Well, you might join your local council conservation volunteers. Woodland management is just one of the tasks, copicing etc. My favourite tool for this is a Yorkshire billhook. But you might also end up hedge laying - putting in a row of posts in an overgrown hedge, then partially cutting the growing stems, laying them over and weaving in between the posts. These are all very satisfying tasks anyone can manage first time out with more experienced members. The group usually provides the tools. Try it sometime and get out there in the fresh air and experience the real thing, not just watch and wish on UA-cam. Where ever you are, look and you will find. Next maybe dry stone walling or, in our group, a weekend in the Welsh mountain s helping restore a Welsh long house, an exchange trip with a German group in theNord Eiffel and so it goes. If you like watching, don't just wish, get involved. It is within easy reach.
Simon wrote: "We find a lovely sunny spot amongst the stands of hazel and settle down for a couple of hours of pure peaceful bliss! " So you are doing "moving meditation!" And you reminded me of why I used to love walking in the woods... I explored all day long when I was a child, sunrise to just before sunset. Had to be home by sundown! Love the music, the background sounds, sound of your voice, love the habitat and your big black dog... and love watching you do your beautiful work. Reminds me of the fields in North Carolina, and wish you were a neighbor of mine! This video will have to be *second* best! Gracias, amigo!
Thank you Catherine! There is nothing better than a quiet spot amongst the trees, just the wind in the leaves, the creak of the trees and the birds singing - nothing is more peaceful.
Shows how useful a few plasters are! Easily forgotten first aid kit. Nice video simple starter carving/whittling project. Thankyou for sharing the idea and the gear!
Nice touch mentioning you first did that at the age of 5. When I offered my 6 and 9 year olds a chance to try a single spiral, they *flew* to get headlamps and search the yard for potential sticks. All three of us will be making thumb sticks for the first time this Spring. Really nice musical intro.
Very cool looking Newfie pup! Makes me sad for my old boy "Bruin" ('97-'05). They are one of the best breeds you could ever hope to have as a friend or family member.
Ouch, careful there mate. We don't want to see "Simon, a bloke in the hospital!" (loved the link to band aid btw) I have used Hazel to build bender shelters in the past, as you say it's incredibly versatile wood. ATB Criss
I'm sure that would still be a good episode.. Today we're camping in the ER over set up my baker tent near the triage and I'm going to make up a nice stew while waiting..
I said to myself, "thumbstick? thumbstick? what is a thumbstick?" well now I know! thanks again, Simon. I am fast catching up and enjoying every minute of it!
Great vid bud, Ur a talented fella I'm gonna get my kids to watch this one and let them make it, I'm sure they will love creating one, And yes, first aid will be at hand 👍
This should be on prescription as a sure method to induce childhood nostalgia in some people.:) My first "just-use-the-bush" craft was a fishing rod rest - essentially the Thumb Stick with a sharpened end and a few sizes smaller. And, of course, the explanation why the "fingers" of the "V" have to be just right - not to wide and not to narrow.:) A 4 or 5 y.o. me was fascinated! It felt as if I was being entrusted with something very important, some delicate secret and a huge discovery: I can make things from something that is simply there, and I am free to do so as long as I do not take more then I need. So many important things can be taught in such a simple way, taught to last. No early educational system, elaborate software or specialised program can beet the kind of marvel and bonding that can be achieved with a couple of hours of a genuinely rich interaction. Great video Simon! In honour of all the bleeding thumbs (up)!
Just a little tip to save the blade of your knife. Use the 90 degree spine to remove the bark - it works just as well and you won't dull your blade. Great video all the same. First one of your i've seen, and I have subbed :)
Great how dogs can relax whilst overlooking us working. Actually I had both our dog and our cat doing that this afternoon whilst forking over the vegetable garden...
Yes but its about times all these lazy well kept well fed pets actually did some work!!? I think they are trying to overtake us? Have us on the ends of a shoestring!! We are their puppets!! Are they planning to takeover from us? Hmmm? Makes you think theyve already got us working for them?
