Walking Cane: Episode 2

Posted 6 November 2013

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In this episode, Paul shows us how to shape the handle of the cane using stop-cuts, the chisel, the spokeshave and rasps. He also shows us how to shape the shaft so it is round in cross section at the bottom and oval at the top, with a gradual taper. He will show us how to put a twist in the shaft next week.

Previous: Walking Cane: Episode 1

29 Comments

  6. Great job Paul and team. 😉
    Me starting to think I might have a go at this one.

    A good set of rasps is what I am short of have to get some.
    Not a problem with spokeshaves could use a file to refine some edges.

  7. That is coming along nicely, I just purchased some nice NOS rasp’s from a fellow in Chicago in the States who know his stuff.

    I will be staring one or two of these projects in the very near future. Thanks Paul and team for yet another great project.

    Steve

  8. now lads and lassies i am even more pleased i purchased a set of Aldi chisels .when you see a master craftsman with a set along side his Auriou rasps one must conclude that they are decent set of chisels and no silly micro bevels on mine either .one thing i would like to know is the grain size i would be looking at the narex.but fine it a bit confusing

    1. Must be a lot of silly people out there, Including some well respected woodworking teachers using micro bevels, including me. Why do people think anything different to what they use is silly.

    2. I use a Auriou 12-inch number 10. I tried various grains before settling on a #10 which I found to be fast-cutting yet left a relatively smooth finish which needs only a quick going over with 240 sandpaper.

      I would like to get a finer riffler at some point in the future as well.

    1. Jeff, which rasps do you have? I am eager to add another one to my collection at the finer end of the scale and was wondering whether to get a 13 or 15 grain?

      Thanks
      Richard.

  10. Hi Everyone,

    Paul at 4:18 on the video you mention that you need a macro-bevel and that a micro bevel won’t work well either. Could you explain that. I have micro- bevels on my chisels I just want to know what you mean by a macro-bevel. Thank you for all you do you’ve help make my woodworking alive again.

    Chuck

      1. Ken, do you have these all filled away somewqhere? You just are a wealth ofg knoledge. I asked where you lived because I thought you were in the US – I now know I was wrong. Thank you for the information. I do appreciate your help.

  12. So today I was staring at a couple of panels I’d just clamped up, glue totally wet, unsure how I was going to spend the rest of my time in the shop.

    So, I started a cane with some oak scraps I’ve had for a long time and I’m really enjoying it. I managed to catch up to where Paul leaves off in this video in a surprisingly short amount of time.

    Great, quick, rewarding project!

  13. Great episode. Awaiting the final one to get the shaft shape.

    Shaping wood by hand is a pleasing and therapeutic task to do. I used regular rasps, files and spokeshaves following the Paul’s indications. I hope it will be a great gift for a relative.

    Thanks for this one

    –Óscar

  14. Hi Paul

    Just had a little look at a photo of your famous rocking chair on Pinterest. I have always admired it and am looking forward to making it one day bif you put it on the masterclasses. What struck me was the similarity of many of those joints in the chair to the walking cane joints in the current series. Is this just coincidence?? 😉

    John

      1. Paul,
        I have a set of files (coarse, medium and fine) to supplement rasp work, which I have found useful after rasping. Files are not as expensive as rasps.

        Does this correspond with your experience?

        Instructive project, Paul. Even though I looked at it months ago, I have come back to the cane project and am excited over the techniques used here. So much to learn.

        1. hi William i hope you dont mind me jumping in here ,i also use a set of files after rasping as i only have a set of coarse Narex rasps and without the finer files the work would be a lot more difficult and it would create so much sanding it wouldn’t be a pleasure to do just my opinion i hope it helps

  15. I was wondering whilst watching this….could you not use one of the long clamps to dog the shaft in the vice with a piece of wood below it to stop it bowing under pressure? The first time I ever saw a technique for planing something round was when I looked into making a snooker cue and saw John Parris planing the shaft of a cue…until then I had no idea they made them that way.

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