Walking Sticks

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,494
Who uses one?

I picked this guy up on the trail a few days ago. I liked the size and that it has a few notches where I would use it for a tent pole.

I stained and sealed the wood, and wrapped about 15' of paracord up top for the handle.

The bottom has 3' of paracord wrapped tightly and then dipped in polyurethane. I'm hoping this will keep the bottom from splitting.

The extra piece is a 4' section that I can easily untie. It will be used for lashing up a shelter or just to have some spare cord handy. I tried to keep everything simple.

What do you guys use?

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Nice walking stick bro. I don't use a walking stick--still debating if I should get hiking poles or walking stick. Not to hijack your thread but does anyone use just a plain or modified tool handle, the kind they sell at the hardware store for replacing shovels and rakes etc? I figured those wood tool handles last a long time and are fairly resilient to the elements.
 
That looks great, what kind of wood is it ?

I keep toying with the idea of buying or making one myself !!!!
 
No idea what type of wood. It is a dried hard wood that wasn't rotted and I liked the size, so I snagged it.

I haven't done much with a walking stick either, but I figured I'd give it a try. Not bad for free!
 
I use hiking poles. Saves a lot of wear and tear on my knees and back.
 
I've always used a 5 1/2 foot rattan pole. Had it for years. I put a covering of "Sho-Goo" on the bottom, about 1/2" thick on the base, and thinner going up about 8"-10" from the bottom to protect from rocks and keep from splitting. It began life as a 6 ft. martial arts 'bo' and has lasted me about 30 years of trail walking and bushwacking. Lightweight but strong enough to take my full weight plus a 50lb back without any strain, yet it feels as if it's flexible so it doesn't feel like a dead pole.

Stitchawl
 
If you are so-minded, you can trim and burn out the husk from a shotgun shell and use that as a bottom cap. Either tack or screw it tight through the primer hole.
 
Kismet said:
If you are so-minded, you can trim and burn out the husk from a shotgun shell and use that as a bottom cap. Either tack or screw it tight through the primer hole.
Click to expand...

Good thought, I have tons of them kicking around too.
 
Kismet said:
If you are so-minded, you can trim and burn out the husk from a shotgun shell and use that as a bottom cap. Either tack or screw it tight through the primer hole.
Click to expand...

I use a rubber chair leg or crutch tip on mine, buy it at a hardware store. Through the center of that I crank in a 1/4" hex-head lag screw, leaving the head proud. It holds well on a slippery rock and digs into ice. This also makes it into a more formidable defensive tool.

I cut my sticks out of saplings, peel them, carve them, whatever, because I like the rustic look, but a nice ash shovel handle would work very well.
 
Here is an apricot stick, more like a cane that I made for a friend.
MikeysStick.jpg

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I have two sticks of my own, both come up above my elbow and below my shoulder.
The larger of the 2 has some cabin fever embellishments.
stickinlay.jpg

The other is just plain, but I don't think that'll last thru the coming winter.

Many coats of linseed oil on them. No protection for the bottoms and no splitting.
Both are at least 12 years old.

If I don't bring one, I'll pick one up.
I'll leave it at the trail head on the way out for someone else.
One hunting season the same stick was at the trail head, but left in different spots, all hunting season.
Some like minded folks :D
 
aw man i got a few sticks. I use 1.5" thick oak dowels. I ussually take my propane torch and burn the outside in random patterns, then sand down. After sanding super smooth i soak them for months in a piece of capped off (bottom only) ABS pipe filled with tung oil. I then remove them and use 0000 steel wool to rub in the excess tung oil and to polish the wood to a smooth sheen. I wipe then dry with a rag then let them dry for a bit.

For the bottom i use a copper pipe cap, heat up and pounded on with epoxy inside the cap. I sometimes put a crutch rubber on the bottom.

Wrap with 2mm hemp cord, soak in HOTSTUFF cryocynalate glue.

Makes a very formidable defensive weapon, and a very stout walking stick. I have used one between two trees as a anchor for a rope so i could scramble down a steep bank.

pics soon
 
I have a few, but I like my collapsible one the best. I can hike better with it collapsed and then open it up when I need it for steadying myself to go down hills.
 
I haven't made one for myself yet, haven't found the right stick/sappling. Currently I find something suitable at the beginning of a hike, then leave it there at the end.

I did make one for my wife though, wood unknown, 550 cord wrap/lanyard, copper pipe cap epoxied and pinned to the bottom:

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Beautiful work guys!
:thumbup:

Anybody have good links or pdf "how-to's" on walking stick making?
I've only made one it was a dead tree (not rotted) that was still standing and well dried out.
I cut it down cut it to length let it dry out for a few months (close to a year i guess).
Then i sanded it smooth and finished it, it turned out pretty nice.

Last year i cut a new stick it was fairly straight but unfortunately it has kinda warped/bowed as it dried.

I just acquired two more very straight sticks and want to avoid the bowing/warping problem.

Is it best to immediately strip off the bark or leave it on while it dries out?

Any suggestions/recommendations?
 
If I remember correctly it is best to leave the bark on, and wax the ends to prevent them cracking as they dry.
Don't quote me on that though.
 
if oyu have lots of time.....after you shape and sand the stick, slather on lard na dbury it under a manure pile for 6 months to a year.....it gets a nice black hard patina. Clean with turp and linseed oil and then let dry and varnish.
 
On the whole not for me I like hands free. I also find them an encumbrance when venturing from footpaths. I do sometimes have a 2.5' twatting stick with me. The name implies the purpose, and it is also used for steering dogs, assorted poking at things, and held out in front to catch the morning face full of spider webs before they get to me. Mostly I don't bother and just grab a random twig for as long as I need it then bin it off.

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