about Poplar

[Michael Hult]

I took a raw log of poplar and cut it into a square 2.5 x3". I then cut and carved it into a puzzle jewelery box. It was quite easy to work with and finished nicely.

[glenn bradley]

Hiking staffs.

I vote for Hickory. Good for items that need to be stiff while tolerating impact; like ax handles .

[Vaughn McMillan]

I vote for Hickory. Good for items that need to be stiff while tolerating impact; like ax handles .

That'd be my vote, too, followed closely by Ash.

[Frank Fusco]

Thanks guys. I have made staffs from hickory and one from Osage Orange.
I'm gonna make this one really ugly. The last two got into hands of relatives who begged me to let them keep them. I guess I'm flattered, or something. But, I still want a staff of my own.
Yes, my lathe is a 43 incher. But, the staff will have brass couplings for three 24" sections. I'll be going with hickory and a walnut or OO handle at the top. The handle will be threaded on with a matching tap on the side for resting a rifle.

[Brent Dowell]

When I used to go backpacking, I'd always pick up whatever stick I could find and do a little whittling/carving on it during the trip. Would leave it at the trail head for the next owner to find.

I do have one left from those days. I also have another I made from the center part of a christmas tree we had. I've been surprised at how well the pine has held up for that purpose.

[Chuck Thoits]

I have made them out of most any kind of wood I could get my hands on and would not hesitate to make one from poplar.
How ever my staff is maple and I have another stick of willow that is in the running to be mine along with a pair of chocolate ones.
Hmmmm me thinks I might just have a few to many sticks.

[Charlie Plesums]

Popular is often "taught" as a good secondary wood. I can usually buy paint grade maple (bad color, mineral stains) for about the same price, so I use cheap maple rather than popular as my secondary wood.

[Bruce Haugen]

I made a hiking staff of walnut strips and poplar, glued into a cross pattern (when seen from the end). Then I wrapped it in fiberglass and epoxy. It is light and strong as the dickens. There is a removable knob on top held on by an inset bolt that can also serve as a camera mount.

[Chuck Ellis]

I've only worked poplar as a turning wood, it's fairly light weight when dry, but not sure how much strength you would have in a stave.... would be light weight if you lug it around a bit. It's pretty wood when you get the greens and blue/blacks running through it. My walking staff is a saguaro rib that I picked up in Arizona about 17 or 18 years ago...