Fancy Wood Cane #038: Manzanita Burl - Potato Handle

I’m always on the move to incorporate new designs in my work. I have no inhibitions on traditional designs and techniques, so if it looks feasible, I’ll try it. This piece is a take off on the traditional door knob/fob style walking stick that aristocrats used in earlier days. The traditional knob handle seems to me to be too small to give much comfort to hold on to and especially to lean on with one’s full weight, so I’ve designed a handle that the palm can fully rest on while supporting your full weight. The handle is a very organic shape, contouring for your fingers to surround and grab it in several angles. Although it is heavy due to the solid Padouk shaft, it is balanced so that you can use the tips of your curled fingers to hold on to it or your whole hand. My goal is style with comfort and function. A smaller version is in mind, as this one measures 4” Long x 2” Wide x 2.5” Tall, made for a large hand.

It is made from solid Manzanita Burl and it looks like a mis-shapened potato. Thus, my Potato series, handle #1. The collar is made of Gaboon Ebony and the shaft is Padouk.

For more information, please visit: http://www.bigstickcanes.com or http://www.gallerymh.com .

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe