The Stick Man |
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When you buy a stick you have several options for the type of ferrule you want on the tip. The ferrule helps to prevent the stick from wearing down or splitting in use and also helps to stop the stick slipping. The Brass ferrule is most commonly fitted - a simple cap made of brass, shaped like a thimble. Cheap but not hard wearing - needs replacing frequently if the stick is used a lot.
Steel-tipped ferrules are similar to the brass ones, but have a hard-wearing steel plate welded on the base (these are not always available).
Alpine Spikes are made of steel and dig in to rock and ice. They have specially made (optional) rubber ferrules that fit over the spikes.
Rubber ferrules are best for use on pavements or indoors. The brass and steel tipped ferrules can be covered with a removable rubber one for your convenience.
We can also fit a magnetic ferrule to a stick that is taken shooting. You can pick up several empty shotgun cartridges at a time - so avoiding having to bend over or put your hand in nettles or other unwelcome places! |
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How Soon can I get my stick?There is currently a 4 month (minimum) waiting list for carved sticks with bird/animal heads. BUT! If you want to order a stick as a present and you've left it too late, why not ask for a STICK VOUCHER instead? You can ask for one when you order by using the "additional information" box on the order form (or e mail me). That way your friend gets TWO presents. The Stick voucher on the special occasion and the anticipation of receiving the actual stick a few weeks later. This is especially important as Christmas approaches. Most sticks will need at least a few weeks notice because we take orders all year round and start making Christmas orders in November. |
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What's this?Almost unique to The Stick Man, these screw joints can be fitted so that your stick can be separated into two halves for putting in your suitcase. They can also be fitted so that the head is detachable. You can then buy alternative heads to screw on - useful if you want your stick to reflect what you are hunting or if you change your dog! Having a screw joint fitted adds only £15.50 to the price. Simply tick the check box. Does a screw-joint weaken a stick? In simple terms, yes! By cutting the stick and fitting a joint it obviously causes it to behave differently. Downward pressure - as in normal use for walking - appears to make little difference. Sideways pressure, such as hitting something, swiping down nettles, or leaning on the stick at an angle puts 'unnatural' strains on the joint which can result in the stick around the joint splitting. Putting the stick in the car and piling luggage on it is also very bad - but then you should have unscrewed the parts to make the stick easier to put in the car anyway! We strengthen the joints by winding strong thread around the stick either side of the joint and get almost no breakages (that we hear of). Basically you have to weigh up the options - do you want a stick that is long and difficult to take on a journey - or would the joint make the stick far more 'user friendly' and so outweigh the slight weakness? See additional carved heads for jointed sticks Other options
include a magnetic steel ferrule - useful if you
shoot and would like to pick up spent cartridges without
having to bend down! The ferrule has a powerful magnet
hidden inside and you can pick up to five or six shotgun
cartridges at a time - great trick when out with the
boys! |
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PhotographsWe have access to photographs of almost every dog breed in the world so all you have to do is to state the breed. However, if your animal has special markings or colour, you can send us photographs or give a link to a web page where you've found an animal similar to your own and we will try to paint the head to match. You can send photos by post but we DO NOT accept images by email. To send images from your computer please send an email and ask for the use of my special upload tool. Photos are normally non-returnable because they may get marked or damaged in our dusty workshop! However, if you need us to return your photographs, please say so. I appreciate it may not be possible, but photographs should preferably include front, sides and rear of head please - all taken from the same level as the dog. Either get down on your knees or put the dog on a box or table to get good pictures. One picture looking down at the top of the head may be useful but if all the photo's are from above it makes it very difficult to work from them. If I have to rely on one or two angles I may not be able to do such a good job. I once received a photo showing two dogs playing in the next field and a circle had been drawn around one with "This one please" written alongside. I could cover both dogs with one thumb - that is asking a bit much! |
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LengthStick length is important for a walking stick (American "cane") if you need it as a walking aid because you are unsteady on your feet. How to measure correct stick length: Short stick (Regency type and any stick used around the height of your hip - not suitable for thumb sticks) - stand up as straight as you can and measure from the floor to the crease of the wrist. This allows the arm to be locked straight when your full weight is applied to the stick. It is best to get help when measuring - if you do it yourself there is a tendency to lower your shoulder as you look down and your stick may then end up too short! Long stick (hiking stick, thumb stick etc) the measurement should be from the floor to the base of the breastbone.
Some sticks can be used long or short - crooks and market sticks, for example. Some sticks only work short eg the Regency, others only work long - Thumbsticks do not work well in short lengths because the angle of the fork does not fit the hand that way. If you are buying the stick as a present and don't know the length, simply give the person's approximate height - but make sure you indicate this is the height of the person and not the stick! You can put something like "person 5ft 2 ins tall" If the stick is not specifically for a walking aid then the length is less important and the following lengths will usually do: Standard length for any gent's walking stick ("cane") is 36" Standard length for any lady's walking stick ("cane") is 33" Standard length for a long stick such as a Thumbstick, Crook, Hiking Stick, or carved head is 48" to where it is gripped. If you do not specify a length then I will send 'standard' sizes. We generally cut our own sticks at length of around 56" so anything below that is fine - please enquire by email if you need anything longer. We do cut a few longer ones but to a maximum of around 60" and we only cut a few of these each year. If you are of particularly heavy build or are disabled in a way that may affect the way you hold or use a stick, or if you intend to use the stick for a purpose other than as a walking aid then PLEASE TELL US! It may affect the materials we choose or the way we build the stick. You can email us or simply put a note in the box for telling us the length you require - for example you might put 48" HEAVY or similar. If you don't tell us we can't read minds! The Shopping Cart order form includes a section where you can type additional notes to clarify what you want. Please don't use this to ask a question. It's better to use email and get all questions answered before you place an order! |
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Description: The crystals are a natural water-based wood dye made from walnut husks that have been through a boiling process. Preparation: Keep a record of the amounts you use so you can duplicate the colour in later batches. The crystals will dissolve slowly in cold water if left for several hours but the process can be speeded up by using warm or hot (not boiling) water. I make up a small amount of very dark stain (in a clean jam jar or similar) by putting a couple of teaspoons of crystals in and adding warm water to just cover them. Stir the mixture until all the crystals have dissolved - if you find it too stiff to mix then add more water. You end up with a very dark, almost black liquid. If applied to wood this concentrated mixture will "ebonise" even pale wood and two coats should make the wood appear black. Depending on how much staining you want to do you can leave this as your base mixture and simply add small amounts of it to clean, cold water in another container to get the desired depth of colour. You can also make up several batches of different strength and keep them in separate containers - I have three jars, one with the original "black" concentration, one diluted to a dark brown and a third diluted to a pale brown. These mixtures have been in the jars for several years without any deterioration! Application: Use a brush, sponge or spray to apply thin coats of the COLD mixture to the wood. Allow to dry for at least 20 minutes before lightly sanding and applying another coat if required. Leave for at least four hours before using shellac, oil or varnish to seal the stain in. Timings may be speeded up by drying the wood with warm air from a hairdryer or heat gun - but don't scorch it! CAUTION: 1) Keep out of the
reach of children!
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