“To stick is to life” people underestimate the power of carrying a stick… Multipurpose tool. Thanks for sharing MR

Very wise to use a walking stick, especially when you live in an areas with a lot of venomous snakes 🐍

I've had mine for over 30 years. I bought it in West Germany when I was in the Army. It's got quite a few miles (and medallions) on it from the many organized Volkmarches I went on, plus every trek in the Alps throughout Switzerland, Austria, Southern Germany....and every camp out, trail walk and state park explore I've done since. She's propped up next to my fireplace. Invaluable friend and companion.

I like how you always have thoughts and tips about things no one else mentions on these channels. You are unique, practical, and refreshing! Thank you!!

Nice treasure from your father-in-law.

I've used a stout staff that I picked up off a beaver dam. Nice clean hardwood, I've pushed aside brush, crammed it into a crevice to help climb, used it to find just how muddy that section of trail is, just leaned on it to catch my breath, tied up a tarp on it. You can't count on finding a good piece of hardwood just anywhere. You have to have it with you most times.

Been using one for thousands of miles. For tips I suggest BOTH: a copper tip and then a rubber tip overtop. The copper/brass tip adds much needed strength and the rubber adds grip and shock absorption. Of note some rubber tips have a metal washer in the base. Be careful re duo with this type (especially if you have a metal tip) as it can click / clang and after a few hours will drive you nuts 😂 … don’t ask me how I know!

They made a big difference hiking in the mountains...even on flat ground it's almost like having an extra appendage...lol Thanks MR 😎👍

If I capped the tip in metal, I'd still cap it with the rubber cane tip. The metal can protect the wood synergistically with the rubber, and give the tip tread, rather than losing tread.

Thanks for the useful opinions. I have a bamboo hiking staff, with a 5/8 in rubber cane tip, that I've been using for about 10 years, and it is still going strong. Cane tips can easily be replaced, when needed, and the bamboo weighs almost nothing and is very easy to carry. Gram for gram, bamboo is stronger than steel and weighs very little ... Cheers.

Yep worth their weight in gold, even if it breaks you fall one time. Especially when we are older. Stay safe

Thanks for the share, Modern Refugee

If I were to require a cane for walking, I would turn to my walking stick. Love it! Thanks for sharing your ideas. They are always right on.

I agree with everything you said and covered, every last word. But another use or reason for carrying a heavier wooden walking stick is for a defensive tool. Mine are always made of eastern red cedar. Colorful and solid. Virtually weather proof. Mine not only bring me stability when walking but peace of mind in the event I cross paths with an aggressive animal. Purely defensive. Live and Let Live.

I have several…sugar maple, Osage orange, hickory, dogwood, and sour wood…also great for spider webs, moving briars, flipping debris out of the trail…I never go out without one…also excellent to steady my rifle while taking a shot…

A heavier stick thumping the path gives a bigger signal of your presence in snake country. I have one tipped with a digger tooth. Snakes biting humans is always a result of a failure to communicate: either the snake was surprised and freaked out or the person failed to hear/heed the snake’s warning.

I have one made of sassafras that I love.

Love my walking stick! It's a must have

I use a wood hiking stick, I really require it, not as agil as I used to be. Agree the stick is a very valuable muti use item . Good defense tool, good to help clear a path from bushes etc

A hiking staff is good. They will be more physically fit and so, they should be more productive. But they are always wanting time off....

I have a ''walking staff'' that is 6 ft 6" long...that I made from a 'yard broom handle'. It's also got a rubber tip at the end. I call it a TMPATMADSPAM...that is a 'Tactical' ( becuase its black ) multi purpose, all terrain, mobility assistance device, and short portable antenna mast'. It's literally a multi purpose tool that has attachments for two high power flashlights ( LED ) that can swivel in any direction, it hold's two red flashing lights that I originally got for my bike. It has 50 feet of paracord wrapped round it's handle...which I can use for all sorts of things. I can use it for setting up a bivvi, I can use it for fishing, it could be used as a spear or quarter staff if needed, and I also use it as a 'short portable antenna mast' with a half wave dipole ( roughly 8' 6" on each half ) for use on CB radio In a 'inverted V' configuration. It works well for that !

Good advice 👍

I've got a twisty iron wood hiking staff been using for years. The top two thirds look like it's been varnished, but it's actually just the oils from my hands over the years that's given it a shine.

Thanks for sharing these great tips and the benefits for carrying a hiking staff!

If you put a piece of aluminum pipe that is cut to a point and attached with a screw so it will pivot out about 45 degrees you can use it for a hook to help you climb up or down a steep bank safely, also good for pulling down berry branches for berry picking.

