Walking sticks and staffs

[FerlasDave]

I left my pilgrims staff at Rough Close; no doubt some Scot has found and adopted it.

They could have been Welsh or Irish too?

 

[StevieE]

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

 

[StevieE]

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.

 

[Falstaff]

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.