I was recently asked to make some hairsticks for a Celtic singer in Canada. I thought it might be a nice idea to describe and show how the hair sticks were made.

 

First select the wood

In this instance a large Yew log is being used from which a number of hair sticks, celtic knots and celtic pendants can be produced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The log is then cut lengthways to reveal the beautiful colours of the wood on the inside.

 

 

 

 

 

Strips are cut from the wood from which the hair sticks will be turned and carved.

The strips are approximately 12 inches long, 2 inches wide and three quarters of an inch thick.

I try to get as much variation of colour in each strip as possible.  If anyone else is going to do this please note that the sap wood is a lot softer than the heartwood and makes carving the Celtic Knot later particularly difficult.

 

 

 

The end on which the Celtic Knot will be carved is selected,  and a tenon is cut to approximately three eighths of an inch. 

It is critical at this point to ensure that the tenon is central to the rest of the blank.

If it isn't the Celtic Knot will be off centre and will end up too thin as you try to correct for the off centre position

 

 

 

 

The wood is now placed on the lathe and turning is commenced.   I have used an axminster chuck with the jaws removed to hold the piece at the headstock

It is essential that the tailstock is central to the piece of wood otherwise the pin will be off centre to the carving area.

Be very careful at this point because you can easily break the wood if you take too heavy a cut.

 

 

 

The pin is now starting to take shape.

It is now starting to become very fragile so be very careful with your skew chisel.

Make sure you have the correct length for the working pin.

Sand to finish the pin part and remove from the lathe

 

 

 

 

Once the pin is complete and sanded glue the Celtic knot template to the top.

Drill small holes and use the scroll saw to cut out the blank areas of the knot and you will be in a position to begin carving, as in the picture on the right.

 

 

 

 When the first side has been carved you need to carve the reverse side, sand and finish

 

 

And this is what it looks like when it is finished

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the finished object.