Easy DIY 1920s Hiking Staff: Craft Your Own Vintage Outdoor Gear!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Check out Sarge Vining's Channel: www.youtube.com/@sargevining Thanks for watching! Please leave me a thumbs up and a comment in the section below. Make sure and check out our website at www.waypointsurvival.com where you can sign up for classes and check out the required gear list!

[@adrianmeredith7619]

I cut one while working in the woods of south Wales when my daughter was born.... she will be thirty years old soon and I still have the stick. Great content as always

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@moorshound3243]

South Wales is the place to be.

[@gudgengrebe]

That’s a good story

[@57WillysCJ]

I cut one from Osage Orange about 26 years ago. It's still hard as a rock.

[@Wolfram762]

Great content James!!

[@simonpeter5383]

Here's a tip my Dad taught me, if you soak the handle in hot or boiling water it will soften the rubber, it's also good for putting hose fittings on hoses.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea!

[@agaig9812]

I'm a Trail Life USA leader and that would be a cool project for the troop! Walk Worthy!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great idea, thanks for watching!

[@andrewpalmer1630]

A walking stick has so many uses, not the least of which is knocking down cobwebs on a trail. Good show. Love the old drill. I have my grandfather’s hand tools.

[@randy-9842]

Absolutely. I have a stick (much longer than a normal "staff") for just that purpose when I walk down to the lake near me.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You got that right!

[@ArmoredXJ]

Very cool. And a great reminder of how to make things for yourself as well as care fore them so They last you a long time!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Absolutely!

[@sargevining]

Well thanks for the shout. You done that good, but the whittlin' is bettah in a rocking chair on a porch with an old dog sleeping at your feet----

[@BigMama2022]

😊

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're very welcome and thanks for the idea!

[@sargevining]

@@WayPointSurvival Got mine leaning in the corner. Made from a mop handle with a metal screw in attachment and a bicycle grip. Saved a lot of work as I didn't need to fashion a tip and the grip slid on with just a little bit of strong language---

[@jro341]

Nice idea. I see one of these in my future. Thanks for the videos, guys. I'll probably use a skiing pole grip because I'm used to that.

[@RelaxingRainWalker]

Thank you for the video. I made a walking stick based a vintage Boy Scout Handbook. Slightly different than the one you made. Both styles are excellent for walking and hiking. I love these vintage videos; I find them informative and enjoyable. God bless.

[@WayPointSurvival]

That is awesome! Thanks and God bless you too!

[@livereatingjohnson8231]

Like the tie and hat, also great staff. Never underestimate a good stick.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed!

[@richardbonner2354]

As Ol' Clint Eas'wood an' I are fond o' sayin', "Sometime... there ain' nothin' like a good, strong piece o' Hickory..." Or some other stout wood. 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltucky

[@livereatingjohnson8231]

@@richardbonner2354 Pale Rider, great movie

[@williamprince1114]

About 1/3 of the way down the staff I like to wrap para cord forming both a comfortable grip and giving me some cordage if needed. My Father in Law used to make these out of old golf club shafts. More of a walking cane than a staff but very handy, light, and useful.

[@larrynason8716]

I live on a small river, so last winter I collected many beaver chewed limbs from the river, and left them to dry in the basement. A few were sized just right to use as is for walking sticks. One I found even has bark left on the last 5 inches, that serves as a nice hand grip. Longer ones work great when descending slippery/snowy banks.I used a short length of old copper pipe on the bottom extended about an inch. It gives great grip on ice. I enjoyed the video. 👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool!

[@Blrtech77]

James, You and Sarge are such a vast wealth of knowledge! Thanks for sharing and this is on my bucket list of projects to do.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent! Thanks for watching!

[@mikebrown7649]

Another great video! I love how you repurpose the old materials to make it new again. On my walking stick I used a piece of heavy gauge page wire connected to a screw that I can fold down to snag pieces of plastic and other garbage on the sides of the trail. Keeps me away from the ticks while I'm doing it. Keep up the great videos!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent idea!

[@marksadventures3889]

I used to have a long staff, Gandalf style, it was marked with burnt in runes down it's length of 6 feet. These days I use a shop bought walking pole. Because they can be reduced in size for storage and are feather light.

[@WayPointSurvival]

True!

[@muchasgracias6976]

Thanks James. Another brilliantly informative 'how to' video from WPS!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jenandjim149]

I have an old broom and I will make one today, thank you so much for all you hard work.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Have fun!

