When out and about in the wilds of Ireland it is important to have with you a walking staff. It gives you added support on uneven terrain. It is a readily available tool for rustling up the coal bed or a place to hang your jacket...
There are many options out there for finding, making or purchasing your walking staff. In the past I have used store bought walking sticks that usually come in pairs. They are offered in Lidl or Aldi from time to time and cost about €30. They are not a bad option but they tend to bend or break with intense outdoor use. They are geared more towards the casual hiker who stays on the trails.
That is not the fate for Bushcrafters. We seldom stay on the trail.
An preferable option is to find one while out in the woods. Find a branch that is half the size of your wrist or twice the size of your thumb. It will need to be roughly straight. Hold it with the thicker end upright near your hand and the thinner end towards the ground.
You will want the height of your staff to reach up to your solar plexus. That is where the bottom of your ribcage meets your sternum.
My preferred wood is Hazel, Willow, and especially Holly. There are more deciduous options in the Eastern part of Ireland but here in Southwest Kerry we have to make do with what grows. The Holly works really well but it twists once it is split.
There are some store bought options for walking staffs. Be careful on what you buy. They are usually there to look good and might not hold up to intense Bushcrafty things.
You can accessorise your walking staff by tying paracord around the handle. Another option is to drill a small hole on the very top and glue a compass into that hollow. That way you will always have your direction finding device with you.
I am seldom found without one of my walking staffs. I find with my back problems that I am much more steady with a staff while walking in the bog or out in the sitka spruce forestry.
Why not go out and create your own Gandalf staff?
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Good article. A walking staff is a very handy thing on uneven ground. Do you dry the wood for the staff, or just cut it and start using it? Do you remove the bark, or varnish/seal the timber?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThere are two options for making your own walking staff. You can use a freshly harvested stick or a dried one. My favourite fresh staff comes from the Holly tree. It will last a couple of months until it starts to crack.
The long term option is for a dried staff. Willow, Yew, Oak or other hard wood would make a great walking staff. The ideal dryness is 9%. That is totally unobtainable here in South Kerry. I am happy enough with my staff with about 25% humidity.
Always take the bark off your staff. It will last longer and to be honest the bark will be knocked off eventually with use.