My previous dog was my helpmeet for wildlife tracking. Our current one hasn't learned that but, although quite friendly, is a very good guardian around the house. As for our cat, she's lots better than I am at catching mice and actually this very afternoon she did a very good job. I saw her do the predator approach stuff on the lawn, went to look and saw this was about a hedgehog. I've made a nestbox for those, so this allowed me to put one directly in it to catch the odour, hoping he or she will adopt it to breed in. We haven't had a resident couple for 6 years and we need them to eat slugs and suchlike.
Lovely. If the fork at the top of your chosen stick is strong enough, you can often improve comfort for your thumb by slightly hollowing the inner surface of each side of the fork. It stops bruising and blisters if you use it for a long walk. BTW....my personal rule from tedious past experience: "If you pack a blade, always pack first aid". A little saying I came up with having found myself in similar situations. Now I never go anywhere when carrying a bladed tool without the minimum of a basic first aid kit. The bigger the tools, the more comprehensive the human repair kit....up to a point of course! Thanks for another nice film Simon.
Cheers Laurence! That’s a neat little saying to help remember it! I normally carry first aid in my possibles pouch and that generally goes everywhere with me!! Not sure why I didn’t bring it this time! Lesson learnt!
What Maggie!, Simon Cut his thumb in the woods carving! For some reason that remind me of a lassie Tv show when I was a kid. 😁 looked like a fun little project , I got some hazel here at home I planted around 20 years ago, going to have to make one or two . Nice to see you again Simon , sure looked nice were you was at , starting to warm up here . Come on summer! Have a good day mate . A.T.B. Thanks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My grandpa used to carve peach pits in to small baskets 🧺. I from Massachusetts I. My grandma made baskets out of honey suckle vines ! That’s a good craft to know carveing. Love your videos ! You must know a lot ! Bye
Thank you Carolyn, I don’t know much really, I’m on a learning journey, but it’s fun to share as I go! I’m curious as to what a peach pit is? Cheers, Simon
Great video as always. I would love to see it in another video as a finished product! I may try this, it would make a great companion for my daughter. Thanks Simon!
Over 60 likes in less then 30min. Excellent work Simon. It's always awesome to watch your vids. It's 7am here in Australia and I have been up all night after watching your vid (5 months ago) "Make it" ultra light wood stove. I even went to Aldi to use the same components. I thoroughly enjoy your vids and already look forward to the next.
Thanks James! Yes, spent many happy hours ignoring odd sideward glances from other shoppers, offering up various tins and containers to one another and trying to picture whether they’ll work!! Hahaha. Good luck with the stove mate!
This fantastic educational phenomenal bushcarft channel and the video he’s makes are great phenomenal amazing way to help people learn their bushcraft skills and learning activities and I am glad to supporting this phenomenal man and his experience exciting bushcraft channel and Simon is funniest man on planet right now 🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
I like that you didn’t edit your accident. And you admitted to forgetting your first aid kit. Very genuine & sincere video. Do you still have this “Thumb Stick”. Safe travels & God bless. ⛺️👍🏼😎
Thanks Roland. We are all human, and I’m a clumsy bugger!! 😂 I do still have it - it’s taking on a nice rich colour as it sits in the corner of my ‘man cave’ 👍
Will have to give that a whirl, very nice stick. I have no hazel in my neck of the woods but maybe maple might do the trick. Thanks for sharing your carving project!
Made quite a few of these and other small whittling projects back when boys carried pocket knives and internet wasn't a thing 🙂 It's a great thing to do with the kids! They have their own knife. A Hultafors (with no pointy tip for the youngest). Doing that spiral pattern on a magic wand or something is always a popular challenge.
Excellent again. Until I started using sticks and walking poles I really did not believe how they can take pressure off your knees, plus of course, if there are two of you, your thumb sticks can provide support for your tarp.
I’ve recently converted to using poles - not all the time, but when my knee flares up or when going down hill (obviously not here in our county!!!) they make a huge difference to to My knees which used to suffer badly! 👍😁
The leather sleeve for the carving knife caught my eye. May have to make something like for mine. Right now I use a piece of styrofoam. No good in a backpack!