[@scotbotvideos]

Thanks for posting this. I've got an old snow shovel handle that I intend making into a walking staff for myself. And these are just the instructions I needed. Cheers, my man.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kargoneth]

I like the vintage tools and supplies. Pretty.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@Johonavich49]

I have a stick from a rake I bought a few years ago! I know I was going to use that stick for something.1920s walking stick! Thanks James!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great! You're welcome!

[@racehorsecharlie6423]

Thank you for such a clear and understandable video and for braving that summer weather!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You are so welcome! It was quite hot outside!

[@RYTime-p2r]

Yesss, love your videos!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@debluetailfly]

Nice stick project! Just subbed to Sarge's channel. To clear up some screw terminology, the screw driver shown is for slotted screws. Slotted screws can be flat head, round head, oval, pan head, fillister, hex washer and more. Flat head screws can be slotted, Philips, Robertson, or torx, among others.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching and for the correction!

[@Georgecobb-s1v]

Excellent! I have been using wooden yard tool handles & broom & mop handles for years! The Walnut Oil really enhanced the hiking staff! Before you got to that point in the video, I was going to suggest sanding, staining, & using boiled linseed oil or gunstock oil. Evidently, you were a step ahead of me, as usual! Great video. And Sarge Vining does an excellent job, too! Keep those Classic & Hobo How-To's coming. May God bless you!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, you too!

[@ArtofBrandonTruster]

Love ya mang, keep tt up! You can also get a lot of mileage out of a bicycle tugging a small cart of sorts. That is how I did it years ago. All the necessary items for survival easily fit onto the cart.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good stuff!

[@rickryan4815]

Thank you for another thoughtful, detailed and fun tutorial. May God bless you and yours.

[@WayPointSurvival]

You are so welcome!

[@cowtipper6705]

That knife is super cool!

[@ahabstar]

As a kid, Grandpa and I were walking the tracks and ran across some spent 12 gauge shell. Those became the end caps. And cotton line was wrapped for a lower handle as the walking stick was higher for going down creek banks and such.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool!

[@richardbonner2354]

Ahab, Those spent shot gun shells You an' Your Gran'Pap used are a waaay cool bit of Yankee ingenuity. 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltuck

[@ahabstar]

@@richardbonner2354 It was kinda a way. We would scrounge around and fix things people threw out and do a “little horse trading” or give things away when people said they were looking for something because generally they or someone else would do the same or at least cut a deal. It’s why I really enjoy James’s Hobo Series. Making do with what you have and getting by with what you find or fix. Which was the story of America until the 70’s or 80’s when it became pitch and replace or pitch a fit if you can’t.

[@richardbonner2354]

@@ahabstar and Ahab..., Not only "makin' do" with what You've got, like re-pairin' stuff that Others don' have the skills and know-how to mend -- here's the part I Really like! -- makin' stuff better. Oft' times, makin' stuff better'n it originally was. After having been "... in the master's hand", as it were. 'Member that ol' tune about a dusty ol' fiddle, neglected for years? After a violin Virtuoso tuned that rascal up, rosined up that ol' horsehair, an' tucked it under His chinny chin chin... that fiddle sang sweetly again. Sweeter'n it ever had before, even. 🙂 Rick

[@gregreed1044]

My Grandpa did the same. he was bore 1897…still miss him but use ALL I learned from him 👍😁

[@ORVONTON64]

That ratcheting screwdriver was awesome... work anooth too... :)..... Got an old rake... maybe i need to make me one.. like it

[@WayPointSurvival]

Go for it!

[@thecontinuingadventureso-qs5zm]

Hi, Loving Your videos. Just a little tip, heat up the oil before wiping it on. That way it's thinner and penetrates a little further into the wood. Keep up the good work. Best Wishes. Jahmahrah

[@audreybender739]

You always do a great job explaining the process of how to's!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 James, great video, thank you for sharing it. Stay safe out there. 😊

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks, you too!

[@billwolfram412]

Many Thanks James !!!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@dnarossow]

Great idea! I'll be making one of these soon!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great!

