Finishing a stick into a walking stick

[Zoe Girl]

I found the perfect hiking stick for my grandbaby, it has some bark that needs to be removed. It also needs to be smoothed out. In area it is pretty dry. I dont know what to use on to make a nice walking stick finish. Any experts?

[dado potato]

Do you mind if the method would involve petrochemicals and solvents?

[tiranda]

Don't know if, a year late, this matters but here is something I found:

"You can also make a homemade stain—one recipe I brewed made the wood look old and beautifully antique. Just place a handful of fine-grade steel wool in a glass jar, fill to cover with apple cider vinegar and add a pinch of salt. Tighten the lid and allow the mixture to sit for at least 24 hours, or even longer if you prefer a darker stain. Apply the liquid to the wood with a cloth or brush. My homemade stain turned the pine pallet wood dark brown, cost only pennies, and was relatively safe to handle compared to its chemical-laden competitors."

The Intrepid Woman’s Guide to Van Dwelling by Jess Ward, 2015, Kindle location 1023.