Walking stick

[Wdcarver55]

I’m working on a walking stick for a friends Dad and wanting to leave as much of the bark on it as I can.
What could I use to coat it to keep it from chipping it off easily?

Thanks in advance

[Merle Rice]

The Sticks and Canes that I leave some Bark on I just put on some good Coats of Poly U . I pretty much Soak it . Seems to do the Job. Merle

[Wdcarver55]

Thanks Merle

[Randy]

Like Merle I will poly some sticks, depens on the bark. Sicks with a thin bark like hawthorn or holly and others the bark will hold up a bit better than the thicker barks. On a thicker bark I use tung oil first. A good coat with a soft brush, I let it sit for a 1/2 hour then blot off any execess and use a soft brush to clean out any low areas with build up. Let the oil cure. Depending on temp and humidity this can take up to a couple of weeks. Then I fallow with a couple of coats of poly. This seems to help to keep or greatly slow the bark from drying out and pulling away from the stick.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Poly or varnish, spray or brush on!