Great Video again Simon, very informative. I think modern sticks have they're place, in that they are strong, light and adjustable. My go too stick however is a Thumb stick I had made for me by my Father in Law. He is proper old school, I was measured up for it, the right height to my chest as you did. He checked my thumb size to make sure it was comfortable, and he finished it off with Brass ferrules top and bottom. Mine only feels comfortable one way round, if you know what I mean. It has been a fantastic Tool, and for a fraction of the cost of some of my Walking Poles, and probably will outlast my Black Diamonds. I have mine wrapped just below the V for about 12 inches with Squash Racquet leather wrap. All the best Wayne
Don't you just hate when you bleed all over your work? Nice lil vid Simon! nice to see the weather warming up in your neck of the woods as well. Thanks for keeping us entertained, look forward to the next one. Oh yea, my new Openel #8 gave me a small cut today as i was sharpening it! It was really sharp out of the box, but had a bur on one side, so as i was honing it, i just touched the blade, and bingo! Blood on the knife, and sharpening stone!
Great project! Years ago, I carved a hickory stick and made an 'ergonomic' grip head. A brass tack for reinforcing the bottom and ...well, I still have it standing in a closet.
Great vid and fantastic carving, i cheated a bit on mine used a round rasp for the twists and a bit of antler for the fork. there a great stick for air rifle shooting if yer getting tired
Ah, happy memories for me too. My first was made for me by an older boy I met on holiday on the Isle of Wight, way back in ‘68. Wish I still had it. Memories hey! We have the same knives pal, doesn’t @benorford make superb kit!
Thank you Sir! (I had to google C21, I got a bit confused about how you might have associated me with that famous Danish pop boy band, must be my youthful looks and ‘down with kids’ urban street wise demeanour, teeheehee! 😂
Simon, a bloke in the woods I didn’t realise there were any other meaning for the abbreviation for the 21 Century, last time I was down with the kids I fell over in Toys Are Us.
Evening Simon, nice, peaceful job there mate. I’m quite surprised you being a wood butcher by trade, that you didn’t light a fire and make tea and heat straighten your hazel, it’s an old method with green wands to get ‘em a good bit truer, the technique is shown in one of Ray Mears programs and I’m certain it’s right up your street mister and any excuse for a cup of splosh eh?Nice pleasant way to spend an afternoon though mate, the weather played well too for the time of year. Another fine inducement to get off ones seat and get out in the air, first rate stuff!!👍🏻
Cheers Nick, yes if I’d been out for a bit longer (and had permission to be there!) that would here been a top idea - a nice cuppa would have been the perfect addition too!! Cheers mate!
Great work on the edit as always. What you should do is a video on how make your videos. Seamless. And there's great skill in making that amount of work completely unnoticeable!
I just watched the hazel thumbstick walking stick video and I was wondering if you would ever consider carving a spoon or kuksa (cup) and showing how to do it? Love all your camping videos and have enjoyed your walks and explaining the history of the areas you are walking. I'm from Kansas so no hazel here.
Loving the video Simon.. something a little bit different...I don't have any carving knives but will improvise with a Stanley knife and make me one of them there sticks...😀😀👍
I’m a subscriber, but hadn’t seen this video before. So nice to see Maggie in her younger days out rambling with you. Happy memories!
Maggie makes every video better.
Something about this guy. Simply a great chap. I’d love to spend some time outdoors with him.
me, too!
Well, you might join your local council conservation volunteers. Woodland management is just one of the tasks, copicing etc. My favourite tool for this is a Yorkshire billhook. But you might also end up hedge laying - putting in a row of posts in an overgrown hedge, then partially cutting the growing stems, laying them over and weaving in between the posts.
These are all very satisfying tasks anyone can manage first time out with more experienced members. The group usually provides the tools.
Try it sometime and get out there in the fresh air and experience the real thing, not just watch and wish on UA-cam.
Where ever you are, look and you will find.
Next maybe dry stone walling or, in our group, a weekend in the Welsh mountain s helping restore a Welsh long house, an exchange trip with a German group in theNord Eiffel and so it goes.
If you like watching, don't just wish, get involved. It is within easy reach.
Enjoyed that very much as i need a walking stick. Good to see Maggie again too. You must miss her.
Simon wrote: "We find a lovely sunny spot amongst the stands of hazel and settle down for a couple of hours of pure peaceful bliss! " So you are doing "moving meditation!" And you reminded me of why I used to love walking in the woods... I explored all day long when I was a child, sunrise to just before sunset. Had to be home by sundown! Love the music, the background sounds, sound of your voice, love the habitat and your big black dog... and love watching you do your beautiful work. Reminds me of the fields in North Carolina, and wish you were a neighbor of mine! This video will have to be *second* best! Gracias, amigo!
