Learn to carve a walking stick

[oldmangunner]

I have quite a few sticks I have collected that I think would make great walking sticks. I have intended to learn to carve them for years but never got around for it. What tools do you need? What is the best way to learn to carve a walking stick?

[Michael]

How complicated do you want to get? The answer sort of depends on that.

Most of my walking sticks have been pretty simple. Cut them to length with a hand saw (usually my Swiss Army knife saw). Use whatever blade I have on hand to take off the bark. (Flat grinds are good for that part.) Then I usually whittle a bit with a Mora, and bang. Done.

I don't do much more than round off the top, put a point on the bottom, and carve in a couple of designs here and there. Sometimes I'll sand them down a bit.

If you want something more intricate/fine, you'll probably want a couple of wood working tools. I've looked around a bit, and they seem to be fairly inexpensive.