New Hiking Staff

westcoaster

westcoaster

Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
129
I harvested this Douglas Fir stick, actually an immature tree, and it has been sitting in my shop drying out until this past weekend. Hit it with the sand paper, draw knife and Dremel to get the shape and rounding of the top done. Two three wrap turks heads and a whole mess of whip finishing. Roughly calculated I have 90 feet of the thin black wax cord between then two turks heads. Thats (180 wraps x 6 inches per wrap)/ 12 inch per foot. Plenty for any survival situation and functional as grip. The staff it self is heavy enough to stand up to abuse and potential animal defense but nimble enough not to be cumbersome. Probably 5.5 feet tall or so.

Any other W&SS guys out there carry a staff or stick in the bush. Post up them pic's if you got them.

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Hey westcoaster, I also use a hiking stick. Ron Hood makes a case for using a hiking stick in one of his videos and I heartily agree with him. Especially useful in slippery, icy conditions. I made a ice spike for the bottom of mine

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and used it for the first time when Ipaddlemyowncanoe came down for a visit.

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I also have a 1/4-20 bolt inserted crosswise in the bottom of the stick. This I use for grabbing and pulling down saplings for engines for lifting pole snares and pulling them down to reach ripe fruit (cherries, etc.) It works very well for this purpose.

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It can also be used to hang the walking stick on a branch and use it to hang clothing, gear etc. so you don't have to lay them down in the wet (rain or snow).

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I normally use bamboo because it's light but strong.

Doc
 
i use a pair of home made ones to help my balance on steeper terrain and save my 32 yr old knees :D

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doc - every time i see someone with a bamboo staff, it always reminds me of that show with the guy with a hidden sword inside.
 
Twisted Hickory stick from Brazo's Walking Sticks. I love it :thumbup:

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Nice stick, westcoaster. That wrapping looks great :thumbup:
 
DOC-CANADA said:
What show is that?

Doc
Click to expand...

I'm guessing... Blind Fury with Rutger Hauer?


Nice poles folks; I like the ice spike!

I always had a pole when I was younger, mostly for poking at stuff and steep, scree-filled slopes. These days I use a couple of Pacerpoles to give my wrecked ankle extra help.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
What show is that?

Doc
Click to expand...

Might be Zatoichi the blind swordsman a japanese movie series seen occasionally on the artst film channel.

I use a 5' Dogwood staff for support and balance and would switch to osage orange when I find just the right piece.
 
Those are some nice Staffs. I typically just grab a stick along the way and toss it near trail head or burn it depending on length of hike or mood.
 
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Just finished this recently. 40' or so of cord. Adjustable length strap. Beech cut by my dad, stripped and treated with linseed
 
Man, hophornbean......you oughta be able to crack a rock with that stick if it has cured!! How heavy is it?

Doc
 
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