My latest Hiking Staff

Mossyhorn

Mossyhorn

Enlightened Rogue
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I just finished this stick up a few days ago. It's Black Locust that was coated at the ends with varnish and cured for about 2 years. I used a gray stain and sealer. The handle wrap is fine leather and provides a comfortable grip. I need to take some outdoor shots because you just can't see the true colors in these photos. My next project is a stout Osage Orange piece that has cured for about 3 years. That will have a clear finish, so the wood will show it's magic when it ages.
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I think locust is great choice. Locust fence posts seem to last forever.
 
mossyhorn, what are you using to protect the 'foot' of the walking sticks? I treated my old hawthorn stick with spar urethane and hope this will protect from weather (any further information you could add would be most welcome), but I am concerned about the constant abrasion to the foot.
 
I use a rubber foot that's made for a chair leg. They have all different sizes at Lowe's. Here's a stick that I made awhile back. You can see the rubber foot on the bottom. When they start to wear out, I use black shoe goo that is made to repair running shoes.
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mossyhorn,

Thanks for that ... including the tip re: black shoe goo :)
 
Wow, that's a great looking staff. Hopefully you will share the Osage when done as well. :thumbup:
 
I have made my own walking sticks for some 40 years. Still using one that is about that old. I made that one from kiln dried Ash. To protect the foot, I drill a pilot hole, and sink a 4 inch stainless steel screw. Then I use a Dremel tool to cut off the head and grind off the threads. About half an inch of sharpened steel remains.
 
Mannlicher, ... a pick could be useful for extra traction in the wet and especially along with my ice cleats in winter. Thanks for this description. My aluminum extendable stick has a combination foot but it simply does not have the same feel or the top weight of the hawthorn. I find the weight/balance of the stick compliments the gait and makes for an easy walk.
 
I finally got around to finishing the Osage Orange stick. I want it to age naturally and get golden brown. I used Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil and finished up with gun stock wax. I'll add a hemp handle wrap later on. It's a great stick, but is pretty heavy. I take a 7 mile hike several times a week and I noticed the extra weight over the others. I'm not complaining because it's fairly straight for Osage and doesn't have any cracks. Over 2 years of curing and a clear plastic wrap saw to that.

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Next is one that I made out of a good piece of Holly that I rescued from a wood chipper. I used tung oil so the extra white natural wood would show through. I finished that with gunstock wax as well. I made adorn it with carving or wood burning some day. It is a real joy to use as it's plenty stout, buy is light in weight.

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I will have to take a picture of my oldest.

A big thick vine oak I made when I was a kid. Going on 24 years ago?
 
I like to find the ones with vines growing around them. They look fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of yours.
 
How did you cure the Osage? I have been searching for a Osage staff to buy, but I guess I'll have to make one.
 
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