A stick / staff / stave is a great companion. I walk on a tarmac path also frequented by often-inconsiderate cyclists who give no warning of approach and pass by far too closely. Dangerous for an old ‘un like me with hearing loss and prone to waver sideways from time to time! I find my stick - a long piece of stout ash - will force them to give me a little extra room, and make them think of the consequences of tangling their very expensive wheels with my ash pole. Also useful for breaking down the brambles that creep over the path. That’s a lovely thing your F-in-L made for you. Les in UK 🇬🇧

I really like the chest rig , i use that alot myself.

I use a cherry wooden stick for wade fishing or hiking probably 10 yrs now

Thank you.

My trekking poles are one piece aluminum cross country ski poles. Cheap at Goodwill........

Love it Pal Thanks

Very useful.

Yep. I've had my hand made stick for about a decade now. I've yet to mount a strap to it. Mine has a bow in the middle for when I have it on my shoulders and rest my arms over the ends, thus the arms sit low enough to avoid strain. The only preps to it are, sanded down, and one oil coating. I started using one because, at the time, in my late 50s. I need help climbing the local mountain trail, a 1.5 hr hike. Now in my early 60s, much fitter and healthier ( can now do it in under 40mins), I still use it for the knarly sections, especially after a rain.

I've often contemplated getting one for crossing the little rivers while fishing. It can get hairy in the spring with slippery rocks.

Lovely work man, so beautifully and professionally elaborated! 👏👏

Ive had good luck with a set of mid grade trekking poles from REI but I've had the slip a couple times and I know the plastic connectors can break after years of work hardening. I need an OG wood walking stick.

Good video, thanks for sharing YAH bless brother !

I'm 65 I take my Dog for a 30 min Walk almost every Day And never leave without my Stick and Hat ! I made myself and have a rubber stop just like yours.

Prefer walking staff to a cane, too. I see you said you coat yours with tung oil ...any other preservative such as some type of shellac? I have a pretty plain ash one, myself. Use a leather boot lace for the "dangle holder" ( with a paracord "bracelet" for locales where i might drop it. Easily snaps on & off). Amazing how ash just grows with the perfect hand grip! Mines approximately 27 years old now. It has served me well.

A proper Shillelagh is all I use. Not quite a proper walking staff, but if heads need ah kracking, use a shillelagh lad.

Song , 867-What , Jenny

I got one with a old man face at a craft fair but think it may have a wrong twist. I need to try it. In town I use a scrarched up aluminum one because it is light and I already look too old an unorthodox to add a wooden staff to my look. I would like to try a wooden staff on a hike or nature trail..but it must be light enough.

I picked up a pair from black diamond, after a bad lower back injury. Those help a lot stretching out those muscles. I wish they were thicker and stronger, to help with going down steps . I know they knock off 5 minutes to a mile. If I am pushing my pace.

I prefer Iron Wood walking sticks , heavy ! But they don’t break ! It’s a weapon

My nephew made me a nice staff

yes great idea

I am making one out of black walnut for my dad.

I have a question about something else. What is the best way to protect windows from direct in or ricochet? My problem is is I live in a multi story building, but the street goes up the hill out back. So it's technically street level even though floors and floors up. Trying to figure out how to protect from direct in or ricochet. Building is cement, but with LARGE windows.

I have a sturdy walking stick I like a lot but it doesn't have a great carving like yours. On the other hand, the tall carved wooden staff I bought at a Ren. Fest about 30 years ago has a wonderful carved top - but it's so "fancy" I never use it because I worry about damaging it. So, sadly, it's just decorative and not practical.

❤

👍👍

Thanks, Modern Refugee.

Hello ! Still Thinkin’ , Double

😎

I have a couple. Handy. Pun intended😅. From the 👍. Best

Interesting history on staff’s, I’ve read more than one article on this.

They are great to poke around brush in rattle snake country.

I made mine about fifty years ago out of a Chinaberry branch. My carving skills were not that great back then (worse now) but it has stayed with me all these years. I do need to put a cap on the bottom as you suggest, though it will force me to carve that end down to the needed diameter. What do you put on yours to keep it in good shape?

Iron wood is straight , need grip ? Leave the bark on

Is there a type of wood best for a hiking stick?

Hey there MR we are going up to wellston mi. Near tippy dam. We would like to go for a few hikes, any suggestions?? Thanks JD

I’ve always found the metal walking sticks to be extremely ugly.

Best type of wood ? Length ? etc...

Rubber grips, metal slips