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How to Make a Carved Escrima Stick

An Escrima stick is a traditional martial art weapon from the Philippines. Making a carving on the Escrima stick adds a personal artistic effect. Carving is a relief sculptural technique in which the background is removed, leaving a raised effect in the foreground. The artist uses a chisel to make a rough outline and then adds details with a carving knife. A carved sculptural relief is less fragile than other carving methods, which is especially important with this martial art stick.

Things You'll Need

  • Stick
  • Saw
  • Sand paper
  • Clamps
  • Chisel
  • Rubber mallet
  • Carving knife
  • Stain or paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Varnish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate a stick suitable for an Escrima, such as an oak dowel, a broomstick handle or a stick from the woods. Trim by sawing it to an appropriate size, around 30 inches, and sand until smooth.

    • 2

      Sketch a design for the carving you want on the stick, or find an image to use as a reference.

    • 3

      Place the stick on a table and secure it with a clamp to keep it in place.

    • 4

      Use a chisel and rubber mallet to create a rough relief outline of the design. A relief is a type of sculpturing in which you chisel out the background or an outline, which leaves the desired design.

    • 5

      Create details on the design using a carving knife. Adjust as needed with the chisel.

    • 6

      Go over the design with sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

    • 7

      Add color by using a stain or acrylic paint. Add a finisher such as a varnish to help protect it from the weather and wear and tear.

Sculpture

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