Home Grown Baston

[kilogulf59]

Hello folks,

I'm new to the forum so I hope I have the right spot for this post.

Do any of you make your own baston?

I have many Oak saplings on the property and was thinking of cutting a few for sticks and, possibly a Jo and/or Bo.

Any tips on curing or anything else?

[arnisador]

I've never made my own!

[Sheldon Bedell]

Oak, hickory, elm and a few other trees have been good for me. I sometimes cook them but often i just peel and use. If I even think they are starting to crack I throw them away.
I have never oil soaked them but I have rubbed them down with oils before. I don’t like it if the oil starts working back out of the stick

[arnisador]

Cook them? Can you be more specific (a 'recipe')?

[kilogulf59]

Oak, hickory, elm and a few other trees have been good for me. I sometimes cook them but often i just peel and use. If I even think they are starting to crack I throw them away.
I have never oil soaked them but I have rubbed them down with oils before. I don’t like it if the oil starts working back out of the stick



Elm? Interesting and you've had no problems with splitting?

BTW, by "cooking" do you mean an oil rub in a warm/hot oven?

[Sheldon Bedell]

No i have thrown some of them over the burner of my stove and cooked them or harden them over and open flame. Burnt more than a few more than i should off and stunk up the kitchen a few times, Caught a few on fire in the past also.
I have never put any in an oil bath and let the oil sink into them for a few days. i have heard of this technique but never tried it. Just sounded to messy to me because sooner or later you have to take it out of the bath and let it drip dry.
I have rubbed some of my stick with a good linseed oil and worked it into the stick but I don’t really like the feel when working out with them and having the oil start to work back out of the sick

[arnisador]

Ah, OK! I have 'roasted' them before...or, watched as Mr. Hartman did it for me, at least!