| Archive for Dr. Grabow Pipes "America's One and Only" |
| Sir Duke |
Second Aid. (First Aid when ill prepared)This isnt about pipesmoking but...I was hiking, looking for the perfect white birch "shank" for a hiking stick I'm making for my Father in law for his birthday. his wife just passed and I wont to do something special. hiking with him is awesome. He is a hunter too. At 73+ years old, we worry about him off in the woods alone but, its in his blood. Speaking of blood, the purpose of the birch was because I wanted the white birch for its black and white bark. I envisoion a compass or themometer on top with a black leather strap, and I got a nice brass ferrule for the bottom with interchangeable "pick" or rubber tip. Well, I cut myself while sawing blood everywhere but it was just a nick. The real problem was not to get BLOOD on the white bark! So, after sucking on my finger, wrapping it in my shirt, it continued to bleed. But, Ahhhhh. I had a bandaid on the index finger of the index finger of my right- sawholding- hand covering a burn (stick bending). So, I peeled it off that hand and put it on the other hand. It was one of them Rubbery Band Aids and it stuck like.. well it stuck great. The bleeding stop and I could carry the sticks home without bloodstains. Thank you Johson & Johnson! moral of the story: never hike without smoking a pipe. What was I thinking!!!!!! such a gaff would have never happened! |
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| Sir Duke |
Oh yeah, and carry a first aid kit! | ||
| atlacatl |
Thanks for sharing. You should post a pic of the walking stick when your done. I would really like to see it. | ||
| Sir Duke |
DEfineately.
It has already deviated from my vision. Leaving the white bark on and then polyeurethaning it kind of changed the color of the bark. But I'll defineatley post the pic when ready. Birch tneds to shrink a lot when seasoning so I hope it doesnt mess up the ferrule at the tip when it shrinks. If it does... I have a plan.... |
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| ted |
Sir Duke....I'm looking forward to seeing this one....PLEASE....
I nicked my head a few years ago, but with a chain saw. I now have a V in my forehead. One side is a wrinkle, the other is a scar. Jeans made a good "band aid" for me. If I could change my name to Vincent, Y'all could see me coming..ted |
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| Sir Duke |
Finished The Walking StickI just need to have my wife wrap it for his Birthday.Disclaimer, this slideshow is like watching grass grow. It includes the formentioned Birch and a couple others. Most notably a cane made out of 7/8" acrylic stem stock. Maybe the world would be a better place if in fact we *did* like watching grass grow... |
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| ted |
Sir Duke. The white birch cane came out really nice. The color is great. Did you treat it with anything? Polyurethane?
Think I'll make one this weekend. We have almost no "wild" white birch, but have beech trees that grows along streams and may give the same appearance. Anyway, I can do that and stay off my foot. Pretty Work...ted |
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| drbridges |
Kinda puts my 20-year old hickory staff to shame. | ||
| Sir Duke |
I cane halve a shank and send it to you with a coupler. I have two brass coupler (3/4" I think) An inch might be more appropriate. Either way I dont even think the coupler cost 5 bucks. I did coat it with PU but wish I used a can of clear spray I didnt notice in the shop until I move the spray on urethane. It yellowed it more than I wanted. Ah, I forgot the broken toe! Indeed make a stick or call a toe truck! |
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| Sir Duke |
Nope you can't say that for another twenty years! Plus, I am kid of worried about the bells and whistles. This are the sticks we use to hike at his house in the Berkshires... Does it look like he's into fancy? Nope but its the thought that went into it that counts. Its just a frickin' stick: 
I think here, me, my son, and Lawrence use a broom handle and two pieces of lumber with straps! Worked for us for years! Overkill is what I do in case you haven't noticed. 
Click to see full size image |
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| ted |
I have the couplers...Not a problem.... Beech, remember Beech Nut chewing gum, is a little yellow, so the PU will do well. Let me tell you what you can do with your toe truck!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| drbridges |
Some called her a birch, and some called her a beech, but I thought she was the best piece of ash in the county. | ||
| Sir Duke |
... and this from a Church Alder! |
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| ted |
And a part time Peacher...... | ||
| drbridges |
Olive these puns, but I'm plum out of ideas. | ||