Good Quality Hiking Staff?

S

SwatMC

Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
69
Hello,
This is not really knife related, but close enough.

I have used a 5 foot rattan staff for hiking and it has been great. Recently, it has been cracked and I've decided to retire it.

So I am wondering if anyone would recommend a really good quality hiking staff that can also be used to knock some heads in a worst case scenario.

Cold steel used to offer a wax wood staff, but not anymore.

I was also considering graphite or some kind of synthetic material, but we'll see.

I want to stay away from telescopic sticks because i think they might break if I have to hit someone over the head with it.

So any thoughts or suggestions would be awesome.

Thanks!
-Mike
 
You might try a replacement push broom handle. I have made several from these. Very strong, weight is not bad and they are quite inexpensive. The diameter seems to be about right for me and the length is perfect. I am not sure of the species of wood, but the ones I have used carved well. Plus you can go through the pile at the hardware store and find a straight one with good straight grain.

Hope this helps,

Paul
 
I made mine from an old broken oak stair rail. Tough as nails, hard as iron, and, since I like them a bit longer than most folks do, plenty of wood to work with. :thumbup::D:thumbup:

My walking stick could serve as a cudgel in a pinch. :p
 
I could move this from the General Knife Discussion to Gadgets & Gear, but I think Wilderness & Survival Skills will get you the audience with the most experience in hiking staffs. The topic comes up often enough. :thumbup:
 
+1 on the broom handle. I usually go to a "real" lumber store and get a piece of oak, ash or hickory and carve it myself. This is absolutely the most expensive option. You'll never find a stick that fits your hand as well as one that got sanded into it's final shape BY your hand, not to mention you get to pick exactly the stain, oil, polish or lacquer you want.

I've used sticks as makeshift levers, helped snakes off the trail, strongly suggested to wild dogs they find dinner elsewhere, and even had to make a point with a wild boar once -- never wanna have to do that again. Pigs are just vicious, man.

I loves me a good stick. :-) However, in this day and age, if you think you're going to have to deal with belligerent men, might I suggest that a quarterstaff perhaps isn't the best option, Friar Tuck? :-)
 
This site has a few different options if you feel like making one yourself. They have a lot of medallions for dressing it up and a couple of different tip options if just a plain rubber tip isn't your "cup of tea".
 
Some of the best I've ever had, and or seen came from just walking in the woods and looking at fallen branches, some had to be cut or trimmed, but most stayed in the shape and condition I found them in......I thought that's where all walking sticks came from, didn't know anyone would pay for a stick:D......kidding of course.

But seriously, the woods is where I go when I need one, and they're fun to look for.
 
My wife bought me one from a company, called Whistle Creek, about 5 years ago for my birthday. It is hickory, and has been many miles with me. A very good friend!
 
thundermoon said:
I thought that's where all walking sticks came from, didn't know anyone would pay for a stick:D.......
Click to expand...

:) Yep, neither would I, until I moved to a place where hardwood trees are fairly scarce. Ferns and conifers sure do smell pretty, not so great for long-term wood products.
 
I can second aikiwood. He's a great guy to work with too, I've known him from another forum for quite some time. Kinda pricey, but unless you loose it you won't need another . Some are simply stunning works of art.
 
I pick up good sticks all the time while out in the woods and shelter belts. Many kinds of wood will work. I trim them up and sand them down and put stain or Linseed oil on them. I have dozens and dozens of them in the Garage. I need to use one all the time because of a balance problem. I also have a couple telescoping ones for carrying in the vehicles.

Some of the fruit tree limbs are very light and very strong. I like them about the right length to come up to the arm pit or the top of my shirt pocket.
 
I got one from Barrie at www.downeastwalkingsticks.com He's a nice man and the product is excellent. I went with a "staff" and have been pleased with it. Getting one was an indulgence since most of my life I just used what I found on the trail, but his site made it fun to pick one out and he's fun to talk with too. Worth a look.
Steve
I forgot to mention I got one of his sectional staffs, easy to take apart and toss into the back of a car.
 
For hiking usually I am using a Wilderness Walkers Hickory Hiking Stick (about 58"):

http://stores.ebay.com/Wilderness-Walkers_Hiking-Sticks_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ12QQftidZ2QQtZkm

They are extremely nice people and ship very fast. Unlike many sellers, they carefully kiln dry the saplings and the sticks are available in several species and surface smoothness grades, depending on the species (e.g. the shagbark hickory ones are somewhat rougher due to the outer bark layer). They will try to accommodate your special requests (length, diameter, smoothness) if possible. These sticks are nicer and cheaper than the average Whistle Creek sticks, which are not bad either.
I have several of their hickory and dogwood sticks and am extremely pleased with them. I think they would be stronger than any rattan stave available.

The broom sticks I have seen in local hardware stores (Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's) are not made of North American Hardwood anymore. They are imported from Indonesia or Brazil, the latter ones being the sturdier and harder woods. I doubt they would be stronger than the hickory saplings, and their price will be close to the above mentioned hiking sticks.
 
Brazos stick company gets my vote http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/?first=1

For thumping heads, it gets no better than the ironwood free form stick. For $23 you get a STOUT walking stick. One word of caution, you pay for it in weight.

Personally I hike with the "extra size" straight hitchhiker ash: http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/extrasize-straight-hitchhicker-ash/ Good combination of stoutness and weight. The hitchhiker head is shillaleah-ish, and would really knock someone for a loop.
 
Razor said:
My wife bought me one from a company, called Whistle Creek, about 5 years ago for my birthday. It is hickory, and has been many miles with me. A very good friend!
Click to expand...

I've got a couple from Whistle Creek. Nice sturdy sticks. I have one for myself, one for my son and I just gave one to my pastor.
 
I make mine from 1.25 - 1.5" oak dowels. PLENTY stout for sweeping people off their feet or simply clubbing them on the skull, or my favorite, a solid rib breaking jab.
 
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