Production Styx 1.0

This is a prototype for a ‘production’ cane that I plan to keep in stock and sell for around $50 to $60.  It is made from a one inch diameter oak dowel.  The handle is made from a 1.5 inch dowel.  I use a mortise and tenon joint to join them.

First Styx 07

Assorted pictures taken during the carving process before the dark stain and gloss finish were applied.

First Styx 06

The bottom quarter of the cane is carved into a three lobed spiral. I considered it an easy way to finish the cane, but the grain exposed turned out to be really pretty.

First Styx 05

This figure of the Goddess was inspired by a small clay Goddess figure found at a neolithic Archeological dig.  It is believed to be the oldest representation of the Goddess that has been found.  after completing the cane I discovered that turning the Goddess upside down makes it look like a skull.  No disrespect was intended for any Goddesses who might be reading this blog.

First Styx 04

This figure started out to be a castle window looking out onto some outdoor scene.  When I continued the stone work around the cane, making it look more like a fire place, I decided flames wold be much more appropriate (not to mention easier to carve).

First Styx 03

This was my first attempt to carve a ‘wood sprit’, or wizard. The picture in the middle shows the whole figure better, but is not in focus. The other two are in better focus and show more detail but don’t show the overall look of the figure.

First Styx 02

Way back ‘rond ’69 when I was attending San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton California a few of us got together and made bronze Thor’s Hammers using the lost wax casting method.  They looked much like the one I carved into my First Styx.  I wore it on a leather thong around my neck for years.  If I really looked I might still be able to find it hidden somewhere in one of my boxes of treasures from my youth.

First Styx 01

This eight pointed Star of Ishtar started out as a representation of the points of a compass. The point on the left (as seen from the viewers perspective) kept breaking causing me to carve the whole figure deeper and deeper into the wood. It finally took on the present look which I consider to be more like the traditional eight pointed Star of Ishtar than to the compass points I started with.

If I’m going to call this blog ‘StyxMaker’…

…I guess I should talk a bit about my hobby (soon to be business) of making canes, walking sticks, and hiking staffs. 

First, a word about definitions, a ‘cane’ is curved at the top (or has some form of grip for the hand) and is intended to be the most utilitarian of the three basic types listed above.  It is the one intended to be usable when a person really needs help remaining stable while walking.  A ‘walking stick’ is the same length as a cane, but usually has an ornamental ball (or at least a generally ‘ball’ shaped ) ‘handle’ at the top.  Walking sticks are not intended for use if you seriously need help remaining stable while you are walking.  They are intended to look nice and make you feel good as you saunter down the avenue.  Hiking staffs are usually shoulder height or higher and are gripped with the arm bent at the elbow.  The length can often come in handy if you are hiking over rough trails. 

I have also been making some ‘short’ staffs.  These are long enough to grasp like a standard staff, but not so long that you need to tie them to the roof and put a red flag on the end when you are in a car.  I will post pictures of my canes, walking sticks, and hiking staffs on this blog.