Dowel Rods Wood Sticks Wooden Dowel Rods – 1 x 48 Inch Unfinished Hardwood Sticks – for Crafts and DIYers – 10 Pieces by Woodpeckers

First, some context. I'm a major stick guy. I started my study and use of stick at about age 10 when I picked up a small dead willow trunk and started using it as a walking stick. I carved a handle into it, and even some symbolic runes to match the worm channels that were in the wood naturally. I'm 73 now and still own that stick; it's my oldest possession, and one of my most valued. I no longer use it for walking, but it's a treasured memory. Since that time, over a period of decades, I've not only owned many walking sticks (from high end collapsible carbon fiber mountaineering poles to laminated hickory staves (my current one is 51"), but have also gotten into Irish stick fighting, kali/escrima, and Jo staff. I learned early in life (as a smaller person living among bullies) that sticks are size equalizers. Often people won't even mess with a person carrying a stick. Being a smaller older person, I carry a walking stick (my hickory staff in my woods or a lighter 4' oak Jo staff in town) not only to help with stability (especially in Maine winters where snow and ice build up in snow pile drifts and nasty sidewalks), but also as a self-defense tool ... or at least one that I carry. Those sticks are my first line of defense. I purchased these sticks specifically to use as Jo sticks (which by definition, are right at 4' long and 1" diameter) and -- at least in town -- a walking stick. (Even though these came as a pair, and I finished both, I only carry one at a time.) I could tell right out of the box that they were quality. Both were straight -- at least straight enough for my needs; one was ever so slightly out of straight, but that was not an issue to me; if a stick or board is wood, it WILL warp a bit. As a biologist, I know that's just the nature of wood. But the quality of the wood, the general shape, the ends, the smoothness were all great. First thing I did is what I do with all new wooden sticks: some light sanding using 1500 grit paper (e.g., very, very fine grit), followed by three coats of boiled linseed oil over three days (apply; dry for 24 hours, sand lightly add another coat. Sand again lightly and put on a coat of shellac. Result? These are superb, and just what I needed and wanted. So do I recommend these? Yes, unequivocally. A fine product.

These were great, just as pictured. Correct length. Plenty thick.

Excellent product, wood is high quality, clean and smooth.

I needed some dowels that were consistent radial thickness along the entire dowel including the end. I'm familiar with the process for making dowels, so it seemed reasonable to expect 1" plus or minus some organic / humidity variation, but it should be fairly consistent. The ends are tapered at 63/64" for around 2" of length on all 5 of the dowels (which ok, I'll accept, that does make it easier to insert into tight holes, but they could have left it alone and let me sand it down if I needed that). Then radially, I have something I'm trying to press fit and then secure; as I slide it down the dowel, it goes wider, then narrower, then wider again. Based on how dowels are made, seems strange. Is it straight? ehhh, pretty straight, good enough - better than Home Depot's boomerang collection. I'd probably buy it again, especially for the convenience of the delivery, but I'd look around at alternatives first.

Good Wood. Smooth, uniformly made, no warping, and great for hanging signs, hanger, anything.

Making some open top tool boxes for some kids. Used this as the as the handle. Worked great and they were very true to their size. Use a 1" forstner bit to drill the holes in the wood. Since I made a lot of these kits order a large amount and cut to size.

I had three applications for these dowels so I ordered them three times and they worked perfectly each time. They are very straight and very smooth.

They fit perfect and just what I needed! I am really pleased with my purchase!