Walking stick / hiking stick / hiking staff - What do you use?

[Railsplitter]

Made by a friend of my wife’s boss. I just gave it to her for her birthday and she loves it.

 

[DirtDawg]

Made by a friend of my wife’s boss. I just gave it to her for her birthday and she loves it.
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That's a beauty. I like that it was left natural, and not turned into a snake.

 

[Railsplitter]

That's a beauty. I like that it was left natural, and not turned into a snake.

Thank you. Although it was not the intent, it does kind of look like a snake but my wife is enamored with it nonetheless.

Here’s what it looked like with the vine removed and the bark still on it.

 

[DirtDawg]

Thank you. Although it was not the intent, it does kind of look like a snake but my wife is enamored with it nonetheless.

Here’s what it looked like with the vine removed and the bark still on it.
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I've yet to stumble onto a stick like that, but I keep looking.

 

[drj211]

My Dad’s been out in the woods and found a couple more…..

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I need to get one of those.

I've noticed a lot of places frown on my Louisville Slugger...

 

[GB940Rookie]

Question for you hiking stick aficionados.
I have a small maple tree that has died recently. The main trunk looks like it could make a nice hiking stick/staff. How should I go about processing this? Do I let it dry out with the bark still on it? Should I let it stay in the ground to dry, or cut it down now?

 

[Blue Sky]

My un-expert opinion is I would cut it now. Leave a good 6” or more on either end than the final piece to allow for the inevitable checks and cracks. You can trim it later.

If you want the bark off, do it now as well because it should come off easier. Store it as vertical as possible in a dry area for a while.

Weight it, and then every so often weigh it again. When it stops losing weight, it’s probably dry enough.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Question for you hiking stick aficionados.
I have a small maple tree that has died recently. The main trunk looks like it could make a nice hiking stick/staff. How should I go about processing this? Do I let it dry out with the bark still on it? Should I let it stay in the ground to dry, or cut it down now?
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In my humble opinion that stick would need shaving down, so cut it down, limb it, strip it of bark and do a rough shaping. Leave 6-10 inches on either end. Let it dry for 6-9 months and you can probably start final shaping.

 

[Drop bear]

I need to get one of those.

I've noticed a lot of places frown on my Louisville Slugger...

It's possibly also the facepaint

 

[plumberroy]

Today I am using a hickory staff that started as a shepherd hook that I cut off hook off and I wrapped a grip area with florescent pink Paracord. I had the pink and if it is on the ground I can see it

 

[drj211]

Question for you hiking stick aficionados.
I have a small maple tree that has died recently. The main trunk looks like it could make a nice hiking stick/staff. How should I go about processing this? Do I let it dry out with the bark still on it? Should I let it stay in the ground to dry, or cut it down now?
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Cut it now and trim all the branches off. Seal the ends with wax or heavy paint to keep checking to a minimum. You may have a nice slingshot or two at the upper branch splits.

 

[DirtDawg]

Question for you hiking stick aficionados.
I have a small maple tree that has died recently. The main trunk looks like it could make a nice hiking stick/staff. How should I go about processing this? Do I let it dry out with the bark still on it? Should I let it stay in the ground to dry, or cut it down now?
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I know I'm a bit late to reply here, but have you done anything with this yet? Great advice given here so far. You may also want to salvage a bit of the rootball in case you decide to do something ornamental on the top of it.

 

[Blue Sky]

For those of you that use a single stick on the trail, what lengths have you used and what do you find is the best for convenience and utility? I have another stick project in the works and can’t decide the final cut.

 

[DocJD]

For those of you that use a single stick on the trail, what lengths have you used and what do you find is the best for convenience and utility? I have another stick project in the works and can’t decide the final cut.

If you need to maneuver up and down steep grades , a longer stick is helpful .

Mine is about up to my shoulder height .

 

[G8R8U2]

6' bamboo staff bought at the Hobby Lobby, dried, and coated with 7 coats of shellac. Adorned with Gamma tennis racquet tape and parachute cord. The top hollow section is just large enough hold some fish hooks and line, and a very small folder. Extremely lightweight despite all the utility... and decent quicksand insurance.

 

[knarfeng]

For those of you that use a single stick on the trail, what lengths have you used and what do you find is the best for convenience and utility? I have another stick project in the works and can’t decide the final cut.

I'm 68" tall. The top of my handhold point on the stick is roughly 48". For me, a good overall length for a stick is ~ 60".

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

I have a Dale's hiking staff and I like it alot.

 

[Blue Sky]

I'm 68" tall. The top of my handhold point on the stick is roughly 48". For me, a good overall length for a stick is ~ 60".

Very similar conditions to me, I think I’ll leave it a little longer that planned since I am often in a hilly area too. Thank you!

 

[BlackMagyck9942]

My Dad is constantly searching for what he calls, “sticks with character!” Here’s some of the many, many that he has given me over the years. He’s in his middle 80s now, but still gets out there once in a while.
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Wowwwwwww Luv These are Gorgeous and they be got plenty of character. Love them all! I would have fun adding crystals, leather, metal, feathers and anything else I'd find in Nature to them! Very Beautiful pieces indeed