A gift Idea for a hiking buddy of mine. Opinions suggestions welcome.

[adam0321]

well i have a buddy I hike with all the time. A few weeks ago on a hike in the GA hills he broke the hiking stick he was using. He likes natural things. So I did not want to get him a trekking pole. Any thoughts on what to improve on. It's my first one.

guess his name?

And we are both avid divers so i did not want him forgetting his roots.

And a little inside joke

Like I said beat it up it's my first one. I have no idea what kind of wood it is.

Moderators, if this is int he wrong section i apologize and please move.

 

[Scott Free]

Looks like you have everything covered. Maybe you could fire-harden the tip?

 

[blindhogg]

That thing kicks ass he will love it.
Cw

 

[stabman]

Useful and personalized.
He should like it.

 

[adam0321]

Thank you, Now my wife wants one. I tried to harden the bottom with a torch and placed wraps on both the top and bottom to prevent splitting. I went back and forth with staining but i figured the natural look was better.

 

[Gollnick]

The other option would be to wrap the tip with a couple-inch-wide band of metal. It does sort of push the all-natural theme, but not much.

It is, however, a beautiful thing and I suspect your friend will love it.

 

[brizbane]

That is a cool hiking stick, alot a nice touches. I would recommend one of these brass tips as I have used them on my sticks. Good for warding off the occasional bear, mountain lion,ha ha.

Seriously, a good item for any animal/human encounter.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,250,43243&p=58762