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Before I had Surgery in early August. It seemed a good plan to get gardening jobs out of the way while I was still able bodied. One of the Chores was to prune the Bougainvillea before it got out of control.

While pruning, this particular Branch/Vine really stood out as it looked like a Walking Stick. Sol I put it aside to dry out for a few weeks. At the moment I am almost finished with a crutch and getting about fairly normally. So a walking Stick is not really necessary now, but it was a fun project and very satisfying to make something useful out of natural material.

All it took was to remove the horrible and nasty thorns that will cut a gardener to ribbons and then cut the shaft to length. I worked out the length by measuring it against the crutch I have been using. Then with a rasp and heaps of sanding and elbow grease I managed to fashion a Walking Stick. The Rubber Stopper I bought on line at a site that stocked medical and walking aids for disabled folk.

It is finished with 3 coats of Danish Oil.

The Black marks are where the Thorns were and the Orange blush was quite a surprise, I had never taken much notice of Bougainvillea wood before as the Branches/Vines are not very wide in Diameter and unless you were to come across a very old Bougainvillea and then perhaps there may be some thick wood on it.

Best wishes and Happy Wood Working.

Cliff.

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Comments

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Well Cliff, It looks like you have yourself a stout walking stick that will be a lot of fun to make use of. I'll bet that you are glad that you did not toss that piece. Nicely done.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Nice work Cliff, the thorns sure are vicious on this plant. Great looking stick.
 

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Hi John. Nice to hear from you, it must be starting to get cold in Canada? We are in Spring Here.

Thanks John, yes it just goes to show that all wood could have some potential.

Regards,

Cliff.
 

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G'day Bob….Thank you.

Yes it is a vicious plant, so unforgiving with those thorns. It would make a good deterrent for intruders if it surrounded a property.

Regards,

Cliff.
 

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That's a fine job Cliff. A natural walking stick has been on my list for awhile now. I don't need one (yet) but I thought it would be a cool project. Good to know you are getting about. Sure makes life a lot easier. Our Osage orange trees have son nasty thorns too. I wonder if it is similar to your Bougainvillea tree.
 

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Very cool natural walking stick …. maybe you should have left a couple thorns on it …. for people who wont get out of your way …. LOL GREAT JOB :<))
 

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That is a nice stick, Cliff. you must have a big bougainvillea!! We have them all over in Arizona but I have never seen a stalk that big!!

cheers, Jim
 

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nice walking stick,buddy
I hope,now you´ll make shop stool for your lathe
wish you full nose of dust and chips
Cheers,Marijan
 

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Well done.

Walking sticks are supposed to be natural looking! I like them that way; otherwise they are just another boring factory made one.
 

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Dave. Thank you. I'm pleased that you like the Walking Stick. I must have a look on the net and check out the Osage Orange.
The Thorns you mentioned sound interesting. They may be quite similar in that respect.

Regards,

Cliff.

GRBHUNTER. Tony, Thank you for liking the Walking Stick.

That is a great idea of yours about leaving a couple of thorns on it. It would certainly clear a pathway for me with a well aimed swipe across the Butt of someone in a daydream and blocking the way. Ha ha ha

Regards,

Cliff

G'day Jim. Thank you.

Its not real big, but maybe the pruning makes it more robust? The Trellis I made for it to grow on is about 9 foot high and around 18 foot to 20 foot long. There are many different varieties of it too.

Regards,

Cliff

bambi. Glad you like it…..good idea. I do need to make another shop stool. Maybe not for the Lathe as I stand up at the Lathe, but a Stool for the Bench is a great idea.
I will take your advice and make sure my nose is full of dust and chips.

Regards,

Cliff.

Ralph, I agree. Natural sticks have a certain appeal to them. It was fun making it.

I am going out for lunch today….Ill test it out….maybe I should also wear a Top Hat …Ha ha..

Regards,

Cliff.
 

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Hi Cliff. Not really cold yet. We're at a mid-afternoon temperature of 11°C, which isn't too bad for our elevation of just under 600m. Hope your Spring weather warms up nicely for you. Giday.
 

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I like it, I made a few walking sticks a while back, they are fun to do! Finding good branches can be tough, as I prefer to use branches that have fallen naturally. It is great to make things that are useful, that is the aspect of woodworking that I enjoy the most.
 

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Pruning a shrubby ornamental tree was how I got started making canes and walking sticks. (Russian Olive - it has thorns too). Now I'm addicted and am always looking for branches of the correct size and shape, and trying out different plants that don't usually supply lumber (like a rose bush - LOTS of thorns) My process is the same - rasp and sand paper - I find it very soothing to watch the finished product slowly emerge from the rough branch, and I also enjoy finding the surprising colors and textures that await under the bark.

You should use it for awhile even if you don't really need it - just to show it off, people will be amazed when you tell them you made it and where you got the wood. Then keep it for that time in the future when you might need it again - you can always give away or sell the next one you make.

Thanks for posting.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Cliff, glad to see you got rid of those nasty thorns although you could have left them on and use it for defence as well, LOL.
 

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John….G'day to you also….Nice warm Spring days here.

Cliff.

IantheTinker. Thank you, I agree with you regarding branches that have fallen naturally, or branches that have been pruned. It makes wood work a most interesting Hobby.

Regards,

Cliff.

Leafherder….You have inspired me…I will definitely be making more walking sticks. I went out for lunch today and used the walking stick. My lunch friends were quite impressed and amazed that it been growing in the back yard.
Thank you for the encouragement.
Regards,

Cliff.

Grumpy…I think you are right. Those thorns would be a good defense.

Regards,

Cliff.
 

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Nice job! I love bougainvillea. I wish it would grow outside where I live. For me it is a seasonal houseplant.
 

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Great looking stick and finding it in your own yard makes it even better!
 

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MrFid…..Thank you….It would be a much colder climate where you are. My climate is Sub Tropical and although we get some cold days and nights….it is still really quite mild. Therefore the Bogainvillea is suited to grow outdoors. In the more hot areas up north from where I am they can grow huge and out of control . they make a great privacy screen.

Regards,

Cliff.

rodneywt 1180b. Thank you for liking the walking stick….it is very satisfying to make something that grew in the yard.

I had a look at the beautiful work you did in creating those lovely crutches. Very well made. Perfect for the Lady with M S.

Regards,

Cliff.
 
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