Using Knots in our creations

Mother Nature provides us with wood with knots in it. That is just the nature of the beast. Sometimes, though, the knots provide inspiration to create something unusual.

I have included two walking sticks / canes which were the direct result of seeing a knot and deciding what had to be done with it.

Part A of the project was a young sappling that had been torn out of the ground by a youngster who was using it to beat up on a fellow playmate in mock battle. After confiscating the “weapon”, I looked at it and thought that it might make for an interesting walking stick, to add to my collection. I trimmed off the roots from the rootball, sanded, and varnished it. You will note that from one angle, it bears a striking resemblance to a bird’s head with a knot where the eye should be. From another angle, it somewhat resembles an old man’s ear where the knot fell out leaving a cavity. A good sturdy walking stick nevertheless.

Part B of the project was another young sappling found in the same bush. The knot inspired me immediately ( but my wife was not impressed). This knotty ( naughty) walking stick has a space for the user’s thumb beside the knot, and the knot itself having fallen out, makes an excellent place for the forefinger to rest ( in or about ).

There you go. Using what Mother Nature gives us. LOL

-- jroot