Thank you Catherine! There is nothing better than a quiet spot amongst the trees, just the wind in the leaves, the creak of the trees and the birds singing - nothing is more peaceful.
Thanks for sharing your great craft, after a hard walk l need a walking stick just like that one😊
Incredibly strong, hazel. I made a handle for my pickaxe from it 31 years ago and it's still whole despite all I've subjected it to since.
Wow! Well, that says all you need to know about it! Cheers!
Woah
Perfect viewing with a cup of tea. Thanks for taking us along. Maggie really a darling!
I have to say I really enjoy your video's. Combing hiking with crafts etc really keeps me wanting more. Please keep it up!! Best regards from Canada.
Shows how useful a few plasters are! Easily forgotten first aid kit. Nice video simple starter carving/whittling project. Thankyou for sharing the idea and the gear!
Nice touch mentioning you first did that at the age of 5. When I offered my 6 and 9 year olds a chance to try a single spiral, they *flew* to get headlamps and search the yard for potential sticks. All three of us will be making thumb sticks for the first time this Spring. Really nice musical intro.
That’s lovely! Kids love to carve! 😁
Very cool looking Newfie pup! Makes me sad for my old boy "Bruin" ('97-'05). They are one of the best breeds you could ever hope to have as a friend or family member.
Love your newfie❤ The walking stick is very classy!
what a nice way to spend an afternoon. nice job on the thumb stick...
Always a pleasure watching your videos. Thanks, Simon. 🌄
Like your style, your message, the music, the videos. Really enjoy the shows. Relaxing.
Thank you! 👍
Ouch, careful there mate.
We don't want to see "Simon, a bloke in the hospital!"
(loved the link to band aid btw)
I have used Hazel to build bender shelters in the past, as you say it's incredibly versatile wood.
ATB
Criss
I'm sure that would still be a good episode..
Today we're camping in the ER over set up my baker tent near the triage and I'm going to make up a nice stew while waiting..
Uncle Simon, I must share with you the best damper recipe ever.
I said to myself, "thumbstick? thumbstick? what is a thumbstick?" well now I know! thanks again, Simon. I am fast catching up and enjoying every minute of it!
Great vid bud,
Ur a talented fella
I'm gonna get my kids to watch this one and let them make it,
I'm sure they will love creating one,
And yes, first aid will be at hand
👍
Another great project. Nice work. Give Maggie a god Pet, she is so beatiful and at peace in the woods. Best regards from South Sweden
Nice one Simon, looking forward to seeing it oiled.
with patina of essence of human life from the thumb...
Thats what she said
This should be on prescription as a sure method to induce childhood nostalgia in some people.:) My first "just-use-the-bush" craft was a fishing rod rest - essentially the Thumb Stick with a sharpened end and a few sizes smaller. And, of course, the explanation why the "fingers" of the "V" have to be just right - not to wide and not to narrow.:) A 4 or 5 y.o. me was fascinated! It felt as if I was being entrusted with something very important, some delicate secret and a huge discovery: I can make things from something that is simply there, and I am free to do so as long as I do not take more then I need. So many important things can be taught in such a simple way, taught to last. No early educational system, elaborate software or specialised program can beet the kind of marvel and bonding that can be achieved with a couple of hours of a genuinely rich interaction.
Great video Simon! In honour of all the bleeding thumbs (up)!
Thank you!! I wholeheartedly agree! Time in the woods is time well spent and so much to be learnt, real human skills that we are built to learn! 👍
Just a little tip to save the blade of your knife. Use the 90 degree spine to remove the bark - it works just as well and you won't dull your blade.
Great video all the same. First one of your i've seen, and I have subbed :)
Great how dogs can relax whilst overlooking us working. Actually I had both our dog and our cat doing that this afternoon whilst forking over the vegetable garden...
Yes but its about times all these lazy well kept well fed pets actually did some work!!? I think they are trying to overtake us? Have us on the ends of a shoestring!! We are their puppets!! Are they planning to takeover from us? Hmmm? Makes you think theyve already got us working for them?
