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The method I use to hollow out the stalk is to first
split it. Other people do it differently, I like to split, it gives me
more control over what the interior shape will do. The core of the
stalk consists of a very soft, piff, styrofoam-like material. Take a
sharp knife and insert it near the center of the stalk at the top as
shown in the first picture here. Then start to draw it down the length
of the stalk. It can be done much safer and easier if you use a mallot
to hammer the knife along the length. Make sure you place the opposite
end of the stalk against something sturdy and just hammer the knife
along the length of the stalk until you've gone all the way down to,
and through, the other end. Now take the knife to the opposite side of
the stalk from this first split and split it down the length in the
same manner. By splitting the stalk in this manner,
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instead of sawing, the split will tend to follow the grain. And since it follows
the grain when you reassemble the stalk the seam will be better hidden.
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