What kind of tools do I need for carving a walking stick?
This is a difficult question to answer, as there are many types of canes and many carving styles. I think as you begin to make canes, you will find the style that you like. At the same time, you will begin to collect the tools to make creating a walking stick in your own style. For example, some canes are made from the trunk of small trees. Will you leave some or all of the bark on? If not, then a spokeshave or a drawknife will be most useful. Spokeshaves come with curved or straight blades. Get one with a curved blade first, but the straight one will be handy eventually. Note that these are tools you can often buy inexpensively as antiques, often as good as new. I have very pretty drawknife that I love to use. It is light and small and maneuverable, plus it has got a wonderful patina to it. It came from an antique shop. Carved sticks will require carving tools, and carving tools come in two main flavors. Gouges, and knife-like tools. I’d start with basically a whittling knife. Find on