My previous dog was my helpmeet for wildlife tracking. Our current one hasn't learned that but, although quite friendly, is a very good guardian around the house. As for our cat, she's lots better than I am at catching mice and actually this very afternoon she did a very good job. I saw her do the predator approach stuff on the lawn, went to look and saw this was about a hedgehog. I've made a nestbox for those, so this allowed me to put one directly in it to catch the odour, hoping he or she will adopt it to breed in. We haven't had a resident couple for 6 years and we need them to eat slugs and suchlike.
It’s lovely isn’t it - content dog, content human! 😁
Lovely. If the fork at the top of your chosen stick is strong enough, you can often improve comfort for your thumb by slightly hollowing the inner surface of each side of the fork. It stops bruising and blisters if you use it for a long walk. BTW....my personal rule from tedious past experience: "If you pack a blade, always pack first aid". A little saying I came up with having found myself in similar situations. Now I never go anywhere when carrying a bladed tool without the minimum of a basic first aid kit. The bigger the tools, the more comprehensive the human repair kit....up to a point of course! Thanks for another nice film Simon.
Cheers Laurence! That’s a neat little saying to help remember it! I normally carry first aid in my possibles pouch and that generally goes everywhere with me!! Not sure why I didn’t bring it this time! Lesson learnt!
What Maggie!, Simon Cut his thumb in the woods carving!
For some reason that remind me of a lassie Tv show when I was a kid. 😁 looked like a fun little project , I got some hazel here at home I planted around 20 years ago, going to have to make one or two . Nice to see you again Simon , sure looked nice were you was at , starting to warm up here . Come on summer! Have a good day mate . A.T.B.
Thanks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hahaha! I was getting a bit of Skippy the Bush kangaroo there too!
Thanks mate!
Didn’t know who skippy was , looked it up. Going to have to see if I can watch some of that 😂
Great little project to teach youngsters carving and knife safety 😝! I have a young protege I’m going to use this with as a beginning project. Thanks!
Love your Newfoundland Maggie too
Nice video and good job on that Thumb Stick.
Greetings,, Kitty
My grandpa used to carve peach pits in to small baskets 🧺. I from Massachusetts I. My grandma made baskets out of honey suckle vines ! That’s a good craft to know carveing. Love your videos ! You must know a lot ! Bye
Thank you Carolyn, I don’t know much really, I’m on a learning journey, but it’s fun to share as I go! I’m curious as to what a peach pit is? Cheers, Simon
I always smile when I see Maggie. Hey, I don't think blood makes the best wood stain. lol.
Good tip rounding off the edges, I learned this after my first little cane I made for my step son.
Great video as always. I would love to see it in another video as a finished product! I may try this, it would make a great companion for my daughter. Thanks Simon!
Excellent video, Maggie is such a peaceful soul
Over 60 likes in less then 30min. Excellent work Simon. It's always awesome to watch your vids. It's 7am here in Australia and I have been up all night after watching your vid (5 months ago) "Make it" ultra light wood stove. I even went to Aldi to use the same components. I thoroughly enjoy your vids and already look forward to the next.
Simon has now made me spend hours in supermarkets looking and sizing up tins !!!
Hi Jeremy, I know that feeling all too well. I started making my own when my local camp store had no idea what a Honey stove or a firebox was..
Thanks James!
Yes, spent many happy hours ignoring odd sideward glances from other shoppers, offering up various tins and containers to one another and trying to picture whether they’ll work!! Hahaha.
Good luck with the stove mate!
I love the patience of dogs. great companions
Awesome video and a stunning thumb stick, a great project for working on out in the woods. Take care...(With thumbs and fingers in mind ;))
I've never heard of a thumb stick but it's the perfect name for it. Really nice spiral too - thank you. Hope your thumb heals without issue.
Thank you! It’s healing up, slowly!
Quality craftmanship 👍🔥
This fantastic educational phenomenal bushcarft channel and the video he’s makes are great phenomenal amazing way to help people learn their bushcraft skills and learning activities and I am glad to supporting this phenomenal man and his experience exciting bushcraft channel and Simon is funniest man on planet right now 🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Very nice. You sir are a jack of all trades! I’m impressed.
