Walking Canes/Poles.

[ducktapehero]

I'm seriously thinking about getting one. Actually I'll probably get the brown one and if I like it I'll get the black one for formal occasions.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Nice one DTH

They certainly look solid, and I do prefere that grip style

[ducktapehero]

Well I bought one of the Hercules canes off of ebay. I got the brown one. Hopefully it'll be here in a few days. I'll let y'all know how it is.

[ducktapehero]

Well the cane arrived today. This thing is sweet. It's a great STOUT cane that will serve me well but in no way does it look like a "fighting" or "self defense" cane. I am going to get the black one soon for formal occasions.

[ringzero]

I have been thinking about making a walking stick out bamboo you can buy it cheap at garden centers. You could cut it to any length you like. You could store stuff in the handle maybe use something like a champagne cork for a plug. Wrap the handle with para cord well you get the idea. I am sure you could think of lots of other things you could add. What do you think?

Used to carry a bamboo staff for hiking and backpacking about 5 feet long and 1.5 inch diameter.

Bamboo can make a great staff:  lightweight, very strong, and surprisingly durable.

The bamboo for my staff, and several other staffs I made, came from a carpet store.  Rolls of carpet used to be shipped from the factory wrapped around big bamboo poles (maybe they still are but haven't checked for years.)  Some stores gave the bamboo away and other stores sold it for a few bucks.

Just find a piece of the diameter you prefer and cut it to a good length for you.  It is important to cap the ends of your staff to prevent splitting.  Those rubbery, slide-on caps sold for furniture legs work great for capping a bamboo staff.  You'll probably need to go to a furniture store that offers a selection of caps to find the right size for your staff.

A tip for cutting your staff:  choose a distance above one of the bamboo's rings so you will be left with a hollow compartment at the top of the staff of the length you desire.

I made the hollow storage compartment a little less than a foot long and capped it with a rubbery furniture cap to make it waterproof.  Used it to carry cigars and matches.

I carried that same staff for years and loved it, but eventually gave it up for an ice axe.

The bamboo held up well despite lots of abuse:  falling and sliding down rock faces, frequent submersion in water and mud, etc.

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[Benner]

Haven't seen you around for a while Ringzero. 

[ringzero]

Haven't seen you around for a while Ringzero. 

Hey, Benner.  :>

Yeah, it's been quite a while since I posted anything here.  But, I've still been dropping in a few times a week to keep up with developments on MTO.

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[Benner]

Haven't seen you around for a while Ringzero. 

Hey, Benner.  :>

Yeah, it's been quite a while since I posted anything here.  But, I've still been dropping in a few times a week to keep up with developments on MTO.

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That's good to hear.  It's good to see you back. 

[ringzero]

Haven't seen you around for a while Ringzero. 

Hey, Benner.  :>

Yeah, it's been quite a while since I posted anything here.  But, I've still been dropping in a few times a week to keep up with developments on MTO.

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That's good to hear.  It's good to see you back. 

Thanks, Benner.  I've been kinda sidelined by some medical issues but am trying to get back into the swing of things.

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[Benner]

Nothing too serious I hope

[ringzero]

Nothing too serious I hope

Serious, but it could be worse.

"What can't be cured, must be endured."

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[Benner]

Sorry to hear that. 

[ringzero]

Sorry to hear that. 

Thanks for your concern, Benner - it's appreciated.

Now, on to a more pleasant topic:  saw the recent pics of your wife and WOWSERS!  You are a lucky guy, Benner.  ;>

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[Benner]

What, because I own a Trailmaster?!    I know, I love it. 

She's ok too. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good to see you back mate

And good on you for recycling the materials and using them for a cain

[ringzero]

What, because I own a Trailmaster?!    I know, I love it. 

She's ok too. 

Only OK?

Does she ever read any threads on MTO?  If so, you'd best be a mite more careful what you write.  ;P

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[Benner]

Luckily she doesn't.    I would have been castrated long ago if she did.

[ringzero]

Luckily she doesn't.    I would have been castrated long ago if she did.

That big Cold Steel blade could remove your whole package in just a fraction of a second.

IIRC, you have already replicated your DNA so the loss of a few nonessential parts shouldn't matter that much.  ;P

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[DaveK]

Luckily she doesn't.    I would have been castrated long ago if she did.

That big Cold Steel blade could remove your whole package in just a fraction of a second.

I've just had a great idea for a trial at the UK meet next month......

[ringzero]

Good to see you back mate

And good on you for recycling the materials and using them for a cain

Hey, Micky d.  :>

Can't take credit for the idea - it came directly from the Master Backpacker himself:  Colin Fletcher.  He described how to make a bamboo staff in "The Complete Walker" including checking carpet stores for surplus bamboo.

As decribed in "The Man Who Walked Through Time" and "Thousand Mile Summer" Fletcher's bamboo staff was a faithful companion throughout his hike down the length of the Grand Canyon, and for a thousand mile tramp along the West Coast of the US.

Try a bamboo staff, you'll like it.

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[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I may well give it a go

[Sparky415]

Time to wake this thread up 
As I'm getting fatter, older and slower I have started taking a walking stick with me when we walk the dog 
Here's a bit of Ash that I 'found' at this years meet



Neil supplied me with the antler 
and I copied Warriors link to the para-cord wrap 
I wanted enough on the stick to make an emergency dog lead



I think I need one of those little skull beads or something to finish it of...... still thinking about that (suggestions?) 



 

[Neil]

Cool   I think a brass bead would work better personally.

[Sean]

Yup, good idea waking up this thread.    Anyhow, I like your ash, no wait that
doesn't sound right, nice wood!

I've been getting into the stick and cane making lately just for fun.  Here is a
bit of a crappy picture taken with my phone.

[Sparky415]

They look great Sean 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Fine looking canes guys

I've been using a Vango walking pole atm because of my back, and find I get on with it much better than I do a walking stick

[Sparky415]

Fine looking canes guys

I've been using a Vango walking pole atm because of my back, and find I get on with it much better than I do a walking stick

Mike
I have seen walkers using those poles for a while which was the reason I started using a stick

I'm finding it quite useful on hills/muddy bits

I was wondering about the length of this one, I have used it a few times whilst it was just a stick and it seems OK at 54'' / 137cms high but it can always get shorter

Brass beads 

[Sean]

Thanks, Sparky & Mike. 

[badwolf]

Interesting to find this post as it wasn't something I expected to see here. I usually have a stick with me while dog walking, I have a few, my favourite is a bit chewed, had it some years now. I have one fancy stick, landrover merchandise sassafras twisty hiking stick, will add some pics asap, its a nice stick but just not me, its been sat here for ages so this would be a great opportunity for a give away ...its in fantastic condition, has a leather hand trap with seven types of tracking prints on it and a twisty carved spiral running most of its lenght, made by 'whistlecreek.com'. Will add pics and details of give away asap

[Neil]

Whilst we're on the subject

I have recently developed arthritis in both my knees. As such a stick most of the time isn't much help but when its at its worst getting up can be a bit tricky and I've been thinking a collapsible stick might be a prudent bit of kit when out and about.

This is of course MTO and I won't be satisfied with a single use item   See I'm also after a monopod for the camera.

Any recommendations for a good monopod / walking stick?  I see a lot of cheap ones from the low end camera accessory manufacturers but if they're of the same quality as their tripods I wouldn't trust them as a walking/standing aid.