[@Johnathan-ib3qh]

Simple yet effective.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@jackvoss5841]

Some suggestions: Soaking the ends in oil, say, boiled linseed oil, will help preserve them. Put a few inches of oil into a tin can, place the can in an out-of-the-way corner, and stand up the stick in the can. A few days later, reverse the ends. Then, rub oil along the whole stick as you did. For walking areas that are not in the woods, a crutch tip or cane tip on the bottom end provides good traction. I went to Tractor Supply Company, and bought a crook, the stick with the hooked end like Mary carried for her little lamb. Very strong chunk of wood. Cut to length to suit your needs. I removed the crook part. Keep or dispose to suit your needs. Not many sheep where I go. And I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I caught it! Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool!

[@maggiep3263]

I can imagine going on my walk through my 'hood with a crook. The neighbors would be like "what in the world???" 😂

[@jackvoss5841]

@@maggiep3263 G’day, Maggie. Me too. That’s one reason that I sawed off the crook portion. The other reason is that I wanted a straight piece of wood for the staff. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@chadwright7614]

Mighty fine walking stick man.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@mariagar5758]

😊 thanks for sharing your amazing content take care bye

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@JackBlack-gh5yf]

Nice Sportsman's Knife, to give it the correct designation 😉

[@tomritter493]

Alwaysed love makeing staffs

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed. Thanks for watching, my friend!

[@springof-wf8vy]

Now this is on my Saturday project to do list. Thanks Mr. James . I really need one for my on foot hunting , hiking. God bless you and keep em coming

[@carlinfan-m7v]

Oh, you would LOVE the walkingstick that I have, that belonged to my great-great grandfather and that went down the generations. He found a curly tree and took a perfect small branch, the handle was practically already naturally in there so he just shaved the end to a point and used it as a stick till he died in 1898. This thing is a stunning beauty to look at, a piece of nature's art!! I got it when my father died and used it for walking too, but now the darkbrown curly stick rests horizontally on two black antique curtainrod-holders against my kitchenwall next to my 1946 electric stove. I hung some old hooks on it who hold my antique/vintage kitchenstuff. All still being used, I love to look at it 😍 Old stuff and selfmade is great!

[@WayPointSurvival]

That sounds really amazing! What a great heirloom!

[@patrickmitchell100]

Thats fantastic im definitely doing that this weekend great project james

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

Thank You for this Sir. 👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@Marta_z_Dabrowy]

I made similar stick as a teenager. Very useful thing, lasted many years too.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool!

[@jonnyboat2]

Teddy Roosevelt said; Walk softly and carry a big stick. Nice project.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes! Thank you!

[@scottthomas3792]

My grandfather made something very similar, the main exception was he used a short piece of copper pipe ( 3 or 4 inches) instead of a pipe cap. He called them " snake sticks"....

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, I have heard that being done as well. Normally, the end of the pipe is then smashed flat.

[@captainchaos3053]

​@@WayPointSurvival casing from a shotgun shell or a .50 bmg also works well.

[@tenchraven]

Just made a new one a few weeks ago. Rather than a bicycle handle grip, used a piece of inner tube, rolled down over parachute cord with 20# test kevlar thread under that. And capped at either end.

[@richardbonner2354]

That rubber inner tube rolled over the cord..., Poi-feck, Main! 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltuck

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent idea!

[@3dawgs147]

James another great Video It’s amazing how simple it is but made so well You come up with some great things from the past Great Job my Ohio Brother.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks!

[@SomeNobodyiswatching]

I like this guy glad I found your channel.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you're here!

[@elrondsoukup29]

That's a nice little shillelagh you made, there 😊

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed!

[@ostekuste3646]

To keep the copper cap on I use a small hex head Tapcon concrete screw in the bottom. I know it’s not “vintage” but it works very well. The head of the screw protrudes just enough to grip on some rock or ice, and the screw is hardened steel to work in concrete, so it will last ages.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great idea!

[@gwpattrick]

I've made a couple of real nice ones over the years. But I tend to use the crappie 3/4 x 3/4 walnut one the most. It just feels good.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Right on.

[@danielcamacho2123]

That’s a beautiful knife 😊 I need one !!

[@WayPointSurvival]

It is really cool!

[@SheepDoggy68]

My preference is nose high walking sticks and I will generally dig up a hickory sapling so I can use the root knob as well for the top of my stick. Boiled linseed oil and a rubber tip finish them off, but a copper of steel tube or cap would be fine as well!

[@dougjarvis2356]

Try using a dubbel headed nail just grind off the top head to a point. It won’t go up in the shaft. Works great I’ve used one for years.

[@independentthinker8930]

Nice, I love these old and homemade items.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidlewis9572]

I make mine , old limb . Wrap handle with leather lace , wrap tip around with copper wire . Add a feather for decoration

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great idea!

