Make a handsome wooden walking stick for almost nothing

Step 8 Fitting the ferrule

Determine the length of the stick required and cut to length. Allow about 15 degree angle of the elbow. Wearing shoes, stand upright and hold the shank of the stick below the handle until you get that angle and it feels comfortable. measure the distance between the top of the hand and the top of the handle and cut the length by that amount. Alternatively if you have an existing stick or a cheap adjustable one copy the length of that. If you are making a crook you need a much longer stick. hold the stick next to you and slide your hand up it until your hand is level with your heart. The handle should start just above your thumb. measure the distance between the top of your thumb and the bottom of the handle. Then cut the stick to length by that amount.

pic 28 A brass ferrule and a rubber ferrule. Use either or both. i got the rubber one from a hardware stall in my local market for 50p, the mobility shop sells grey ones. Both items are available from the stickman.co.uk. The stickman sells different colours of metal ones, i used antique brass they are about a pound. I prefer to finish off my stick with a brass ferrule even if it's being covered with a rubber one

pic 29 Measure the depth of the metal ferrule and score the bark of the shank with a sharp knife at this depth. carefully cut the bark off all the way round and use a file to round off the sides, do this until it fits snug into the ferrule. I prefer a tight fit.

pic 30 Paint a little epoxy onto the end of the shank and press it into the ferrule. Tapping the tip slightly if its a tight fit. When it's dry drill a tiny hole thru the brass and secure it with a short brass pin. Leave it as it is or put the rubber over the top. This is actually a different stick as I didnt have the 19mm ferrule for this instructable