thepelton]

I do woodworking, and a friend of mine who is in the SCA made a wooden bokken. His first one was Purpleheart, which is very hard, but once it reached a certain point of stress, it cracked. I suggested to him that he use a springy wood, such as Ash, Yew, or Osage Orange, since such woods can bend and snap back to their original shape. Cherry I don't beleive would be a good wood to use for a bokken. It hasn't got the elasticity of Ash or Osage Orange. It would look good until you actually tried to use it in a practice combat.

[mmh]

Interesting tip. That makes sense that the bokken needs a flexible type of wood to withstand the impact. I didn't realize Osage Orange was flexible as Ash or Yew. I like Purpleheart for cane shafts but it's quite heavy. Some dense woods are still quite brittle as you mention, especially snakewood. Apparently there is good reason why baseball bats are made of Ash.

[thepelton]

Osage Orange aka Boisd'arc, or Maclura Pomifera was originally used by the Osage native american tribe for bows. Long straight pieces can be obtained for those who want to make such a bow, just like long straight pieces of Ash are available for those who want to make their own baseball bat (I would probably rip an Ash bat blank in half lengthwise). Incidentally, Yew was used for bows by native american tribes in Washington and Oregon state.

[mmh]

Interesting info. I thought that Bois d' arc was a generic term for red colored woods. I have found that Osage Orange is excellent for high stress needs. I have found some that has tints of reds in it from contact with certain soils. Very beautiful wood.

FYI: The bright yellow/orange color oxidizes to a two toned yellow/caramel color, still very beautiful, but more subtle.

[graydog111]

Fence posts made from Bois D'Arc will get so hard in 50 years, you cannot drive a fence staple into it. It does not rot.

There is an abundance of this wood listed on eBay Do an eBay search for each name:
"Osage Orange",
"Bois D'Arc",
and
"Hedge Apple".

It is very reasonably priced on eBay.

[graydog111]

thepelton:
I make canes from Bois D'Arc also, but from one piece of wood.

You can see one here: <Blogspot>
and here: <eBayGuide>

[eomonkeyboi24]

This reminded me of the same thing! LOL

[thatlabguy]

I really appreciate this tutorial. Now, all I have to do is try to draw and then shape the handle...I am not an artist at all so this is going to be my greatest challenge but, I look forward to it!

[demongod]

Does this work for a colonial costume?

[Bodygard1117]

I never thought of hooking a shop vac up to a palm sander before. Good idea. And a note on the safety, i can tell you from experience that little bits and pieces will fly towards your eyes, i took a metal sliver to the eye because i didn't bother to put on my safety glasses. I was ok but it cost me a visit to the emergency room and a lot of pain so wear all safety equipment even if you think it isn't necessary.

[ferggie93]

A couple of my friends and I are making a cane like this as a inside joke to our history teacher. If we wanted to put a signature on the cane before we put the finish on the cane do you have any ideas or recommendations on how we should do that? thanks

[mmh]

First sand the surface very smooth.  You could use either a Sharpie, permanent ink pen or a wood burning tool.  Practice on a scrap piece of wood first, as this is permanent.  Also, test the scrap wood with the finish to make sure the Sharpie does not bleed.

[chabias]

Very nice. I started hand carving a walking stick a few years ago, and it's been sitting, unfinished, in a corner of my shop ever since. It's coming out tomorrow. Thanks for giving me new momentum to finish it!

[plum0214]

I've tried in the past to make a cane all in one piece and failed, your handle joining technique is great. I can't believe how simple you make it look. Thanks for the tutorial.

[theRIAA]

what is that wood thing with the red seat in step 8?!

[mmh]

The Shaving Mule (shaving horse) is an old fashion method of holding the piece of wood while you shave it with a spoke shave. These tools were used to make chair parts, etc. before power tools were invented. It's a very relaxing way of working with wood. The only noise is that of your hand tools against the wood, and maybe your humming while you work. It's Very Zen.

[mmh]

Padouk. It is very hard and has a bit of an open grain, and is very strong.

[theRIAA]

sorry... not what type of wood... what is the big machine in step 8, 5th picture, made out of bolted together 2x4s with the big red vinyl seat.

[thewoodcarver]

shaving horse ,lets you sit close to your work good for control ......nice work mmh

[woodace]

This a wonderful detailed how too . I'm a very experienced woodworker but I have never made a cane. A total thumbs up for the tutorial and the many beautiful canes you share on Lumberjocks .com

[grizzledcamudgen]

I really liked the tutorial. It was very informative! I like to make knives and just started reading about making canes and or walking sticks. I have been collecting them for a while and thought I would prefer to make my own. The materials I use for making knives are exotic and sometimes unusual so what better to show them off then on a cane for all to see. I have made an attempt at some walking sticks in the past here are a few examples of them (I call them "yardsticks"). Thanks, grizzledcamudgen

[Yerboogieman]

Iron wood would be perfect for this.

[thewoodcarver]

Very nice work , I have been on a cane for 7 years or so at first I turned 2 23 inch walnut or other hard wood ( I need a 45inch cane )put together with a dowel and a brass or copper pipe and carve a handle or just use a branch that shape I want ...now with arthritis ruining my hands I try to carve cane/handles but find it hard as well as holding the turning tools so have gone to branches ....maybe the belt sanders...spoke shaves and other hand tools with some mods will work ...I also find 11/4 inch poplar works for the shaft but the same color cane is kind of boring but if you do a bamboo shape for the shaft it works again very nice work

[mmh]

Thank you for the comments. I would love to see some of your work.

[thewoodcarver]

here are a few I have done not canes but fun carvings....

[Nextraker]

Awesome Stuff

[Wheatridge]

I just finished the project. The plans and procedures were excellent. I think if I were making another one I would have shapped the handle on a lathe.

[mmh]

Nice cane! The reason I did not use a lathe for my Instructables is that most people may not own one and I do not like the uniform spindle look. The lathe makes the shaft look like a colonial style piece of furniture and I don't care for that style. My canes are made to show the hand crafted workmanship more than the industrial machine work.

Thanks for the feedback and happy cane making.

[Wheatridge]

You are absolutely correct on afterthought. The spoke shave produces many marks, groves, etc. that are non- exhistent in spindle turning that adds character to the tapered handle. I did the initial sanding on my lathe; and finishing with working down to 320 grit in sanding with the grain off of the lathe. The shaft has a much more distinctive look than if it were merely turned to to a smooth finish. We have had many fine coments on your cane. People want me to make one for them

[amakerguy]

Favorited! I have a walking stick biz. And my first cane attemp the handle can come off.

[mtownsend]

I saw this a day too late. I was recently in a running accident (they happen! I swear!) and I've been using a putter for a cane for a while. I finally stopped needing it today. Oh well, maybe that bridge next to that busy road will be icy again some day and I'll have a need again.

[The Porsche Fan]

"they happen! I swear" haha, ouch man

[thedog458]

is there any way to hollow out the cane and add blade to the handle so you can have a sword inside a cane?

[mmh]

If the shaft is large enough, you could hollow it out with a router or hand tools.

[Fasteners]

I LOVE WALKING STICKS!

[Arianna]

Very beauitful~ Your instructions are very easy to read, making it a project I would love to try~~

[mmh]

HEY! If you are having a problem voting, please let me know by posting here. I've had numerous replies that the system is not accepting participants in and they can not vote.

[ItsTheHobbs]

Like House! He's the coolest!