r/Wandsmith • u/Legitimate_Voice6041 • 22h ago

Woodworking (practical) Let's talk length...

What do you find is the ideal finished length, including any pommel or tip adornments? Mine at times either feel too stubby or too lanky.

Just looking for opinions.

11 Upvotes

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7

u/MysticKei 16h ago

When I made my first wand under the instruction of a fellow coven member, the ideal wand was the length from the crook of the elbow to either the base or tip of the middle finger and the average thickness of the thumb. The only exceptions I saw were the wood spoon of some kitchen witches and mini-wands made of metals or crystals to fit in the palm of the hand.

5

u/AkumaBengoshi Wandmaker 21h ago

I usually shoot for 14 inches, but it varies depending on design.

5

u/AWandMaker Experimental Wandmaker 21h ago

A lot will depend on the design of the wand, and weight distribution.

If the pommel is heavy, then the tip end needs to be a bit longer to counter balance and keep the center of mass near the front of the handle. If the whole thing is thin, then it is entirely up to you.

I usually start out longer than needed (tip heavy) until I get the handle end done, and then shorten the tip until I get the balance point where my pointer and thumb naturally grip.

4

u/Jallis370 Wandmaker 20h ago

At max, 20 inches. I base my measurement on the lower arm length, from the tip of the elbow to the tip of the finger, with a variable down to the start of the hand. I always start with the measured max length and whittle it down based on balance and looks.

I consider shorter wands as travel sized with their own arm measurements.

3

u/NotGray88 20h ago

14-15 inches is about right for an adult, although i imagine the ones used in the early HP books are shorter since they were kids

1

u/emrysthearcher 8h ago

I'm not convinced JK knows how long an inch is. McGonagall's is 9.5 inches, and Hagrid's is the longest known wand length at 16 for a half giant.

3

u/equatorialbaconstrip 17h ago

Totally depends on the wand and what the art wants to be. Ive some that are about 15 inches and others that are the size of a pen.

2

u/Bohica55 14h ago

Iā€™m find most my wands are around 14ā€-16ā€. I was told it should be about the length of your forearm.