Here’s my first cane using ancient Sinker Louisiana Cypress wood, and I’m in love with it! This cypress was recovered from the waterways of Louisiana and it sank 1570 years ago by carbon dating. But its growth was long and incredibly slow, the tree was several hundred years old at least when it died - definitely a tree alive at the time of Jesus Christ or a few hundred years before. It’s slow growth is obvious by the super tightly banded growth rings producing a gorgeous grain. Its time under water produced a darker wood color as it absorbed minerals from its surroundings. One things that’s remarkable about sinker woods is that the conditions were perfect for preserving the wood without decay so when its found it can be sawn into perfect usable timber. The divider on this cane has a few different pieces, the center is matching cypress but end-grain orientated towards the sides of the cane to show off its tight rings. The smaller, lighter pieces and pins are Jindai Keyaki wood, busied under a volcanic eruption in Japan over 2000 years ago - sinker wood of an even more exotic origin! And the thinnest layers in the divider are also cypress, the darker ones being end-grain oriented. Thought not technically a hardwood this cypress cane still has a respectable weight, not what you’d expect from a “softwood cane”. Its still lighter than most of my canes and feels easy to carry. Its sturdy and can be used daily by most anyone. Total length measured 38” and can be shortened to fit.

The last image is of a cypress log being recovered from under the water in Louisiana by the supplier.

M A T E R I A L S

Handle – Sinker Cypress from Louisiana

Dividers – Jindai Keyaki from Japan and Sinker Cypress from Louisiana

Shaft – Sinker Cypress from Louisiana

Rubber tip

Every Gillis Cane is a photographed original, you’ll always receive the exact cane in the images.