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DIY
shanks information and price list
ALL
PRICES ARE IN UK POUNDS
Page last
updated JULY 2020 - click on "Refresh" or "Reload"
to ensure you see the latest information each time
you visit.
See
HERE
for
information on postal price changes.
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SHANKS
CAN NOT BE SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE EU
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SHANKS
Please
note - if you are ordering shanks and other
items that you wish to match (such as
ferrules, collars etc.) please tell us on your
order form (use the Technical instructions
information box) or email
us and we will do our best to send matching
sizes. If you order incompatible sizes we can
correct them and alter prices before payment is
taken on a card - but ONLY IF YOU TELL US YOU
WANT THINGS TO MATCH. It may seem obvious to
you that they are to match but often customers
buy items for existing projects and a shank or
two for later work. We can not read minds,
though sometimes it would be useful!
It
would also be advisable for you to tell us any
specific requirements regarding shank thickness,
colour etc. as we have quite a selection from
which to choose.
As
soon as you order anything your order form has a
box for "Technical instructions" where you can
leave specifications.
Many of the shanks we
sell are "Seasoned-only" and have been air dried
(typically for anything between 10 months and
two years) or occasionally kiln-dried. (See
lower down for Seasoned and straightened
shanks). Moisture content with air dried sticks
varies but will normally be between 15 and 20%
when measured with a digital moisture meter.
Some further drying is likely if you take the
sticks indoors, especially to very warm, dry
conditions.
These sticks are
graded by us and are not very bent or
crooked - but will still require straightening
if you like straight sticks (see the STICK PRESS
below). I won't send you anything that can't be
straightened if you use my methods - I keep the
really awkward ones to do myself!
Diameter at the top is typically around 7/8" (22
mm) to 1 1/8" (28 mm). Most shanks taper from
top to bottom and some have lots of knots -
others very few or none at all. All have the
bark left on, unless stated. I cut nearly all
these sticks myself but predicting demand a
couple of years in advance - so they have time
to season - is difficult and there are times
when I run out of some of them or have to buy
them from other sources.
Although we nearly
always have hazel, we do sell out of some of the
other "seasoned only" sticks. We tried some a
few years ago to see if they would be popular -
wow, were they popular! We cut a lot more the
following winter and they sold out
too!
For more information on
cutting and straightening your own sticks go
HERE
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SEASONED
ONLY HAZEL
The most
popular material for stick shanks in the UK and we
try to keep it in stock. Bark colour varies from
pale, silvery-grey to very dark brown, mottling and
striping often shown. Some hazel is very knotty,
some has hardly any knots at all. If you have very
specific requirements please contact us before
ordering.
These graded
sticks have been checked over and any with damaged
bark, dogleg kinks or other serious flaws have been
removed and are sold as "Misshaped" shanks, which
you will also find below for sale at a much reduced
price.
Most will still require some degree of
straightening and are not often suitable for the
fitting of screw joints in the middle - you need
straighter sticks for those.
35", 42", 48" or 54"
long - put the number of any you want in the Qty
(quantity) box then click on the "Add to cart"
button below the section.
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Single
shanks are difficult to pack so that they are
strong enough to withstand the rigours of transit.
We recommend that you buy several shanks at one
time if you have several projects lined up in the
future. Not only are they more likely to be
delivered intact but shipping is cheaper per stick
for you!
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All
shanks are sent by Courier
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Hazel
shanks are cut and bundled in the woods before
being stored under cover for one to two years to
season.
Hazel Standard
Grade, 7/8th inch to 1 1/8th inch (22 mm to 28
mm) at thickest end.
Hazel Lightweight
Grade less than 7/8th inch (22 mm) at thickest
end.
Hazel Heavy Grade
more than 1 1/8th inch (28 mm) at thickest end.
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Other
stick varieties - Seasoned only
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Less common varieties,
standard grade. We do sometimes have them in
light/heavyweight
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ASH Bark
normally grey, sometimes with a green tint which
slowly fades. Lightly sand or scrape the top layer
to reveal a lovely olive-brown
under-bark.
Often very knotty bark -
sand down or leave standing slightly proud. Ash
takes stain very well and can look quite striking
when stained dark brown, the really knobbly ones
looking like thorn wood. Wood under the bark is
almost white.
OUT OF STOCK
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BLACKTHORN
Very hard wood with deep reddish brown, purple
or black bark - often very knotty. I only cut a few
of these each year so stock soon runs
out!
True Blackthorn,
often fairly straight to begin with but will need
to be straightened further (ALSO SEE STRAIGHTENED
APPLE SHANKS BELOW).
