A carved staff
Carving a wizard staff will allow you to explore woodcarving in a creative way. Wizard staffs are similar to walking sticks in length. The top portion of the wizard's staff is typically intricately carved. Mythical objects and claws gripping spheres are common subjects of wizard staff carvings. Wizard staffs are ideal to carve while on a break during a hike or at the campfire because they require only a few basic tools that can be carried in a day pack or even your back pocket.
Instructions
1. Select a 60-inch section of tree branch or sapling. Wizard staffs should taper from the top to the bottom.
2. Use a carving knife to shave 6 to 8 inches of bark off the top portion of the staff. This will be the section that will be carved.
3. Draw the basic outline of the carving in the portion of the staff that was shaved off. Use a carving knife to start defining the basic shape of the carving.
4. Make small cuts, taking a little bit of the wood away at a time. Small, shallow cuts will result in a more detailed carving. Cut deep grooves or hollowed-out sections of the staff, using a small U-gouge to achieve a smooth, rounded cut in the wood.
5. Continue carving out details, using the knife for sharp cuts and removing excess wood and the gouge for smooth cuts until you are satisfied with the end result.
6. Sand the carving lightly using 120-grit sandpaper.
Tags: Wizard staffs, carving knife, portion staff, wizard staff
