I should note that my experiments with the dry wood weren't a total wreck. The machete actually followed the curves of each stick pretty well for a foot or so. I suspect it hit a knot or something, which deflected it up to the surface of the wood.
I hacked down a slender green branch today - off of a Rose of Sharon shrub. Bushes are, if I recall correctly, wood-y, but not wood. But it's growing in my yard, and so legal for me to bend, fold, spindle or mutilate as I please.
This went much better! I split the 24-30" stick from one end to the other; I'd say it was maybe 1/2"-3/4" at the base and 1/4" at the tip. Each half bent away from the blade like a cartoon character's hair being split by a sharp sword. I wonder if the 'organic cord' wrapped around the original was a way of clamping it as the glue dried? It's going to need it.
I took it upstairs and got out the wood chisels. What a mess. I removed some material - without destroying anything, even! - but there were little shreds of wood fiber getting everywhere. I don't know if this is a function of: this is a shrub; this is green; I have cheap chisels. I haven't thrown the sticks out, but I am setting them aside as I look for a hardwood wand.
(Speaking of wands - I remembered that Harry Potter wands are also wood, which seems like it would have to be split - maybe hollowed slightly? - to accommodate the various hairs and feathers and whatnot that go into them. Interesting!)
I am also wondering if maybe I shouldn't do a poem or story (dead tree edition, if this is a static A&S competition) rather than a seiðr staff. I mean, that would be the smart thing if I wanted to potentially win. But but but I can document a magic wand. I kinda want to do that.
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