Three lengths (42, 48"
or 54") around 22 to 27 mm thick at top, or
Lightweight shanks thinner than 22
mm.
Most Blackthorn is oval
or flattened in cross-section rather than circular.
making it more difficult to get a neat joint with
the handle or head unless a spacer or collar is
used.
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Although
we will send out single shanks they are
difficult to pack so that they are strong enough to
withstand the rigours of transit. We recommend that
you buy several shanks at one time if you have
projects lined up in the future. Not only are they
more likely to be delivered intact but shipping is
cheaper per stick for you!
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STRAIGHTENED
STICKS
HAZEL
seasoned and
straightened. We never have large stocks of
ready straightened Hazel and tend to straighten
them in small batches or as they are required.
These are normally straightened by us using our
own STICK PRESS (see below) although we may need
to buy in if we run short.
Three basic grades are
available - Standard is the most commonly
requested and will suit most types of stick.
Many of these can be further straightened by the
application of heat and use of a stick press
(see below).
Premium grade
sticks are more regular in diameter, straighter
than the Standard grade and often show more
interesting colours and bark patterns. Length
52" to 54".
Lightweight
sticks are not as thick as the Standard or
Premium grades but make good shafts for sticks
meant for smaller ladies or children.
Put numbers in the
quantity boxes below and the "add to cart" to
make your selection.
PLEASE NOTE: WE CAN
NOT SUPPLY STRAIGHTENED SHANKS IN LARGE NUMBERS
- ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM OF 10 PER ORDER. We
concentrate on supplying hobby stickmakers, not
professionals.
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STANDARD
HAZEL
22 mm
to 32 mm
at thickest end. Good, usable sticks for most
purposes - our most popular straightened
shank.
LIGHTWEIGHT
HAZEL
21 mm
or under
at thickest end. Most
suited for lightweight sticks for children or
smaller adults.
PREMIUM
HAZEL
23 mm
to 30 mm
at thickest end (no lightweight or heavyweight
ones) and better overall quality than the standard
grade.
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Coloured
Hazel
Showing
mottled patterns of black, green or brown on a
paler background over most or all of the shank.
Those pictured have no finish - but once you oil or
varnish them at home they can look really
stunning!
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SHANKS
CAN NOT BE SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE EU!
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Chestnut
seasoned and straightened.
Prominent knots and very dark bark colour - deep
brown to black - very similar look to Blackthorn
(it has fooled many people!). Most shanks taper
from top to bottom. We sometimes have these with
the bark peeled off (please email first to confirm
availability).
Standard grade
typically 7/8" (22 mm) to 1 1/8" (30 mm) at the
thicker (tapering down to the thinner end) end but
occasionally outside these limits.
Premium grade more
regular shape and size with good bark colour and
condition. We don't have many of these and there
are times when we only have the standard grade.
Length 52" to 54"
If you have very
specific requirements please contact us before
ordering.
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Chestnut shanks, seasoned and straightened - with
bark on.
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BLACKTHORN
STICKS
True Blackthorn, Prunus
spinosa, only a few cut each year so
OUT
OF STOCK AGAIN!
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NEW!
BLANK CURLED
STICK
Steamed Chestnut stick with
bark peeled off, ready for you to finish off in any
way you choose, e.g. staining or carving. Also very
suitable for pyrography work. Length approx. 36"
from top of curl to tip.
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Special
offer prices only apply when ordering
ONLINE
Stick
Press
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Stick
Press with a stick in a vice
Below: Very bent stick
before and after straightening with the press. It
took me less than 10 minutes to straighten this 54
inch blackthorn stick!
We don't normally cut sticks this bend but
blackthorn is worth having, no matter what it's
like!
You need some
form of heat to soften the sticks before
straightening.
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For more information on
cutting and straightening your own sticks go
HERE
Screw-joints
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Two brass parts and
threaded steel insert. Use 1/2" or 13 mm drill bit
(see TOOLS
page) for holes in stick and use epoxy (below) to
glue into holes.
I find the steel rod
supplied is often longer than required so use epoxy
to glue one end into the internal thread then cut
the exposed part in half with a hacksaw. You can
also cut the brass part shorter if
required.
I use strong thread to whip
behind the brass to strengthen the stick and
prevent it from splitting around the joint. Any
thread will do - I don't stock it,
sorry.
Soak the whipping thread in
epoxy or superglue to form a solid band. Smooth
with steel wool and varnish or oil with the rest of
the stick
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Brass, as in pool-cues, to
make a collapsible stick. 25 mm diameter flanges
(file down easily to smaller sizes). Essential if
you are taking your stick on an
aeroplane!
