Self Collected Willow Branches and Tool Used.

I just collected this willow branch while in Colorado last week. Willows branches come in various shades from rust color to a brown or brown/purple color. I collected 5 of these and each one was a bit different in shade. My son started to strip the skin/bark before I told him to wear gloves. As a result, when he finished his hands were stained with the sap - light rust brown. It took 3 days to wash off.

Some portions of the stick was stained with his hands and it turned out great.

In addition, I collected several great Aspen branches which were harder to find because aspen does not tend to grow straight.

Aspen is great to work with because it not too hard (the wood)and carves well. Once the skin is off is shows white wood. However, once you start to work with Aspen (sand/carve/cut out bad areas) areas of brown show up and creates a great look. Many times the brown is in streaks or lines.

Aspen is highly prized by the local people in Steamboat Springs for its white skin/bark and great fall colors. Many artists use Aspen to create fantastic walking sticks, turn bowls and flower vases.

You will notice the knife I use all the time to self collect sticks. It comes with a 3.5" blade and 3.5" saw blade. The saw blade cuts extremely fast and easy. People are surprised how easy it cuts (keep it sharp). The image shows the saw blade extended.

Remember to always to cut away from you. Control the pressure applied and make sure you keep safety in mind whenever you use the tool. Learning the correct woods to collect and how to work them is half the battle when making a walking stick. This is an active hobby from hiking to collect the wood, striping or not the bark, working the wood and then show off the finished project. Many people have made a business from this hobby.

P.S. I was able to collect a fir sapling while on a hike - very straight and light weight once it ages!