Walking stick/hiking staff

[Bill B]

So, does anybody here have or use a hiking staff in their GHB/BOB? When my kids were in scouts they did all kinds of neat things with them for survival. In addition they can be a good weapon that is non-threatening.
I'm thinking about making one again and was wondering if anyone has done it.

 

[LEaSH]

I like the look of a hand carved walking stick.

But I just use a hockey stick when mushroom hunting and things like that. Easy to flip leave and brush away. I only bring it in case I surprise a sleepy snake. So we don't hurt each other.

 

[SSGSAD]

My Bn. Cdr., had one, carved in it were all his stripes, and his officer rank,
he was a Lt. Col. at the time, and also, all his posts, where he had
served .....

 

[flatlander]

Used them for years. If you plan on being in the woods a lot form a flattened metal tip on it and it's useful for clearing a sleeping spot, light digging and defense in a pinch among many other things.

Bob

 

[Icarry2]

Haven't used one for years but when mushroom hunting (hockey stick is awesome idea) and way back when in Scouts. As mentioned, my scout one has badges earned and adventuring acheivements, miles hiked, trails hiked etc. Would love to have seen that BN CDR's staff, sounds interesting.

I have considered the new light weight trek poles. Haven't researched them yet.

 

[pinshooter45]

I have two "BO's" left over from my brief stint in Karate, many years ago. And use it quite frequently while walking around my neigborhood. I took the rubber foot of of one of the crutches I have to protect the end. Still remember most of what I was taught about using it too.

 

[Rey B]

I have a nice hickory hiking staff that I use regularly. I am collecting the hiker badges from the different state parks as I stay in and hike each park with my wife.

 

[Gray Squirrel]

I have several red cedar staffs.They are heavy when you first cut them green but after they dry it is light and very strong..

 

[TiminMishawaka]

Not to go full geek but in Lord of the Rings, Gimli had a walking stick with a light axe head on it. That struck me as a very interesting idea of a walking stick with a hatchet or hawk head on it. Then I found this:

Shepherd's axe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sounds like a very handy deal. The only thing I would change is to make the head detachable and re attachable.

 

[7.62-5.56Plinker]

i actually just finished one yesterday. cut it off the tree and shved it down with my ESEE4 and sprayed some poly on it. it looks good. drilled a hole in it. im gonna put a paracord lanyard one it. just gotta weave it.

 

[Grizhicks]

Yes, but ha Alsove gone to the lightweight trekking poles. After both hips & both knees having been replaced, I need all the extra support I can get. Also, a good sturdy stick is on the BOB/GHB list. -- Grizhicks

 

[dudley0]

I am interested in the light weight trek type poles.

They look handy, but not very sturdy. Would hate to put my weight into it and have an aluminum pole snap and me go plummeting into it.

Anybody have experience with them?

 

[ISP 5353]

I have used trekking poles for many many miles! I love them and would not think of hiking long distances without them. They are a great idea if you are planning to hike a lot. A good stout staff might serve you much better if you needed to use it as a weapon.

 

[dudley0]

Think I would be set on weapons, but something to assist with moving my fat butt around could help.

Any in particular? Have seen some at box stores but again have no idea what is good.

 

[Bill B]

I was thinking of a good staff to go with my GHB, although one of the "sticks" would be useful too.

 

[alloyguitar]

Might want to look into a used set of ski poles. They wouldn't collapse, but would probably serve weapon duty better than a collapsable one...of course, the stick would still win for a weapon.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

You can buy collapsible walking sticks of various quality from almost any sporting goods outlet and many catalogs. If what you're looking for is a walking aid, they will work just fine. If you're looking for a secondary (or tertiary) weapon, you should probably consider other alternatives. I like a good walking stick as well as anyone, but a stout branch from a sapling or a young tree will do just fine in a pinch.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I'm of the "I'll cut one when I need one" camp here. I do have a stick that I stripped and dried, then cut to proper length...years ago, but it doesn't get dragged around with the BOB or anything. It just sits in the corner of the room and looks pretty. One of my favorite activities when hiking is the "hunt" for just the right stick and the constant hunt to improve it.....

 

[RichardR]

I made one a few years ago, it's more of a cane than a walking stick/staff though.

 

[easy]

Might want to look into a used set of ski poles.

This is the ticket. Available for just a couple of $$ at most any thrift store or junk shop. Used them for years as 'snake sticks'.