And master of none!!! 😂😂
I like that you didn’t edit your accident. And you admitted to forgetting your first aid kit. Very genuine & sincere video. Do you still have this “Thumb Stick”. Safe travels & God bless. ⛺️👍🏼😎
Thanks Roland. We are all human, and I’m a clumsy bugger!! 😂 I do still have it - it’s taking on a nice rich colour as it sits in the corner of my ‘man cave’ 👍
@@simonablokeinthewoods need some pics of this I think
Will have to give that a whirl, very nice stick. I have no hazel in my neck of the woods but maybe maple might do the trick. Thanks for sharing your carving project!
You Rock Simon!!! I always learn something from your videos!!! ;P
My cousin made me a blackthorn stick and slipped a section of metal pipe on the end.Nice vid.
Can’t beat hazel thanks for sharing
Thanks for being real. It makes me feel better when I do dumb things like cut my finger tip or whatever
Always a pleasure watching your videos.
Simon it’s a thumb crutch! For use with an injured thumb! 🤣
😂😂😂
Made quite a few of these and other small whittling projects back when boys carried pocket knives and internet wasn't a thing 🙂 It's a great thing to do with the kids! They have their own knife. A Hultafors (with no pointy tip for the youngest). Doing that spiral pattern on a magic wand or something is always a popular challenge.
Simon again lovely video, nice little change from the hiking and camping. Look forward to the next one.
Excellent video my friend you look very happy doing this 😄😄😄😄
Happy as Larry (whoever he is!!)
Excellent again. Until I started using sticks and walking poles I really did not believe how they can take pressure off your knees, plus of course, if there are two of you, your thumb sticks can provide support for your tarp.
I’ve recently converted to using poles - not all the time, but when my knee flares up or when going down hill (obviously not here in our county!!!) they make a huge difference to to
My knees which used to suffer badly! 👍😁
Very nice Thumbstick Simon, excellent work :) ATB.
Good Man, when you make a boo boo ( cutting your thumb ) you admit it. Thanks for another great video.
thank you this is a good project for me and my Grandson!
Just discovered your channel. Absolutely love the content. All delivered with good humour and zero ego. A rarity. Keep it up.
Thank you! 😁
Terrific Video. Thank you for sharing !
A lovely video, good information, well edited. Relaxing to watch, and I learned something. Thank you.
The leather sleeve for the carving knife caught my eye. May have to make something like for mine. Right now I use a piece of styrofoam. No good in a backpack!
I made one of those with my dad when I was a kid :) great fun.
Nice stick, congrats and thanks!
I love you and your videos keep up the good work
Hi Simon, I enjoyed watching that, it was rather relaxing actually. 😊
Yesssssss, Beer Time, Sorry Mrs T I'm out of order for next 30 mins !!!
nice video Simon, its good to see different ways of cutting and carving. ATB mate.
Might have to give that a go. Great idea. Look forward to seeing it when its dried and coated .
Nice work ! Beautiful dog !
Lovely thumb stick Simon. Should give you years of good service. Thanks for another informative video. ATB
Great video Simon! I really enjoyed Maggie too. She looks like a great companion for you. Cheers from Denver Colorado. Thanks
This video definitely is one on the most relaxing, good job Simon!
Lovely piece of work on a cracking spring day. Hope the nick is ok. A relaxing watch 👍👍Cheers Sel
Great Video again Simon, very informative. I think modern sticks have they're place, in that they are strong, light and adjustable. My go too stick however is a Thumb stick I had made for me by my Father in Law. He is proper old school, I was measured up for it, the right height to my chest as you did. He checked my thumb size to make sure it was comfortable, and he finished it off with Brass ferrules top and bottom. Mine only feels comfortable one way round, if you know what I mean. It has been a fantastic Tool, and for a fraction of the cost of some of my Walking Poles, and probably will outlast my Black Diamonds. I have mine wrapped just below the V for about 12 inches with Squash Racquet leather wrap. All the best Wayne
Sounds like a work of art! And a beautifully sentimental thing that you’ll cherish forever! You don’t get that with carbon fibre!! 😁👍
Don't you just hate when you bleed all over your work? Nice lil vid Simon! nice to see the weather warming up in your neck of the woods as well. Thanks for keeping us entertained, look forward to the next one. Oh yea, my new Openel #8 gave me a small cut today as i was sharpening it! It was really sharp out of the box, but had a bur on one side, so as i was honing it, i just touched the blade, and bingo! Blood on the knife, and sharpening stone!
