Few things are as fun and rewarding as making a walking stick or a scepter! As soon as you have found the stick corresponding to your desires, you can learn to prepare it and cut it according to the use you want to make of it. A hiking stick? An accessory for a disguise? A tool to perform a pagan ritual? Everything is possible !
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Carve a hiking stick
Step 1. Collect a piece of dead wood of the correct size
To make a good walking stick, the wood must be strong enough, but still light enough to be transported without difficulty. Ideally, the pole should reach your chin, but it is up to you to prefer a longer or shorter one. It should be fairly straight and its diameter relatively equal over the entire length. The stick should be at least 3 to 5 cm thick.
Green wood is too soft to make a good walking stick: stick with dead wood. If you come across a branch that you really like, but is still too green, cut it and rough it up, then let it dry outside for a few weeks before carving it
Step 2. Look for the wood of the white walnut
Any wood is usable, as long as you like it, but many people appreciate the lightness and strength of walnut or ash, which are also very common. Keep your eyes peeled for beautiful branches of the right size that are strong enough to support your weight. Find out what types of wood in your area are used for making hiking poles. Here are a few examples:
- circinated maple
- the Virginia ostry tree (in Canada)
- the tamarix
- aspen
Step 3. Remove the bark and branch starts
Use a sharp pocket knife to peel the branch and carefully sand any knots, branch starts and other unevenness. Round the ends of the stick by removing chip by chip for a clean, elegant and durable finish.
After cleaning your branch in this way, leave it untouched for a few days so that it dries completely. If an orange film forms on the surface of the wood, remove it: it is the water that escapes. Let your branch dry until its whitish color no longer varies
Step 4. Stain the wood
To give your stick a nice finish, you can stain it with a good wood wax, varnish or oil. Several coats are usually necessary: you spread a thin and even layer of product on the surface of the wood, wipe it off, then start again. Apply a minimum of 3 coats, or more if you want a darker shade. Follow the instructions on the box of the product you have chosen.
Some people decide to burn their stick before waxing it. Choose patterns to engrave on your stick that will give it personality and pyrograph them
Step 5. Customize your walking stick
Some people wrap a grip around the area of the stick they are holding and jam hooks or other equipment there. You can also attach other items to it using carabiners, such as water bottles, knives, and other survival utensils. To make the grip more comfortable, you can also wrap a leather strap around the "handle" of your stick.
On the lower part of your stick, engrave measurements in cm: you will be able to measure the depth of the water if you have to cross a torrent
Method 2 of 3: Sculpt a scepter
Step 1. Collect firewood after a storm
Wiccans and other pagans believe that wood fallen to the ground during a storm is loaded with supernatural powers. Whether this is true or not, this is a good time to collect wood in any case. After a particularly windy storm, go for a walk in the forest to find the pieces of wood that attract you the most.
Step 2. Choose a stick for its symbolism
In the magical realm, scepters traditionally symbolize male energy and are usually related to the wind and the Sun. They are often made of walnut or oak wood, which represent strength and longevity, but you can choose any wood for your scepter that suits you. You will be the only one handling this object, so take the time to choose the right branch, the one that, for one reason or another, will be important to you.
When you think you have found a potential scepter, sit down and hold it in your hands. Try to feel his energy. When you find the right one, you will know it. Ideally, your scepter should be between 1m and 1.50m
Step 3. Sand and clean the branch
With a knife and sandpaper, remove the bark and sand the surface of the wood. Sculpt the wood by removing long strips that are as even as possible with a very sharp knife, so that the scepter is as neat and smooth as possible. Be careful with the knife! Let your scepter dry for a few days and remove any orange film that appears on its surface.
Step 4. Bless or charge your scepter with power
Depending on your practice of magic, perhaps you have a particular ceremony devoted to magic objects, whether it is to charge them or to prepare them to receive magic. Light candles, cleanse the place, draw a circle, prepare your ritual according to its rules.
In your meditations, imagine all the natural elements, earth, sun and water necessary for the growth of the tree of which you are holding a branch in your hands. Thank the tree and meditate on this gift it has given you
Step 5. Consider carving important symbols into the wood
Pyrography involves heating a metal object, usually a soldering iron, and engraving patterns using this tool directly into the wood. In the case of a magic scepter, you can infuse it with symbolic powers through these patterns.
Better to avoid artificial chemicals on your scepter. Some people say that it may reduce its potency by inhibiting the natural properties of wood. Do not take risks and do not treat the wood
Step 6. Decorate the upper end of your scepter with a stone or mineral that is important to you
It will only contain more power. To do this, sculpt a case in your scepter and adapt it to the shape of your gem so that it matches this case.
Do not glue or permanently attach the gem to the scepter. Instead, tie it with leather straps, so you can detach it from the scepter if necessary
Method 3 of 3: Sculpt a magic wand for a disguise
Step 1. Buy sticks of the correct size and thickness
If you're thinking of making a cool wand for a life-size role-playing game or cosplay, the already peeled, cleaned, and crisp sticks that can be found in DIY stores in all sizes and thicknesses are a great help. perfect choice! But you can also use other objects:
- an old broomstick
- a broken hockey stick
- an ax handle
- a shovel handle
- a curtain rod
- a plastic pipe
Step 2. Cover your stick with insulating tape
Red and black colors work best for a cool, metallic look. It won't look like a stick, which is exactly the effect it is intended for. For a cool little effect, cover the stick with a black base, then wrap red tape along the stick to feature an evil snake or blood stream.
Step 3. Find a "crystal ball" that you will place at the top of your wand
Without it, something would be missing! You can use a bouncing ball or some other kind of light balls. Some, brightly colored, are perfect for this kind of utensils.
- If you want to change the color, use spray paint and paint it in an open or well ventilated area, under adult supervision if you are a minor.
- You can also hang scraps of fabric or other things on the top of your stick to personalize it. Don't be afraid to be too original!
Step 4. Make a handle with insulating tape or leather
This is useful, if you want to keep a good grip on your wand when you are on the battlefield! If you have an old soccer ball, you can cut it along the seams and use one of the polygons to create a leatherette grip. For a slightly rustic finish, sew it with twine.