NicksNatureNook diamond willow sizes found in the woods of Northern Minnesota

Diamond Willow carving guide.

Preparing the stick - there are many methods used for preparing sticks for carving. Many people like to peel the bark as soon as they are cut, (summer time) this make for easy peeling of the bark, something like peeling a banana. I prefer to let the sticks dry for at least a few months, prior to removing the bark. The most common problem with removing the bark while green is having the stick dry extremely fast will most certainly form cracks or splits.

Once I have let the stick has dried a few months I will peel the bark using a cheap filet knife, making sure to protect your hand with gloves. I have found filet knives to work nice and causes less fatigue in my hands and wrists. remove the bark down to the light colored wood, leaving the bark around the diamonds. At this point you should leave the stick to dry a little longer depending on how dry the stick is.

Before starting on the diamonds you should test the dryness of the stick by trying to sand the stick with some 40-80 grit sand paper, if the sand paper gums up the stick need more time to dry. You can proceed caving diamonds if you wish, but I have found the diamonds will for crack if you let it dry out a bit more. Once you think the stick is dry you can start to work on the diamonds. For this you can use carving knives of any sort or my favorite a rotary tool such as a dremel. I use a high speed dremel tool with a flexible shaft attached, and carbide tipped gouging tools. This makes carving out the diamonds go at a much quicker pace ( use caution these tool can be dangerous if not used correctly). Carve out the diamonds in any manor you desire, I like to take the bark off slowly the stop when a uniform grain pattern appears. You can increase the diamonds in size and depth as you wish, the inner core of the stick will usually have a reddish color.

After you have completed the diamonds you can start sanding the stick using a very rough grit to start, say 40-80 grit paper. I have found old belt sander belts work great. Proceed with two more levels of sanding until you are at a 220-320 grit, this should give you a nice surface to finish.

There are many-many different ways to finish your stick. I like to use a high quality marine polyurethane with a UV blocker. Apply the finish using a fine bristle brush, applying it in thin coats. You will notice the beautiful look of the diamonds right off. Continue applying thin coats until the desired depth is achieved. I prefer to apply a few coats of high gloss first and then use a semi-gloss for the final few coats, this will give the finish more depth.

If you have any suggestions about finishing willow sticks,
or even some pictures of sticks you have made I would
be glad to post our ideas on my web site.
diamondwillow@nicksnaturenook.com