Shaping the Handle

Have a look at the walking sticks  handle which is starting to develop, how does it look is it symmetrical, is it likely to fit into the hand. You have to be satisfied for this is the final opportunity you have to make final adjustments before removing the waste wood still remaining on the walking sticks handle. Althought the bottom line fo the handle has already been determined, the top line can still be be extended if you think it will produce a more comfortable walking sticks. Whilst it is unusually for the handle to be cut parrallel to the walking sticks shank. it quite acceptable for the top line to be beyond the bottom, thus producing an angled cut to the end. Once you have made your decision use a panel saw to remove the remainging waste. You should now hold the walking sticks upright as if you going to use it.

What remains is to shape the handle into something that feels good and looks good. You should be trying to produce a handle which in cros section should be in the shaoe of a inverted egg, and in plan tapers slightly from the end to the top of the walking sticks shank. For your first attempt on the walking sticks its better to taper ina form of a wedge. With more experience you ca  develop more interesting elongated bell shape. It isn''t that much more difficult to make but it produces a lot better looking walking sticks.

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