Hawthorne makes a great stick. It's light, very strong and, as you say, works nicely. I made myself a rootball shillelagh from hawthorn a few years ago, very much a favourite stick, I kept the natural bark colour rather than blacken it and just used linseed oil and then wax to seal. Lovely thing.
Hi, that sounds like a stick you keep forever in the corner just to admire. I'm glad you have experienced working hawthorn and a old fashioned horse shoe in the house may advert the unlucky folklore it may bring....Happy hiking and stick crafting sir. Thanks for watching and commenting, Andy.
I read that Hawthorn symboled death during the black death in England. Its because the blossom has a chemical the same as a decaying corpse (unknown in those days) but held the same scent to a degree hence creating the link to death and plague. Great vid bud, new sub. Ive worked a lot with blackthorn and hawthorn. Great woods to work when dry. Im also in the UK and fortunate the council or walkers do not care about anyone taking a bit of a hedgrow down a track. Can get nicked for nicking a length of oak or such likes 😂
Yes, that's true its said to have a connection with death and dying. There is a wealth of folklore to read on line and its worthy of a video all of its own on this topic. Thanks for watching, Andy.
Hi Andy, Really enjoyed the video and your take on hawthorn. I have used hawthorn on a country stick for the handle (thumbstick) it worked well and looked really good when married with an antler collar on a hazel shank. Cheers
Hi ,you have experimented way more than me and I have loads to learn and try. I must make more of a effort to get more hawthorn this year.Thanks for watching, Andy.
That will make a very nice hiking stick. Hawthorne and black thorn are beautiful woods. Thanks for sharing. I really like the thorns and knuckles on my sticks. Gives them character. I understand you taking off the knuckles.
Hi, yes I took most down to a point it left a knotty wood grain look. This was a good looking stick in the end. Happy stick crafting and thanks for watching. Andy.
Bah I use willow and the fact that it bends is its strength. It is a magical wood. I use willow for axe handles, spade handles, knife handles, all sorts. I only use hand tools. Did you ever read the Willows by Algernon Blackwood? You really need to keep on the right side of them to prosper :)
Hi,I occasionally get willow but it's a rare event. I enjoy working a different wood now and again. I have not read that piece of work,I will check it out.Thanks for watching, Andy.
An interesting video, thank you. I have used hawthorn for woodturning small bowls, good to work and finished well. I have an unofficial supply from local hedgerows that are maintained, and the guys from the Country Park are happy for me to help them by taking a few pieces. I intend to try stick making; I need to get out and about to cut a supply to put into storage. Thank you for the tips and for sharing your knowledge.
Beware: hawthorn can be infected by a bacterium called ERWINIA Amulovoria which incan infect all fruit trees! In Italy according the law the blade used to cut a bkackthorn must be sterilised and akso if the bacterium idxa vegetabke one it is advised NOT to use the eood to carve spoon, bowls etc. It's also advidabke NOT to use fresh cut wood for sticks but let it season at least for one year to avoid spreading possible infection!
Hi, It's been sitting in the back of the rack for some time and I have been avoiding working it. I thought I was time to tackle this piece of wood and get to work. I will feature it some time down the line just to showcase it. I hope all is well across the big pond.Stay safe ,Andy.
The lore around Hawthorn says that the Fay inhabit lone Hawthorns and permission should be sought from the trees inhabitant before pruning or taking wood from the tree. Not gaining permission will lead to bad fortune. Hawthorns in a hedgerow typically do not have Fay tenants and therefore less superstition about taking wood from that source. Just beware of Hawthorn trees growing by themselves if you’re superstitious.
Hi, this is fascinating learning about new lore around hawthorn. I might just whisper a request next time I am by a lone hawthorn. Thanks for watching, Andy.
Ive just cut down some hawthorn because my neighbour wants some sunlight. The trees were close and all tangled together so one younger hawthorn has grown straight upward and should make a lovely stick.
Hi, I season my sticks for a year but as this piece is among the last from this harvested racked up it could possibly up to 16 months .To be honest I have overlooked it in favor of easier pieces of wood to work beforehand. Thanks for watching, Andy.
Hi, if you do your research 6 months in advance of cutting, they are easy to tell apart, Blackthorn flowers on bare branches,whereas Hawthorn comes into flower after the leaf buds have opened. Blackthorn bark & thorns exude toxins known as cyanogenic glycocides. HCN- Hydrocyonic acid,the dangerous toxicity is caused by this acid which kills cells & can lead to sepsis & ultimately death,the spines can go through clothing & even thick leather gloves,I am a horticulrist & my advice is to give blackthorn a wide berth, there are plenty of other woods from which to make walking sticks- as I do as a hobby,take care
Hi, I season for a year first, the main reason is as it's drying there is every possibility it will develop bends from the stick drying out and even if you had straightened it it would pull back to the original shape. Hope that helps,thanks for watch,Andy.
Hi , It's a good hardwood that does not have the popularity and acclaim of black thorn but if you don't mind a bit of folklore it a good choice. Your right about the protruding spikes they are unpleasant but many people leave them as a feature. Thanks for watching and commenting. Andy
Hi, yeah get harvested now and this time next year you will be crafting sticks. I have considered other crafting other items like you have mentioned,but i always seem to be out time.Thanks for watching, Andy.
Hi, The heart wood if memory serves me well is dark cream / coffee whereas black thorn has a dark brown/reddish/plumb center core.The stick at this size will have all the components layers of a young tree .Thanks for watching. Andy.
Hi, It's fascinating learning about hawthorn. It's true it has unlucky folklore attached to it but Nevertheless it has been used through history as it's very hard dense wood is priced for the above properties . It does make fantastic hiking sticks but you have to live with upsetting the little people of folklore and legends. Thanks for watching and commenting, Andy.