Thanks mate! Not just me then hahaha!
Hope you enjoy your Opinel! 👍
what a bloody nice stick.good job.
Love this. Such a simple design but so effective
Great project! Years ago, I carved a hickory stick and made an 'ergonomic' grip head. A brass tack for reinforcing the bottom and ...well, I still have it standing in a closet.
Nice!! 😁
Never heard of a thumb stick, but that’s pretty cool 👍🏻 Thanks Simon 😎
That's lovely Simon, well done, nice to see Maggie with you too , hazel is a lovely wood :)
Great vid and fantastic carving, i cheated a bit on mine used a round rasp for the twists and a bit of antler for the fork. there a great stick for air rifle shooting if yer getting tired
Cool. Fancy some carving and that looks a good place to start.
yep simon gonna have a go at this from a drift wood stick we find here in orkney...all the best..mick.
Ah, happy memories for me too.
My first was made for me by an older boy I met on holiday on the Isle of Wight, way back in ‘68.
Wish I still had it.
Memories hey!
We have the same knives pal, doesn’t @benorford make superb kit!
Thanks John, he certainly does! I’ve been lusting after one of his bushcraft belt knives for a long long time!! 😁
Forgetting your first aid kit... tut tut haha Always enjoy the ‘Make it’ videos - thanks mate ✌🏼
I know, I know!!! 😂
I remember making these with my grandpa when we whent for walks. He makes all forts of sticks now with different materials for a nice handle
Hi Simon really enjoyed watching that nice one squirrel
Great tutorial Simon 👍🏻😁
Never seen a thumb stick before 🤔👌🏻 but looks nice. Thanks for sharing
Atb to you my friend 😉
Tom
EXCELLENT, very informative and helpful!😁
You are good at this Captain, a very natural style. Fast becoming the Jack Hargreaves of the C21 :)
Thank you Sir! (I had to google C21, I got a bit confused about how you might have associated me with that famous Danish pop boy band, must be my youthful looks and ‘down with kids’ urban street wise demeanour, teeheehee! 😂
Simon, a bloke in the woods
I didn’t realise there were any other meaning for the abbreviation for the 21 Century, last time I was down with the kids I fell over in Toys Are Us.
Good vid Simon...I'm going to try this out .....🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
Cracking project! Can’t wait to make one!
Loved the stick and the nick
Cheers
Nice one Simon...like the logo too 👍
Evening Simon, nice, peaceful job there mate. I’m quite surprised you being a wood butcher by trade, that you didn’t light a fire and make tea and heat straighten your hazel, it’s an old method with green wands to get ‘em a good bit truer, the technique is shown in one of Ray Mears programs and I’m certain it’s right up your street mister and any excuse for a cup of splosh eh?Nice pleasant way to spend an afternoon though mate, the weather played well too for the time of year. Another fine inducement to get off ones seat and get out in the air, first rate stuff!!👍🏻
Cheers Nick, yes if I’d been out for a bit longer (and had permission to be there!) that would here been a top idea - a nice cuppa would have been the perfect addition too!! Cheers mate!
Say no more mate, a nod’s as good as a wink an’ all that cobblers!😉👍🏻
Great work on the edit as always. What you should do is a video on how make your videos. Seamless. And there's great skill in making that amount of work completely unnoticeable!
Thanks Alan! 👍😁
I just watched the hazel thumbstick walking stick video and I was wondering if you would ever consider carving a spoon or kuksa (cup) and showing how to do it? Love all your camping videos and have enjoyed your walks and explaining the history of the areas you are walking. I'm from Kansas so no hazel here.
That is pretty cool, I've carved a few hiking staves over the years, especially with the Scouts.
Loving the video Simon.. something a little bit different...I don't have any carving knives but will improvise with a Stanley knife and make me one of them there sticks...😀😀👍
That’ll do the job just fine! 👍😁
Watching it now👍👍👍
Great one. Did exactly the same to my thumb last week.