A nice gift for an Eagle Scout award is a hiking stick that has an Eagle's head carved and attached to the top of the stick. Carve the stick from a dead aspen tree about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The stick should be about 53 inches long. Look for aspen groves around where you live and you should find some sticks straight enough to shape into a hiking stick. Cut the knobs off of the dead tree and shave the bark off using a draw knife. Carve a grip into the stick starting 4 inches down from the top using a Dremel tool. Make ten grooves spaced about a 1/2 inches apart using a sanding disc attached to the Dremel tool. Drill a 1/4 inch hole just above the grip. This hole is to attach a piece of leather that will go around the hand when the scout is hiking with the stick.

Look for a picture of an Eagle that has a side view or profile. I use a Bald Eagle for the head of the stick. Carve the head from a piece of basswood. The block of wood should be 1.5 inches thick, 2.5 inches tall and 3 inches long. Draw the side view on the block of wood and use a band saw to carve out the profile. Draw a line down the center of the stick starting from the back and up through the center of the head down through the beak. Shape the Eagle's head using the center line to proportion the head and the beak using a dremel tool with a sanding disc. You may wish to purchase some different size bits for removing the wood.

Take your time and develop your artistic talent. Use a wood burning pen to burn in the eyes and the feathers. Again, don't be afraid to use your imagination. You might want to practice burning eyes and feathers on a piece of basswood before doing your Eagle. Sand the stick and the Eagle's head using coarse and fine sand paper. Wood burn the scout's name and the date for the award into the stick below the grip. Apply the sealer first and sand when dry. I use Deft sanding sealer as it dries fast. Sand both of these with fine sandpaper before attaching the head to the stick. Attach the head to the stick using a 1/4 inch piece of threaded steel. Drill a hole in the bottom of the head and the top of the stick. Screw the piece of threaded steel ( 1.5 inches long ) into the head and then into the stick. Apply some epoxy to the bottom of the head before attaching the head to the stick. When the epoxy is dry use some sandpaper to clean up any epoxy that has dripped around the sides below the head. Two coats of Deft polyurethane finish will be applied to the stick.

One helpful hint is to attach a small hook to the bottom of the stick so you can hang it by the hook while it is drying. Aspen wood is excellent to use for hiking/walking sticks. Each stick is different and there are beautiful variations in the grain. I prefer to keep my walking sticks rustic and not perfectly round. The crooks and turns that you sometimes discover in dead aspen give the walking stick so much character.

Over the years, as I have observed people walking or hiking with sticks, most have been machined on a lathe or they are made of metal. I have made a number of sticks for Scouts who have received the honor of Eagle Scout. It has been very gratifying and I know from their remarks that they will cherish their hiking stick. I would be glad to provide you with tips and assistance if you desire to make a stick. I will be writing a series of articles on carving different kinds of walking sticks and also explain how to make a cane. Happy Carving!