[@captainchaos3053]

Mine has 50ft of ordinary sisal string wrapped around the top as an easy way to carry cordage and a bit of extra grip. You can also make a very good stash inside the wrappings. I have 5 lifeboat matches a 4 inch nail and a wire snare and a birthday candle in there.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@echodelta2426]

Great video James. I too thought of using a tool handle, but did not think of the bicycle grip. Thinking about wrapping the top with a leather strip or 550 paracord.

[@WayPointSurvival]

That would work too!

[@ianmurray4081]

I have done something similar using modern materials. Ash shovel handle, para cord for the grip, with lanyard and a rubber tip for crutches 🩼 with the metal swing down ice crampon you can find for winter months. Also, marked the wood shaft to use as a measuring stick to help gauge depth of water, snow or other things that might need to be measured.🇨🇦🫡🇺🇸

[@WayPointSurvival]

Great idea!

[@dlighted8861]

Nice tip on the walnut oil.😃

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dlighted8861]

@@WayPointSurvival I was going to say that stick couldn't be saved but you shaving down the handle showed lots of useable wood. This is a project I can get behind. I will have to think of something vintage other than the bicycle grip. I have to be careful with my money to fix up a canoe. Maybe I will stitch up a leather grip/handle.🤔

[@rogueraven7603]

Very fun project. Some hand lotion can help restore the rubber but be careful because it can float ink markings off the rubber which can be problematic if there’s a makers mark you want to preserve.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for the tip!

[@henryschmidt636]

Great vid by a very dapperly dressed man! Bike mechanic tip.... No need to heat the handlebar grip. Just heavily spray cheap hairspray into the grip. It acts as lube and when it dries, acts as adhesive so it won't slip or twist around. Looking forward to more on the knife, I'm a Swiss Army Knife fanatic

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks for watching and for the tip!

[@jonbridge8064]

I have a similar (former rake handle) walking staff, but I used a flat shoelace wrapped around to make the handle.

[@richardbonner2354]

Mr James Bender, Like You, I was so glad to find that Natural, wood preservin' Walnut oil, in ol' fashioned metal cannisters, is still stocked in the cookin' oil section of mos' local grocery Stores. As You demonstrated, the American Walnut oil makes wood look.... beeeea-U-ti-mous. And... as with mos' things "vintage", it contributes to makin' Your walkin' staff not only work very well -- even for an extensive time of tough use on the trails -- it LOOKS swell, too. 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltuck

[@WayPointSurvival]

Absolutely! It works very well!

[@HonorableOutfittersPodcast]

Very nice! Love the bike handle use!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much, my friend!

[@Alas-xj8cr]

I made something verry similar except I used a length of rebar for the point. I filed it to a point and fire hardened it. A made a very sturdy pointed end to protect against slipping or animals and yes where I hike animals can be a problem.

[@sailawaybob]

I have a hiking stick i probably made over 30 years ago i made from a tree limb , not skinny but not to thick either. I do like that brass cover i may try that and maybe the rubber grip. Jusr my thought finding a branch preferably a falen one and making your own will cast many memories.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed!

[@craigeckhoff99]

50 of 74 years a hobo. Great modification of common items. I've used a rake handle for a walking stick/tent pole/ etc for years. My was simply using cane tips on both ends tho. Yours is a better design tho. Good show.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much, my friend!

[@phyllismulkey3778]

nice job, looks good

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@MyFriendsKitchen]

My Dad made a wading stick for fishing very similar to that, he weighted the bottom so it wouldn't float as much, put a rubber stopper on the end so it gripped the slippery rocks, and had a longer leash that would hold it around his neck and arm pit so he could cast his rod. No doubt you have similar techniques for crossing shallow rivers on your survival courses.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Very cool!

[@dropshot1967]

Cool video and great idea. To really help preserve the wood, you will need more than one application of oil. Especially old pieces like this that are dried out, will soak up the oil from the first few applications. I know that for boiled linseed oil (another cheap oil used to preserve wood tools) a rule of thumb for application is: every day for a week, every week for a month.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, it's very similar to how you treat axe handles.

[@_Steve___O___]

Moin moin... Gute Arbeit ,gefällt Mir..👍😎 Greets ,Stephan from Kiel ,North Germany.... 🤘😁

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@pinetree9343]

Another nice simple project

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@linkadrip]

I always enjoy your videos.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@ecttreker9816]

Great looking project 👍👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@algoneby]

Good Video ! Great Quality too !

