Cane making, I need help

[Nolatoolguy]

Long story short my grandpa just got a hip replacement an now having both knees replaced. He is almost always with a cane.

anyways

I got to thinking what if I made a cane for him with a hammer shaped handle(he is a longtime carpenter an woodworker) I have saw similar ones before. However I have no idea how to go about doing this myself.

Heres what I was gonna do

1-trace out a hammer head an long handle at a comfortble height for him(I would call and ask). Make the handle stright but have subtle curves in the sides to make it look not so square an give it a softer look.
2- transfer it to wood and cut the rough shape out with the bandsaw. Then from there go in with a draw knife and spokeshave to finish the shaping procces.
3-Then stain and plolyourathane it. Or another finish not sure at his point, I will worry about that once its built.

However the more I think the more I get concerned. Is this even possible to do safely for him?

I know if the grain goes up an down the whole way the handle could easily snap as soon as it goes past the edge of the support. However if the grain goes sideways it could snap as it gets extended out an hits at a angle to the ground. The only way I can picture fixing this is doing a two piece cane an combining them with a peg in the handle an having the grain go two different ways. Am I just worrying to much or would it be fine all as one piece?

Also I was considering using a hard maple but not sure what wood is best.

Any suggestions, comments or concerns are appreciated.

[Papaw]

Sounds like a good project, Neil!
My wooden canes have the grain either going up and down or a twisted grain. I haven't made any canes myself except for simple ones made with Crepe Myrtle that I just used pretty much as is.
Others here will have better ideas than I have.

[Branson]

I think I would use ash for the stick.  It's hard and just a little springy.  Hickory, if you can find it, would be even better, and you could use it for the entire cane.

>I know if the grain goes up an down the whole way the handle could easily snap as soon as it goes past the edge of the support.

Attach the handle with a tight mortise and tenon joint -- just like hammer heads are attached to their handles.  Don't peg it on, as that would weaken the end of the stick.  This is the old way to make crutches, by the way.  It's strong.

Me, if I were to make one out of a single piece of wood, I'd look for a branch that grew nearly straight out from the tree.  The branch would make the stick, and a section of the tree where it grew out would make the handle.

[johnsironsanctuary]

How about carving a real hammer head out of some wood with a tight grain that won't split and then make the cane part like a hammer handle. I think that I would glue the head on with a dummy wedge of some sort. How about a real hammer head with a long handle. Kinda heavy, but muggers beware!

[scottg]

I would either carve a hammer head or use a real one (a small light head would be good)
 and attach either one the same way.
 Namely, square peg and a square hole.
 
 You are right, the stick needs its grain running up and down the shaft.
 The head's grain goes perpendicular to that.
If you try to make it all one piece the hammer part will want to snap off since you will have short grain in the head.

  If you can find a straight branch and cut it where it attaches to a log, taking a little of the log in the process you can use that.
  Where the branch meets the trunk is crotch grain, and its -very strong-.
  You can carve a hammer head of that and it'll hold up to probably anything.

 I have seen a number of saw handle canes (pretty big and clunky looking) but never a hammer head cane.
 I like it!
  yours Scott
   

[KeepinOldBolts]

A quick Google images using "double sided mallet" brings up lots of ideas for a smoother handle (and easily identifiable) for attaching to a cane. Depending on the image, it still would relate to a traditional carpenters metal hammer head.

My 2c....

[Nolatoolguy]

Thanks guys

My orginal plan an current plan is still to carve out a hammer head an shape the stick part by hand giving it some slight curves just enough to soften the look but not take away from its strengh. These will be two different pieces combined.

I will probably practice on cheapo carving block of wood I have had for a while. That way, hopefuly if I mess up I wont be messing up on a expensive piece of finer wood.

I will keep you guys updated.

[amertrac]

If you need any ideas here are a few

[keykeeper]

I think I would use a real hammer head, and polish it up real nice and shiny. Then give it a clear coat to protect it. Make the cane part, and mount just like a regular hammer.

[64longstep/Brian]

I'm with Keykeeper...

[amertrac]

How abour useing a bevel square handle there are several ways to mount useing the pivit point of the square   bob w.

[Branson]

I think I would use a real hammer head, and polish it up real nice and shiny. Then give it a clear coat to protect it. Make the cane part, and mount just like a regular hammer.

Vulcan straight claw hammer heads are streamlined.  If you wanted to use a hammer head, I'd look for one of these -- easier on the hand without much, if any modification.

[Nolatoolguy]

A few hours in the shop and a few blocks of wood later my hammer head carving ability isnt to great.

I got a few ideas and none of them are sounding to great.

I was thinking about using a large wrecking bar claw as a handle. That one doesnt have to much of a hook to it.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/BOSTITCH-24-Spring-Steel-Wrecking-Bar/T22322

Or my other idea was getting a old thor d handle drill and taking all the guts out and just using the handle portion from that as a handle. Only thing with that I dont want it to be to bulky so I would just use the hanle part.

Or maybe I shouldnt make it so complicated and go with just a reall hammer head as a handle.

[KeepinOldBolts]

Whatever your choice is, you're sure to bring a smile to your Grandpa's face when he realizes you put the time and effort of your handiwork into it.

[anglesmith]

Nolatoolguy.
 I would try and go down the carved wooden hammer head track. I don't yet need a cane, but I have noticed people that do use them, hook them on to  tables or rest them against chairs etc and the cane often ends up on the floor! A steel hammer head cane would be  more prone to such behavior, and I wouldnt like it to fall on my toe or my tiled floor! Also a steel headed cane would probably be classed as a weapon over here, not sure about your situation? That being said I think that the idea to give and elderly carpenter (or blacksmith!) a hammer handled cane is brilliant.
Graeme