Thanks for the compliments lads all appreciated.
Ship i oil mine a few times first i think that the oil soaks in better being thinner. Then after about a week of oiling it everyday i oil and wax it for the next few days. One advantage you have using the oil/wax mix is that after you've applied it let it dry and you can buff it. It won't be as shiny as if it had been varnished but i prefer it, and i think oiling a staff is better than varnishing it because the oil soaks in, where varnish sits on the top. As the staff gets a few little knocks, as they all do eventually, this damages the varnish and lets water in under the varnish causing the wood to swell and more varnish coming off.
I have been thinking of fitting an alpine spike, one i make myself, because i agree it would make a decent rest for a rifle.
Do i make sillelaghs........i have been hoping to find a nice piece of wood to have a go. Not found one yet.If and when i do i think it may take quite a while to dry because i'd like to use a harder wood and the thickness of the top.