Walking sticks and staffs
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I doubt it would have been Welsh. Due to the mountains we all have one leg longer than the other to cope with walking sideways across the ridge
Anyway. Back to the main topic of home made sticks. What do people use to varnish them with? I use natural products but some people swear by yacht oil which gives a great sheen but to me this stops any residual moisture from escaping. My sticks are 2 years drying out but I still dont like this method.
I don't think it matters much, there won't be much moisture left in thin wood after 2 years. Most of mine are naturally air dried, and I'm not going to fuss if they get wet in use. I'd certainly use an oil not a varnish, as varnish will wear off and need redoing.
That scout staff page is amusing, he's cobbled together a variety of historical things done to produce an overloaded multi-tool. But I don't think they were all done on the same staff. But no mention of how to use it to assist actual walking.
The tacks or inch markings can be used to calculate approximate heights and angles. The tacks or furniture dome tacks were very small and didn't weaken the staff. The cup hook screwed into the end really is useful, I'm trying to come up with one for my fishing pole conversion.
That scout staff page is amusing, he's cobbled together a variety of historical things done to produce an overloaded multi-tool. But I don't think they were all done on the same staff. But no mention of how to use it to assist actual walking.
The tacks or inch markings can be used to calculate approximate heights and angles. The tacks or furniture dome tacks were very small and didn't weaken the staff. The cup hook screwed into the end really is useful, I'm trying to come up with one for my fishing pole conversion.
Seeing the Boy Scout Staff made me think of my frequent companion. I never was a Boy Scout, I tried to join the Girl guides once but they twigged my motives and threw me out...
A piece of Hazel cut long ago in a Sussex woodland. It's 4 foot 6 inches tall and an Inch thick and was varnished with Boat Varnish once. Grand Daughter says it looks like me... The helmet is a central piece from a ceiling light fitting. As I've got older and since injury I tend to carry it on virtually all woodland wanders, favoured over other sticks I own. Makes a reasonable prop for a tarp emergency shelter if needed.
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A piece of Hazel cut long ago in a Sussex woodland. It's 4 foot 6 inches tall and an Inch thick and was varnished with Boat Varnish once. Grand Daughter says it looks like me...
The helmet is a central piece from a ceiling light fitting. As I've got older and since injury I tend to carry it on virtually all woodland wanders, favoured over other sticks I own. Makes a reasonable prop for a tarp emergency shelter if needed.
I find great comfort in a 5ft thumbstick when I'm walking the dog. Reasonably frequently it prevents trips and falls. I promise I'm sober. Whilst my lekis have done good service in more adventurous terrains, the thumbstick accompanies me every day.
Here is one I made several years ago (during lockdown IIRC) that I use, made from Hazel.
I made this from a piece that I found in a wood pile at our scout hut
I've just had this made for me by a local stick maker. It came home last week, just in time for this thread.
It has exmoor stag horn at the top, and a lovely brass ferrule on the base.
I think it's chestnut. Though I forgot to ask which wood was used.
The only stipulations I gave were for the ferrule, height and the horn. I'm pretty chuffed with it. I waited almost a year to get it.
It has exmoor stag horn at the top, and a lovely brass ferrule on the base.
I think it's chestnut. Though I forgot to ask which wood was used.
The only stipulations I gave were for the ferrule, height and the horn. I'm pretty chuffed with it. I waited almost a year to get it.
I'm lucky we have an abundance of hazel in my area. Anywhere you look is a potential walking stick. Been some fantastic pics of various people's sticks
That's the normal measurement for a properly load bearing stick used for a medical issue where the weight of almost half the body needs to be carried straight down; walking sticks and staffs, as we use them, just need to be what suits.
Good question Falstaff. I'm 5ft 11. My own sticks range about the 5ft 5 mark but that's why I always carve a secondary handle below. Gives balance and allows a better method to use in under growth.
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