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@peterbailey6930]

Another great video James. I'm going to try making a stick

[@WayPointSurvival]

Go for it!

[@illmade2]

If you're not worried about giving it an old timey look, a bit of pvc pipe works well for a ferrule, and a simple cord wrap will work for handle if you can't find a bicycle hand grip. Also, you can get a similar camp style knife for around 20 dollars, from Rough Rider, or Marbles, decent quality, good value.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good ideas!

[@pasjeihobby]

Great litttle things done by self are most satysfying 👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes indeed!

[@harold42501]

I usually make mine from a hickory sapling, great for pushing brush and weeds back to check for snakes , noking down spider webs across the path or trail and makes a handy weapon against a aggressive dog

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent choice!

[@rickcooper156]

Great video, thanks again my friend!

[@WayPointSurvival]

You're welcome!

[@MikeMiller-rt7dv]

Great project!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you!

[@carlflippin9994]

Great ideas! But, IMO the stick is too light weight. It’s ok for light use, but I prefer one about 1 1/4” in diameter- hickory. I like it to hold my body weight if necessary. Rake handles are easily broken. With xtra thickness you can hollow out and carry fire starting materials or a fishing kit. I’ve made several heavy duty ones using your idea for copper cap and lanyard for the hand.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@bikecommuter24]

I made one last year my Mom who passed away two years ago planted an Eastern Red Bud tree in her front yard needed trimming after cutting it back i made one of the limbs into a walking stick I sanded it smooth used a propane torch to darken the wood and add some character, then sealed it with Thompson’s Water Seal and made a wrist strap with paracord.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Cool knife! I still have my first scout knife from when I was 10 . Lol 1975

[@WayPointSurvival]

Excellent!

[@DaliwolfBacon]

Very cool! I think I can make one of these :) ❤

[@WayPointSurvival]

Go for it!

[@StevenSkidmore-hw8dg]

Nice , I like it , thinks for this good video , have a great blessed day AMEN .

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you! You too!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you! You too!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Cool walking stick

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks!

[@sineriafrankenstein7316]

Awesome!! Great project:) Thanks!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Glad you like it!

[@sineriafrankenstein7316]

@@WayPointSurvival OHHHHHH!! Ever since watching one of your videos where you had an antique silver matchbox holder I'd been searching for one that was affordable and which I loved. Well lucky me,I made a bid at an estate sale on a lot that included 9 antique/ vintage pocket knives, 1 mini brass microscope for looking at bugs and flora samples and one GORGEOUS silver matchbox holder - the kind with the flip open lid. Exactly what I wanted!! $29 for the whole lot! SCORE!!!!

[@petepete66]

Maybe you can use this stick also as fishing stick … 😜👍✌️🍀🔥

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good idea!

[@mrkultra1655]

Great project James. Looks like it’s been a little hot over in Ohio too.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Quite warm Indeed!

[@gerhoefsmit8015]

Another great inspiring video and......... sorry.......... have to run to my hobbyshed ! 🙂

[@WayPointSurvival]

Go for it!

[@HarshmanHills]

Lots of uses for that

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed!

[@charlesrainey6830]

Could also wrap the handle with paracord.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Yes, but that really wouldn't be appropriate for the 1920s.

[@orbitalair2103]

Paracord can be abrasive depending on the manufacturer. Also not period correct.

[@wyattdean5658]

... or wet leather cord and dry.

[@lowrangeoverland9013]

Outstanding 💯

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thank you so much!

[@BobbysWorld_of_Art]

I truly enjoy youryour videos ❤

[@WayPointSurvival]

Thanks so much!

[@adventurersclub1]

Great DIY project, I remember seeing hiking staffs a lot in the past. Some of them had elaborate carvings but unfortunately today everyone only uses these fiberglass sticks.

[@WayPointSurvival]

Indeed.

[@Oldsparkey]

Won't say I'm old , even though I am. I have the same tools in my workshop that you used in this demonstration. Use to use them a lot when I was a kid helping my Dad. For some reason I never did get the adjustment right on that screwdriver for some reason. Only thing I can think of is that Dad keep changing it playing games on me but I can't swear to it.

[@WayPointSurvival]

I like old tools for sure!

[@jorgenclarke5930]

Great video!😊👍

[@WayPointSurvival]

Much appreciated!