Black Ops,
You asked about finishing the canes....
Don't finish them while they're still green, the moisture can't get out and the finish will turn cloudy. If the sticks are less than 2" in diameter they shouldn't split while drying. I forget what the proper moisture level should be before finishing but letting then dry for a month or two should be OK.

I don't think lacquer is tough enough for a cane. several coats of boiled linseed oil or a tung oil finish are good ... and renewable. Otherwise use a varnish, oil based gives you that nice yellowish tone, the water-based varnishes are completely clear, polyurethanes are too plastic looking.

Hand work is good ... power tools are too darn noisy .. maybe that's why I can't hear when my wife calls. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good luck,
Brian