Hiking Staff: An Old Friend Gets a Few Mods

[redneck17]

BradGad: Very nice post and good ideas, especially the bright-colored loop and the measuring marks. I have often used a staff but have been too lazy to make the modifications. Do you or other people ever put a large nail or spike into the bottom of a staff? I think it might be useful for traction or for (last resort) as a defensive weapon.
Faiaoga

some do. though a sharpened and notched piece of steel or aluminum pipe is preferred it seems. as a weapon, I dont think it would work too well.

[MysticFlight]

Nice work....gives me a few ideas for mine

[BeerBaiter]

Nice staff and nice mods. Right now I use hiking poles more than a stick/staff, but I wrapped mine with a few feet of safety orange duct tape. It's really handy for spotting them and I've had to use the duct tape a few times too. I wish I had hickory easily available here in WA, but I've only seen the pre cut and prelacuered ones at sports stores.


Noah
Because Tapatalk

[Makarov]

Nice staff and nice mods. Right now I use hiking poles more than a stick/staff, but I wrapped mine with a few feet of safety orange duct tape. It's really handy for spotting them and I've had to use the duct tape a few times too. I wish I had hickory easily available here in WA, but I've only seen the pre cut and prelacuered ones at sports stores.


Noah
Because Tapatalk

Try vine maple, good sticks and easy to find in western WA

[zippydapanhead]

I did a four leather strand braid rather than the paracord on mine. The hand loop gets pushed down to the rubber tip so I can use the leather braid as a sling when I'm working up a steep rock mound sweat and don't want to tie up a hand with my staff. Aerostitch has a small stick on clock with an elapsed time ring that has been very handy for me. They also have clip on gauges for a thermometer, clock or compass to clip on the stick (and holds my grip wrap in place). I thought about spikes and other tips, but I figure if getting rapped in the head with that damn shillelagh doesn't take the Irish out of somebody of something, then a straight jab in the belly with the tip might aught to let some gas out of 'em.

[BradGad]

BradGad: Very nice post and good ideas, especially the bright-colored loop and the measuring marks. I have often used a staff but have been too lazy to make the modifications. Do you or other people ever put a large nail or spike into the bottom of a staff? I think it might be useful for traction or for (last resort) as a defensive weapon.
Faiaoga

Hi Faiaoga... Thanks! I've actually considered that but never tried it. For one thing, I worry that it would skid on rocks.

[ironbyron1]

Thanks for the thread. Helped me remember that I made a staff out of a closet rod years ago. I think it is in the garage somewhere. I tied paracord around it to make a handle as well.

[Yankeewoodsman]

This reminds me a lot of the old plans for a Boy Scout walking staff, I'll put it up for your perusal

staff.jpg

[MarauderMan]

Hi Faiaoga... Thanks! I've actually considered that but never tried it. For one thing, I worry that it would skid on rocks.

Then you just have to make it a retractable, spring loaded one! Or a screw on one.

[Buckwilk]

A hiking staff is a very good deterant for two legged varmints, snakes etc.