£4.50 per joint
set
These
have steel rods fitting into brass threads and are
much stronger than the old all-brass
ones!
You can also use these for
making one stick with two or more heads or
handles.
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Here are couple of ideas
for holding your stick together while the epoxy
sets around the joint:
On the left is a "Workmate"
type bench with the two parts lined up.
On the right there are two
identical woodworking vices, each holding one part
of the stick to be joined.
The stick needs to be as
straight as possible to get a good result - even
then, you might find you need to "tweak" the
straightening after fitting because the two halves
don't always end up in the same alignment as
before.
You can fit a joint
without any vice at all - by gluing one half into
one part of the shank and letting it set - then
guing the other half and holding it upright (one
end on the floor) until that starts to set. Keep
checking the alignment for a few minutes as it sets
and just tweak the positioning until it sets
completely. I've done this quite a lot recently and
it does work really well if you are
careful!
NB WE DO NOT FIT THE
JOINTS FOR YOU IF YOU ARE ORDERING DIY
SHANKS.
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Epoxy
putty
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Two-part epoxy - mix equal
amounts of adhesive and hardener together to start
the setting reaction. The mixture sets slowly,
starting off quite soft like Plasticine and slowly
getting harder. In effect you have an hour or so
before the mixture gets too stiff to work and it's
pretty hard after three hours and can be handled
after that. Black or white can be found on the
TOOLS
page.
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Epoxy
liquid Adhesive
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Similar to "Araldite Rapid"
but much cheaper! Five to ten minute working time,
full strength achieved in 60 minutes. Setting times
are slower in cool conditions.
Great for fixing heads and
handles to shanks and for fitting screw joints and
collars/spacers. Also good for filling hollows or
cracks in horn handles - or mixed with wood or horn
dust for filling larger spaces .
Perfect for fixing glass
eyes in heads and many other uses.
Price £2.40 per
pack
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PLEASE NOTE: PACK TYPE AND BRAND MAY VARY AS
WE'RE STRUGGLING TO OBTAIN "NORMAL" SUPPLIES DUE TO
MANUFACTURER DIFFICULTIES AT THIS TIME.
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Wrist
straps
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Nylon with elastic loop,
fits most sticks. £3.60 each
Black or brown
available (Click on circle to change) if we are out
of stock of your chosen colour we will send the
other (unless you tell us not to).
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Read
about it
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Wading staff conversion
kit. All the bits you need to convert your own
stick into a Wading Staff. Kit includes lead sheet,
shrink tube, nylon parachute cord, clips, pins,
brass screw and rubber ferrule (23 mm unless you
ask for different).
Instruction sheet for fitting the kit
included.
To see my wading sticks
click HERE
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Shrink tube 38 mm (1
1/2") diameter, for wading staffs and many other
uses. Black, in cut lengths of 20 cm (8") or 1m
(39")
Amazing stuff! 38 mm diameter shrinks to 19 mm when
heat is applied (I use a paint-stripper gun) but
length stays the same. Just slide it onto the stick
and apply heat gently - increase the heat until
shrinkage begins.
Forms a tight plastic
cover. Can be used on metal, too. Stops soft wood
and cane from fraying. Makes metal "warmer" to the
touch.
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Compasses
Small plastic compass -
diameter around 3/4 of an inch (20 mm). Fit into
handle of hiking stick or glue one of these to a
piece of polished wood or horn and fit a leather
loop to make a simple gift for a walker.
Note: There may be a small
air bubble inside the compass - this should float
above the dial. During shipping the bubble may
become trapped below it and stop the dial rotating
- try tapping the compass on its edge on a hard
surface to dislodge the bubble then place upright
and allow to settle. Close proximity of any
iron/steel may affect the correct functioning of
the compass so DO NOT fix steel studding near
it!
£2.10 each
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Drill bit for
small compasses
20 mm Forstner drill bit
for making flat-bottomed holes in horn, wood or
antler.
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Leather
lace
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Dark brown or Black,
for wrist loops, whistle lanyards, boot laces etc.
Sold in (approximately) 5 metre packets so you can
cut your own lengths.
£9.00 per packet.
The lace is approx. 3 x 2.6 mm square in
cross-section but can be rounded out and softened
by pulling through abrasive paper or tape.
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For abrasives look on the
TOOLS
page
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Special
offer prices only apply when ordering
ONLINE
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Email
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See
question and answer page about making your own
sticks
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Index
page
DISCOUNT CODE
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Convert
to your currency
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