Back in the shop, and got the clamps off, began working on the shaping of the wood. First step was to trim the bark off with the band saw. Then use the plane and the spoke shaves to began shaping the body of the cane. I had to do this in stages as working with hand tools is work. I could use power sanders, or put a sanding drum in the drill press, but it's not the point of the thing. I want to learn to use the spoke shaves, and the pleasure of the labor, the journey is the thing.

- 01 clamps off.jpg (329.31 KiB) Viewed 95 times

- 02 began shaping.jpg (280.96 KiB) Viewed 95 times
After a couple days, I had made significant progress and it was looking like something. I had run the blank across the table saw and trimmed off a 1/4" in thickness to give it a more consistent shape before I got well into it.

- 03 two days work.jpg (290.15 KiB) Viewed 95 times
The cane is beginning to show it's personality and I am seeing where I want to take things. I begin to work certain areas and define the shapes I want.
It won't be your typical round walking stick, it will carry some weight and show off the grain and beauty of the walnut.

- 04 taking shape.jpg (357.26 KiB) Viewed 95 times
AS you can see, I have put in a lot of work over the past few days. All the shavings you see came from the plane and the spokeshave... not a single tool was plugged in.

- 05 lotta work.jpg (246.7 KiB) Viewed 95 times
In this vice is a laminated block that will become the grip mounted to the top of the cane.

- 06 laminating the grip.jpg (245 KiB) Viewed 95 times
It's spalted maple, with a mahogany center. I will cut the rough shape on the bandsaw, then shape it with the spokeshave and sand to final smoothness and attach it with a bolt and epoxy. I hope this turns out, I think it will be unique, anyway. Even if it just stands in the corner... but I plan to use it.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.