Leo Gowan: The Craft of Stickmaking (Hardcover, Crowood Pres)
Hardcover, 96 pages
Published by Crowood Pres.
The traditional craft of stickmaking is "popular" in the truest sense—the necessary skills can be acquired without too much difficulty, the tools are minimal, and the materials are readily available. This complete guide, which will appeal to novice and craftsman alike, ranges from the basic techniques through to the carving of intricate handles. Covering a wide variety of raw materials and types of stick, The Craft of Stickmaking is illustrated throughout with clear photos and drawings. Leo Gowan, a professional stickmaker, is also the author of Stickmaking.
It’s an interesting read, much of it focuses on designing and shaping the crook from various material. I would have enjoyed more on the lore of stick making, but from a practical viewpoint, this book is not bad. It covers most of what I already practice as a stick maker, but the detail on the individual crook making methods is interesting. A useful handbook to have at one's side.
