Walking Sticks

**Bugbear** · 31st July 08, 01:00 PM

Post Deleted.

**MarkReaves** · 31st July 08, 11:39 PM

I currently do not have a walking stick, but in the past I would always have one. I've never purchased one as I like to take a long walk in the woods and find just the right stick that is already dead and fashion me a stick worthy of being art in my opinion.

This reminds me of my last stick that I had until it broke, it was about 5ft in length, naturally twisted and had the uniqueness of being struck by lighting during a pretty hot storm. It was taken from the fallen tree from behind my grandmothers home while she was still around. No pictures of it, sorry.

That makes me wonder, of the people here with walking sticks, did you buy them? Make them? Receive them as a gift? If you purchased one, how much did you spend? I ask because I have never actually looked into "good prices" for walking sticks/canes.

**PiobBear** · 1st August 08, 08:47 AM

the people here with walking sticks, did you buy them? Make them? Receive them as a gift? If you purchased one, how much did you spend?

My tracking stick I made, tapered of clear fir with a copper ferrule. My Irish Blackthorn sail éille I got from Lollysmith for about $40.00 US and modified to fit and suit me. The root knob was finished quite rustic; I smoothed, polished and varnished it (Birchwood-Casey TruOil; the same stuff I use on gunstocks); which really brought out the grain quite nicely and made it fit quite comfortably in my hand, and cut it to length (to the break of your wrist when standing, with your arms at your side), installed a brass ferrule and a non-skid black rubber cane tip. With wicked bilateral sciatica and peripheral femoral neuropathy, my sail éille isn't a mere fashion accessory.

I found these which might be of interest to DIY'ers.

**McMurdo** · 10th August 08, 01:08 PM

Here are a couple shots of my new Crummoch:

And a very interesting stick that this gent had

**Tartan Hiker** · 10th August 08, 07:11 PM

Well, you can just barely see my favorite hiking staff in this (very busy) photo. I insist that my employees carry a stout stick/staff at all times. (This photo was made while we were lined up for this year's 4th of July parade in Montreat, NC.)

I made mine of oak with a maple ball on the end. The ball goes in your hand when you're on a steep downhill grade.

For the folks asking how to size sticks, I cut mine so that the top of the stick is between my elbow and my armpit with my arm straight down.

Here's a pic of the business end. Hiking badges from Scotland and the Grand Canyon on this side, a couple of others are around back.

**Macman** · 16th September 08, 10:01 AM

My parents commissioned a good friend of theirs to make me a walking stick for my birthday. He spent a lot of time with me to determine what I'd like, and then designed and created this cromach for me. We picked it up on Sunday.

And the happy new owner!

The cromach is made from a single piece of maple. The cat is a cat-a-mountain guardant proper; the maker used my cap badge on my glengarry as the model. He put a huge amount of work into this. I'm extremely happy with my new cromach!

**Panache** · 16th September 08, 10:09 AM

What a beautiful piece and a magnificient birthday gift!

Cheers

Jamie

**Jock Scot** · 16th September 08, 10:17 AM

Very, very nice indeed!

**McMurdo** · 16th September 08, 10:17 AM

Macman
What a lovely Crommach, and a wonderfully thoughtful gift, there is no doubt you are happy with it, it really is a fine piece, and something you will I am sure cherish forever. Thank you for adding it.

**McFarkus** · 16th September 08, 10:39 AM

I just picked up a couple of new sticks from my favorite carver:

The snake charmer

The eagle

and Old Man Scotland

I have enough now that I had to go out and get a stick stand

Originally Posted by JRB

From what I have read, a properly sized walking stick should reach the break between your hand and your fore-arm (i.e. the wrist) when standing with your hands to your side. For the average size man that generally equals about 36". That's probably why you are having such a hard time finding a good length walking stick for you.

This guy will make a custom stick for you at a reasonable price. http://www.fromthelimb.com/

Originally Posted by Macman

My parents commissioned a good friend of theirs to make me a walking stick for my birthday. He spent a lot of time with me to determine what I'd like, and then designed and created this cromach for me. We picked it up on Sunday.The cromach is made from a single piece of maple. The cat is a cat-a-mountain guardant proper; the maker used my cap badge on my glengarry as the model. He put a huge amount of work into this. I'm extremely happy with my new cromach!

That is spectacular!