| Project by mmh | posted 220 days ago | 466 views | 0 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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This is a freeform cane handle made of Manzanita Burl. I tried to keep as much of the natural shape of the burl to enhance the form of the handle, yet shaped it to be comfortable and functional. The nature of the Manzanita Burl is unpredictable and full of voids and cracks so I have tried to work with them by filling them for stability and but not too altered to keep the natural beauty of the wood. I may try using some gemstone material, but sometimes that’s too distracting from the natural grain of the wood.
In this piece you can see how the center grain of the wood veins out towards the edges and the change of colors closer to the bark area lightens and dimples. The collar is made of Brazilian Ebony to accent the Black Walnut shaft. The shaft is quite wide at the top and tapers to 1” round at the bottom.
For more of my work please visit: http://www.bigstickcanes.com ; http://www.gallerymh.com.
Comments and inquiries welcomed.
-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe
9 comments so far
mtnwild
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2013 posts in 419 days
posted 220 days ago
I really like the look of this one. Very cool.
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
Spoontaneous
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166 posts in 222 days
posted 220 days ago
Yeah, really nice! It looks somewhat serpent like to me and it looks cool where you doweled it through an eye! That’s a nice touch and I like the gnarly ‘feel’ to it. Loads of character!
drgoodwood
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381 posts in 1019 days
posted 220 days ago
Personal style with class.
You have a gifted eye for beauty.
Lignum ipsa loquitur!
(The wood speaks for itself.)
-- Randy, Rustic Artisan, a family tradition. (No PM's - auto-deleted.) - "I am a seeker, not a follower."
scott shangraw
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408 posts in 961 days
posted 220 days ago
Very nice!!Love the wood choices and shape of the handle.
-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com
DAN
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6435 posts in 875 days
posted 220 days ago
I think this is my favorite one. Great shape.
you might try black or brown dyed epoxy to inlay any voids. it gets real hard and finishes well.
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Karson
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25793 posts in 1292 days
posted 220 days ago
That is some great looking wood and a fantastic looking cane.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
trifern
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7894 posts in 659 days
posted 220 days ago
Gorgeous wood! The cane looks as comfortable to use as it is beautiful.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
lew
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4474 posts in 647 days
posted 218 days ago
This is beautiful!
I notice the handle shape is a departure from your usual style. Is this at the customers request?
Lew
mmh
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1377 posts in 614 days
posted 217 days ago
Lew: I didn’t have a customer to cater to on this design. I get to “play” and design to my liking in between commissions.
This is a freeform that I was allowing the grain and form of the wood dictate the shape of the handle. Manzanita has such an unusual and unpredictable grain and formation that it’s hard to get a solid piece of wood without voids and cracks with the quality of grain I like. I love the spray of colors and try to keep it as the focal point of the handle and work around the shape to get an ergonomic and functional piece. Sometimes it’s a real challenge as there may not be enough wood where I need it and I have to alter my design. These pieces usually take a longer time to create, as sometimes they refuse to work and they are put on the shelf while I work on something that cooperates. I guess you could call it obstinate wood.
-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe