Making a stick to use in the woods or to perform magical rituals can be a fun project. Once you've found the right piece of wood, you can craft it and tailor it to what you have in mind. Do you want a good walking stick? Do you want to use it in live role-playing games or to perform some pagan ritual? Here you will find all the information you need! Read on to learn how to make a stick and customize it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making a Hiking Stick
Step 1. Find a piece of wood of the right length
For a good walking stick, you need to get a branch of a certain weight that is, at the same time, also light enough to be carried comfortably. The ideal stick should reach your chin, but you can also make one that is longer or shorter, depending on your preference. It should be relatively straight and uniform in thickness (at least 2.5-5 cm in diameter).
Green wood is too flexible to make a good hiking stick, so opt for dry wood. If you find a branch that particularly attracts your attention but is still green, cut it and peel it, then let it dry outdoors for a few weeks before starting to work it
Step 2. Go for walnut or ash wood
Any type of wood is fine, as long as it is to your liking, but many prefer the hardness and lightness typical of both walnut and ash (which, moreover, are quite common trees). When hiking, see if you find any branches of the right size; also consider if they are of a strong wood, able to withstand prolonged use. Search the woods in your area, especially those where the most suitable trees grow; among these we mention:
- Maple tree
- Iron wood
- Tamarisk
- Aspen tree
Step 3. Remove the bark and irregularities
Use a sharp knife to remove the bark and carefully smooth the surface of the branch to remove any irregularities. Round off the ends of the branch, making small notches to finish them off.
After cleaning the branch thoroughly, let it dry for a few days. If orange stains form on the wood due to moisture escaping, give it a good brush with a knife. After a few days the stick should remain a nice light and uniform color
Step 4. Finish the branch with the appropriate paint
If you want to give the stick a neat appearance and give it greater durability, apply a good wood stain. Generally, several layers of mordant must be applied; start with a thin, even layer, then rub it off and apply more coats of paint. The procedure must be repeated at least three times; the more layers you apply, the darker the wood becomes. Read carefully the indications of the product you intend to use.
You can also brand the wood before painting it. With good pyrography work, you can create truly evocative designs. To personalize the stick, choose an eye-catching design and transfer it to the wood
Step 5. Customize the pole using hiking equipment
Some hikers and survivalists like to wrap a piece of paracord around the stick to create a handle and, under it, add a layer of electrical tape and a couple of fishing hooks. You can add carabiners to attach water bottles, knives and any other object you deem useful to the stick. Wrap a leather band around the stick to create a comfortable grip.
On the lower part of the stick (at one third of the entire length), engrave 1-2 cm notches to measure the depth of the water when you ford a stream
Method 2 of 3: Create a Magic Staff
Step 1. Collect wood after a storm
In Wicca and other neo-pagan cults, fallen branches in a storm are believed to have supernatural powers. Whether that's true or not, it's still a convenient way to get wood. After a windstorm, scour the woods in your area for a stick that "talks to you".
Step 2. Choose a stick that has a particular meaning
In the magical arts, sticks symbolize male energy, and are also generally associated with the sun and wind. Walnut or oak is often chosen because of their strength, but any variety of wood is fine, as long as the branch has something to pass on to the future bearer. The object you are going to make will be for strictly personal use, so it is important to choose a branch that has a particular meaning for you (whatever it is).
When you find the right cane, sit down with him. Hold it in your hand and try to feel its energy. When you have the right stick in your hands, you will feel it clearly. The ideal stick should be three to five feet long
Step 3. Smooth the surface of the stick
Use a sharp knife and a piece of sandpaper to remove the bark and smooth the surface of the stick. Make long, regular cuts, trying to remove any imperfections to make the stick as smooth as possible. Handle the knife very carefully. Let the stick dry and, from time to time, remove the stains that form on its surface.
Step 4. Charge or bless the staff
Depending on your experience in the matter, you may have a favorite ritual for charging or blessing an item intended for magical practices. Light candles, purify the surrounding area, draw a magic circle, do whatever you think necessary in preparation for the ritual.
When you meditate, think of those natural elements (earth, sun and water) that contributed to the growth of the tree from which you made the stick. Thank the tree and reflect on the gift it gave you
Step 5. Consider carving the stick with magic symbols using pyrography
Pyrography consists in heating a metal object (a needle or even a soldering iron) with which to brand the wood. In the case of a magic staff, the process can prove particularly useful for instilling power into the wood.
When making a magic stick, it is best to avoid refining the wood with chemicals. Some practitioners believe that this limits the power of the stick by inhibiting the natural properties of wood. In order not to risk it, it is better to avoid painting
Step 6. Adorn the top of the staff with a stone or crystal that has a particular meaning
It may be helpful to place a stone charged with spiritual energy, a crystal, or a gem on top of the staff to make the staff more powerful. Make an incision on the top of the stick, then smooth it to give it the shape of the gem you intend to insert inside.
Do not fix it permanently and do not glue it. Tie it up with leather ties so you can remove it if necessary
Method 3 of 3: Make a Live Role Play Stick
Step 1. Purchase wooden rods of the appropriate length and thickness
If you want to make the perfect stick for live role play or cosplay, the wooden rods available at any hardware store are the best choice. They are wooden cylinders already polished and cleaned, available in different sizes. Valid alternatives to baste your stick include:
- Broomsticks (or mop)
- Broken hockey sticks
- Ax handles
- Spade handles
- Curtain rods
- PVC pipes
Step 2. Wrap the stick with electrical tape
To make a beautiful magician's staff with metallic reflections, red and black are particularly suitable. The important thing is to make the object look like something that it really isn't! To get a truly surprising effect, wrap the stick entirely with black ribbon and then, in a spiral, attach the red one to create the effect of a coiled snake or dripping blood.
Step 3. Place a crystal globe on top of the stick
A good magic stick cannot fail to have a crystal ball on top! For an excellent effect, get one of those bouncy balls that are sold in toy stores or use other types of lightweight balls that seem suitable for you. Some have psychedelic colors that are really perfect for such a stick.
- If the color of the globe doesn't suit you, paint it with some spray paint. Do this in a well-ventilated area and under adult supervision.
- On top of the stick, you can also hang headbands or add other decorative elements. Get creative!
Step 4. Make the handle with a leather lace or electrical tape
To improve your grip when on the battlefield, make a good grip. If you have an old soccer ball, cut the seams, remove one of the diamond-shaped parts and wrap it around the stick to get a nice leather grip, then sew it together with string to give it a rustic feel.
