W elcome to the Tacoma Walking Stick Co, my name is Kirk Zenkner. I am a Pacific
Northwest artist, craftsman and owner of the Tacoma Walking Stick Co.

    I

n 1989 I spent a considerable amount of time in and around Mount Rainier National Park. Two paintings I completed during this time, Tacoma Mother of Rivers and Wellspring illustrate the natural beauty that inspired me to purchase an old homestead      complete with a 1920’s era gas station just outside the national park entrance.
     I subsequently converted the old gas station into a gift shop and frequently had customers
     ask if I sold walking sticks. I crafted half a dozen walking sticks that all sold in one day.
     So it began.

    H

aving success in a number of arts and craft shows over a period of years I gained
entry into the 1998 Best of The Northwest Arts and Crafts Show in Seattle Washington.
     Following a successful show, the idea of a walking stick company began to take shape.
     Today we have select retail accounts around the country.

  I

find all of my sticks in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, harvesting on both public and
privately owned lands. Selecting and harvesting the sticks is done by hand using a bow
  saw & pruning shears. The selection
  process is one of the most important
  aspects of my business.
      Conformation and balance, bark
  quality, wood density and other
  factors all play an important
  role in whether a given stick makes
  the grade.
      After harvesting, the sticks are
  placed in a cool dry storage area up
  to two years depending on the type
  of wood and the size of the stick.
  The next stop is a climate controlled
  drying room where they remain for
  several more months. Each stick is
  screened for its moisture content,
  making certain it is ready to be
  worked.
      Once in the shop the sticks are
  individually cut to exact size.
  Each is then shaped individually by
  hand using a variety of tools and
  techniques. Following several steps
  in the shaping process each is finally
  brought to a fine 220 grit hand
  sanded finish.

  

 T

he sealing and coating process offers the most comprehensive finish I believe you’ll find
on a walking stick. Each walking stick is sealed by submersion with the final coats being
applied by hand, providing an exterior grade waterborne polyurethane crystal clear finish
        offering UV protection against sun, water, sea spray and chemicals.

    M

y "Take a Hike" series offers several styles of beautifully hand crafted sticks and canes The "Wildlife" series allows me to bring my fine art skills as an artist into my work as a craftsman of walking sticks.

    A

s owner, artist and craftsman of the Tacoma Walking Stick Co. I am committed to the standards of artistry and workmanship that define the term “handcrafted“.

                                Enjoy your Tacoma Walking stick, its made to last a lifetime.

                                                      Sincerely,
                                                 ~ Kirk J. Zenkner~



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To view some of Kirks paintings, click on the art gallery label.

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