Friday 19 January 2018

Kinkycraft to the rescue?

So my canemaker is going to retire. How could he do that to me, well not only me he also works for a company much bigger than me and he's going to stop making for them too. What a rotter! Only joking, I like Alec and my first reaction when he told me was 'Are you OK, no health issues or anything?' No there aren't, he just wants more time for other things. It won't be until summer so he's giving me plenty of notice, he actually told me over the Christmas period.

 I've got time to find an alternative or try to. Not easy, I already know that from some tentative contact I've had with a paddle manufacturer in Germany and a spanking toys general supplier from India, who started off great guns but then when I got down to the nitty gritty and wouldn't place orders without seeing samples, went all quiet. Then I found, quite incidentally, a book I bought years ago called 'Kinkycraft' and I vaguely remembered a section on canes. I flicked the pages and sure enough there is indeed a section on how to make your own canes, I wondered if I could teach myself to make them, I mean I've got a few months. But then I read through the section, which I'll summarise:- 
  • Obtain rattan, must be the bendy type
  • Cut to length, they recommend 36"
  • Soak in water in bath for a day
  • Remove and hang up with weights to straighten out any kinks or place under heavy objects to do same
  • Dry off
  • Sand length to smooth nodes and round tip
  • Double coat with yachting varnish
  • And there you have it. One cane ready for use
What? Are they kidding? What about the curly handles how do I get those, or rubber handles or any sort of handles for that matter. And no way am I going to have a bath full of floating canes, P wouldn't be amused. I shall ask Alec if it's OK for me to increase my orders from him to build up a stockpile while I find a solution, that could extend me to, say, Autumn or even Christmas but it still isn't a long term solution. Panic stations:)

Have a fun weekend.

Ronnie
xx

14 comments:

Roz said...

Hi Ronnie, oh no! That is a shame. I Hope you are able to find an alternative supplier. I wouldn't relish making them myself either having read what's involved.

Hugs
Roz

an English Rose said...

Hi Ronnie, oh dear, no ideas and I wouldn't know where to start in making them either :(
love Jan, xx

Fondles said...

Yeah, I'm with Roz and Jan. Sounds like a lot of "doing". And you're right about the handles. Altho the ones they sell here have little plastic hooks at the end that you just kinda stick on i think.

(See if you can click on THIS LINK for an image)

Simon said...

Personally I prefer straight canes to those with the traditional schoolmasters curve but I assume you get the bend by by soaking the wood and bending it a round a form and fixing it there until it dries. It does seem like a lot of hassle which explains why they are so expensive for what is essentially a stick.

Graham said...

36 inch is a long cane that's 3 foot, would have thought more like 2 foot to 2 foot six, but guess these days we aren`t to an inch or six. When they are soaked with a weight on surly that means they are put into a long thin tube about 4 inch diameter, and a weight can be attached to the bottom, this will then mean you can still take a bath without you having to cane dodge whilst you are having your back washed.
God knows how you would put a curve on the handle. You must have to apply some heat, then maybe get a pipe bender. I know it works great on BSP tubing (without any heat), anyway I hope you get it sorted.
PS love reading your stuff, I found you though the Chross site

Eric51Amy49 said...

Who knew it was such a complicated process! Okay retirees who are sitting at home bored. Start soaking and bending that wood, varnish those stalks, and keep our girl in business!
Amy

ronnie said...

Roz - I'm going to try to make one and see how it turns out. Thanks.

Jan - I've found another contact so we'll see if any joy. Thanks.

Fondles - Handles are the most difficult. Thanks for the link but personaly I think they look more like fancy dress props than real canes.

Simon - Yes, the curly handles are soaked and bent. Been reading about them.

Graham - Hello. Thank you so much for saying. I thought 36 inches too long. Never thought about putting them in tubes. It's the handles that would be the problem.

Amy - As I said, I'm going to ask can I up my order and then I'm also going to ask if he would just do mine. As he is used to doing these, I don't think it would take much time out of his week, we'll see.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Hermione said...

I think there a re plenty of Youtube videos that will help you explore the craft. I once saw a very good one on making a flogger - sorry, don't have the link - but they would be easier than canes, and more fun to make. At least the bath wouldn't be occupied. You could make them in different colours, out of leather or vinyl.

Hugs,
Hermione

Katie said...

Hi Ronnie, :) Sorry to hear that your cane maker is retiring. I hope that you find a nice replacement soon. All of your packages/products look like very nice (not exactly the right term, but you know what I mean-lol) spanking implements! Love the red handles!

Wow! Sounds like making your own canes would be quite a lot of work. Fun that you are going to try though. Hermione has a fun idea- making floggers... Wish you well in your search! Have a great weekend! Many hugs,

<3 Katie xoxo

Rosie Jones said...

I hope you find a solution, Ronnie. Making them yourself sounds a lot of work.
Rosie xx

Aimless Rambling said...

I don't know about the rubber part but maybe Alec could help you with that. As for the bending, do it while the bamboo is wet - it is quite pliable when soaked through. Just buy a tin tub for soaking - used to weave baskets year's ago and that's what I did.

Don't know if that's helpful or not.

Ella said...

Seems that we are losing craftsmen every day. Sam does a lot of woodworking, and it is also difficult to find replacement parts for a lot of old equipment. The newer power tools are so cheaply made. Sam finally found someone with a used De Walt table saw when his gave up the ghost. The one he had belonged to his father, and we figured it was from the 1940's.

I will hope that you find a solution to your dilemma. Wonder if there is a publication that would take an advert? I do treasure the canes you sent me, and I will remember Alec whenever one comes out of the toy box.

Hugs Across the Pond,
Ella

Cat said...

Sorry to hear this, Ronnie. Like your idea of asking if he would continue to supply you as it wouldn't be that much time and you could work around his schedule. If all else fails, maybe you could go spend time with Alex and he could teach you. Oh and you could just get a stock tank and place it in a garage or shed to use for soaking rather than the tub. ;) Sending positive energy your way.

Hugs and blessings...Cat

ronnie said...

Hermione - Thanks. Never thought of Youtube. Floggers interesting but I don't want to stop supplying canes.

Katie - LOL. Know what you mean. I do like the idea of floggers. Thanks.

Rosie - Thanks. It does but I still might have a go. Thanks.

SG - That's an idea and useful, thanks. Alec uses Kooboo but I'm sure they would bend the same as bamboo. It's the handles that will be thee hardest. You're dark horse, weaving baskets.

Ella - Oh I do know what you mean, hardly any craftsman out there now and yes power tools so cheap to buy and not nearlly as good as the old solid ones. I hope you get many years use of your canes:) Thank you

Cat - I did think about asking Alec to teach me. I'll see what he says when I next speak with him. Thanks, good idea of a tank of sorts in the garage.

Love,
Ronnie
xx