View Full Version : Hiking staffs & walking sticks: Parts available here.
maximus otter
19-08-2004, 16:50
For staves, ferrules, laces, horn, adhesive etc. to make your own staff, look here. (http://www.satcure.co.uk/sticks/)
maximus otter
TheViking
19-08-2004, 17:02
Hi...
I like to make my own staff, but good site if you don't wanna make it yourself. :wink:
If you're a DIY'er look here (http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/b-p/staff.htm).
Look here (http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/staff_use.htm) on staff uses. :wink: :biggthump
I got myself a nice piece of spiral hazel for mine - it's amazing what honeysuckle can do to a tree. I cast my feet out of pewter ( yeh it's a bit soft ), all the polish and varnish is homemade. I'm working on a removable staff sling head for the top.
Ever fought with one? I used to do battle reenactment, the staff is an amazingly graceful weapon.
Realgar
I've never fought with one. But there's an interesting link here: http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0200.htm
I love the illustrations!
For staves, ferrules, laces, horn, adhesive etc. to make your own staff, look here. (http://www.satcure.co.uk/sticks/)
maximus otter
Maximus have you used them before, and are they limited to lenghts of maximum 48", the idea of making my own hiking staff would be a good one, but I would prefer a little longer lengths to work with. Good link though for all the rest of the bits :biggthump
RovingArcher
20-08-2004, 04:41
Finding a stave or staff long enough, strong enough and straight enough around here is a real piece of luck, so I decided try using a hickory rake handle as my staff. 61" long and 1.25" in diameter. Weight is almost 2 pounds. It handles very well and is stout enough to do some prying with it if needed. It has a narrowed section near the end that I wrapped 15' of 550 parachute cordage around and the tapered end that receives the rake had a metal sleeve attached. I removed the sleeve and whittled down the taper so that a frogging gig will fit tightly over it. Then all I have to do is use two small wood screws to afix it so that I can use it for frogs, fish and small game, etc.
http://img13.exs.cx/img13/5752/hikestaff.jpg
My own staff or stick (which impressed JeremyH and his wife so much on treeless Islay) is a hazel wand seasoned carefully with a alpine ferrule (for a digging stick) and a silva button compass mounted in on the top.
A good stick is a pleasure to make and own and has many uses.
Brynglas
21-08-2004, 18:18
I like to use a hazel thumbstick on longer walks as it's nice and light, it serves many uses from a wading stick a bushwhacker an an improvised support for my basha when there's no other guying point.
I use a Rowan staff for shorter walks, sturdier but heavier which is really good for getting through undergrowth etc.
My favourite wood for stickmaking though is blackthorn, difficult to find in longer straight lengths, but the bark polishes up to a beautiful colour and the thorns can leave a lovely pattern which look great with a coat of linseed oil or varnish. :pack:
I would'nt go anywhere without mine. having a staff instantly changes you from a semi-stable bi-ped to a very stable tri-ped. they're uses are limited only by your imagination. like almost all my gear I make mine. heres how my best are made, not quick or real easy but in this case the ends justify the means. you will need the following tools. strong clamps, waterproof woodglue, router. the key is lamination!!! there are many combo you can use,personal preference and access to material is the criteria, but use this formula, strong and springy in center strong and hard on outside. now pick your woods ,[ I forgot, you will need a good saw to ],cut into 2in. sqaure strips, glue and clamp, let dry for a couple days , router edges ,a roughly egg shaped cross section seems to be both ergonomic and very strong. thats the short story ,if anyone wants more details shoot me a private message I'll be happy to help. I have also used ss. tubing, aviation alum. tubing ,titainium tubing, and am now exsperimenting with aero-space composites. whatever you use, a staff is one of the most important pieces of your kit. so take your time ,make it like your life depends on it and it will never let you down come what may.
I've heard of a chap that goes by the name of "Martyn the Steyning stick-maker." Does anyone have any info on this? I'm quite local to him and I'm interested in getting a nice stick. Yet I can only find one mention of him on the internet and that is from the wilderness gathering.
any ideas?
cheers,
Martin
bambodoggy
10-01-2005, 23:26
Interesting topic, I use a staff I made myself....it's only short, about half way between a walking stick and a proper staff.....a fun easy first wood project.
