056 - A knobstick made from the shank of an old cane stick and a piece of grapevine (originally part of a corkscrew handle).
Max had inherited the remains of an old cane stick and asked me if I could do anything with it.
In fact, all that remained was the cane shank. This was discoloured and badly split at the top end where water had got into it. Nonetheless, it was a good sturdy shank and the scars and splits it had accumulated over many years gave it a character that no brand-new stick would ever have.
Eventually we agreed I would turn it into a knobstick using a piece of the same grapevine corkscrew handle that I used on my #045 Womble stick (it was a very large corkscrew!). I filled in the nooks and crannies using black and brass-filled epoxy resin and embedded a gilt owl in clear resin in the biggest hole.
There was no chance of closing up the splits in the cane shank, so I drilled out the top section and filled it with epoxy resin filler. My aim throughout was not to hide any damage, but to stabilise it and make the stick safe and comfortable in use while retaining its battle-scarred character. I also filled in the hole through the cane where a thong had been threaded through it at some time in the past, as this would otherwise let in moisture and cause more problems in the future.
Then I fitted the new knob via a black buffalo horn spacer picked out with brass-filled epoxy lining, and shaped it to blend into the slightly curved shape of the shank.
The overall result is a rugged, highly individual and intriguing cane knobstick, no doubt with many tales to tell of its previous life. I hope it will serve Max as well in its present incarnation as it did its original owner.
SOLD (a commissioned work)