A staff or Stave is where the expression "To stave off something" comes from....it's now used in every day conversation like I managed to stave off a cold or flu but that's were it came from....when you used your staff or stave to stave off wild animals.....bandits etc.
For staves, ferrules, laces, horn, adhesive etc. to make your own staff, look here. (http://www.satcure.co.uk/sticks/)
maximus otter
Thanks for this Maximus. I've been looking for stick making stuff for a while now - I'm in the process of making a tracking stick ready for a Shadowhawk tracking course. The site will also be useful as I've got a load of cut sticks that I've got to get around to doing something with (One of the problems of having a fantastic hazel coppice nearby with a plentiful supply of sticks)
has anyone seen those hazel ones which had a clemitis growing round them making a perfect spiral.. i saw a guy with one and though wow what are the chances... since then i have found two (but left them where they were)!
Keith_Beef
17-01-2005, 15:53
You can also get a variety of stick making bits from Craft Supplies, in Buxton.
www.Craft-Supplies.co.uk
Try looking at a traditional Basque Makila, for an interesting take on the swordstick.
http://www.argia.com/makilak/htdocs/
(OK, so it's in Euskara, but Googling will find you some more links in French, Galego, Spanish and maybe even English)
KKK.
RAPPLEBY2000
17-01-2005, 17:15
not sure if it's a valid question or not but:
are there any laws about staffs and walking sticks?
just to be over cautouis can it be confiscated as a possible weapon, in the same way carrying a baseball bat would?
:sword: :tw: :dedhorse: :smashfrea
arctic hobo
17-01-2005, 17:37
That's quite a party at the bottom of your post! As far as I know staffs are fine, even weighted ones, however bear in mind that legally anything is a weapon if you use it as such so if you beat up a copper with your stick he's quite within his rights to take it off you.
Does anyone know how tall a staff should be relative to yourself?
I know a walking stick should be from the ground to your hand, with your forearm held parallel to the ground.
Cheers
i normaly make them a little under head hight... dono if there are any rules though
make it tall.. if its too long cut a bit off :wink:
i normaly make them a little under head hight... dono if there are any rules though
make it tall.. if its too long cut a bit off :wink:
Yeah ... easier to cut more off than add some!
not sure if it's a valid question or not but:
are there any laws about staffs and walking sticks?
just to be over cautouis can it be confiscated as a possible weapon, in the same way carrying a baseball bat would?
:sword: :tw: :dedhorse: :smashfrea
A baseball bat would be fine and legal where you were playing baseball and a walking stick is OK when you are walking.
Use either as a weapon though and you change it from being an everyday object into a weapon.
i normaly make them a little under head hight... dono if there are any rules though
make it tall.. if its too long cut a bit off :wink:
Thanks. :biggthump
Just that i'm 6' 3'' and is easier if I can find a piece that is as short as it has to be.
They shrink alot during seasoning aswell.
i'm 6' 3'' dont worrie mate... there are some big trees around!
dont worrie mate... there are some big trees around!
:rolmao:
Believe me there are not that many straight saplings as tall as me and thin enough that i would want to cut down. :roll:
i will bring you one to ashdown then..(if can b****y get there) :wink:
I'm about5'10' so I like mine 6ft. It often serves as a ridgepole for a quick shelter, I've tried shorter ones but they're not as functional for me. down side is its sometimes a pain to transport but thats my only gripe!!.
Thanks for the offer but I don't think I will be able to get there. :roll: I will go searching at the weekend in some woods near uni. :wink:
:biggthump
I'm about5'10' so I like mine 6ft. It often serves as a ridgepole for a quick shelter, I've tried shorter ones but they're not as functional for me. down side is its sometimes a pain to transport but thats my only gripe!!.
Woodrat - take a look at the site that Maximus highlighted. There is a screw joint on there that could be fitted to your staff so that it can be taken apart like you can with a snooker / pool cue. Ive just bought one with a view to fitting it to a larger staff so that it can be easily strapped to the side of a pack when not needed.