Pimp My Staff- Walking Stick Maintenance, Decoration and Optimisation- Alpine Ferrule, Burn Designs

[@xGSFxGoat]

Another way to preserve the wood if you don't have access to linseed oil is to blacken the surface wood and then use a metal brush to take off the excess char so your hands don't stain. This is a historical Japanese method called Yakisugi. The fire hardens the wood, and the char coating acts like a fire retardant and minimizes rot by repelling insects and water. I like doing this method because it's free, it's simple and easy, and it lasts plenty long enough for a staff. If desired, you can also add linseed oil to further preserve the wood.

[@jamesmayou1361]

Im three years late but on the off chance that you get this reply, how would you recommend charring a staff? All the yakisugi resources on line refer to wooden planks for housing, and prescribe a certain way to stack them over a fire, but for a single pole I’m a little lost. Is it as simple as putting it in a fire or is it more involved?

[@xGSFxGoat]

@@jamesmayou1361 A propane or butane torch works well for smaller items because it gives you good control and consistency over how deep you want to burn the wood. I generally aim to convert the first 1/16" to 3/32" of outer wood to charcoal, then brush off whatever will fall off. That way you have a thick enough layer to protect the wood underneath, but you also don't take off too much wood and weaken what you're trying to protect.

[@Dreemer94]

​@jamesmayou1361 maybe you could try a butane torch of some kind. I seen a video of a guy doing it to preserve tables and other furniture he was making.

[@deavyhick6803]

​@jamesmayou1361 I used the burner from my camp stove. I've seen youtubers used a camp fire to harden the ends of wood.

[@rickyshultz2051]

If I don’t build a crazy staff , I at least fire hardened the tip , it’s pretty easy , your sitting at a fire anyway poke the fire around with it get it burning, rid it on the fire ring rock let it cool and repeat , it will make the tip pretty durable.

[@pedroclaro7822]

The thing about the original viral walking staff video was, for me at least, that you noticed something as you said "primitive" about us humans - like an instinct that makes us notice and want straight, slim and rugged sticks that we could have used as weapons in ancestral time. Once I heard you say that I was hooked! Also, great speaking skills, it makes you easy to listen to, and interesting. I hope this help you some, love your content.

[@xiiinosceteipsum]

The caves you fear to enter, hold the treasures you seek!

[@FandabiDozi]

exactly!

[@hmdragon1638]

terrible advise lest you hire an adventure to take care of any bears.

[@MandalorianSuperCommando]

@@hmdragon1638 I see your point. Would you go into a place you feared unprepared though?

[@marcopohl4875]

@@hmdragon1638 So, who's the adventurer in the analogy? A therapist?

[@ratpython93]

I love my staff. I've been carving the faces of beardy wise old men all the way down and it looks like something you'd do a ritual with :D

[@FandabiDozi]

amazing!!

[@n-signia1087]

I don’t CARVE much but I do a lot of woodburning designs into tomahawk handles and things like that with an old soldering iron.

[@nelly5954]

If you're new to whittling, I thoroughly recommend the beardy old wise man. It takes ten minutes to learn, ten minutes to make your first one, and 5 once you get good at it.

[@ianwhittington1276]

@@FandabiDozi any tips for beginners? I am staining some Osage tree wood (very very strong) that I've made look nice. What steps should I take?

[@OldNavajoTricks]

One eye patched or 'scarred over' would make it Ođin...

[@squarecoffee8750]

I love this channel and the history aspect! Hopefully the youtube algorithm gods pick you and this blows up!

[@FandabiDozi]

You think the algorithm gods would be pleased with a sacrifice? Fetch me a goat!! haha

[@sheriffofsocktown1986]

I wanted to thank you for inspiring me and my son to get out on the trail! Ever since watching your videos, my son has harvested a young tree from our backyard (a volunteer maple that needed out of our fenced edge), stripped and carved it, and is practicing his own moves in the backyard and forest. It’s great to see him discovering himself, and I am excited to have a hiking and camping companion. Thank you for all your wonderful content

[@VandrefalkTV]

You know, I could listen to this guy talking about his staff/staves all day long, and the passion for them. More, more, more!! :D I love making my own, and you've been a great inspiration in the manner! So thank you, YET again! :D

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks mate! I am always surprised people like the staff videos, but i like making them so its good to know :)

[@franotoole2702]

For the crack on the top, just soak the whole tip in thin super glue. Will keep it together no prob. Oak is notorious for getting shakes or cracks, or whats called feathering, where the grain starts to lift up like the ends of feathers

[@radicalgreek99]

Yeah also dipping in epoxy resin and then sanding it when it's done.

[@elijahbriggs7719]

Hah I just found a perfect stick im going to turn into a staff that was beside a river after a s flood. Great timing for a post lol. This is great dude!

[@FandabiDozi]

Fantastic! It was the universe aligning to make the perfect stick!

[@Jen999]

So clear it is watching this video.. the beautiful connection you have with your staves.. beautiful to see, that🌹 And the improvement you made to the appearance of the Jo staff is amazing.. this looks reborn.. especially the resin at the top.. and will provide you with many more years of service.. These videos are enlightening to watch.. as the love you have for your way of life permeates so deeply.. and the joy in your expression when you had restored both staves and fitted them with the useful spikes.. was so inspiring to see.. we cried 😭❣️ We hope you will continue doing these videos with the staves.. there is something so surreal and special about how they connect you with the world you love.. creating a bridge between that and the world you live in.. allowing you to cross freely between.. We love your channel .. we are quite new and realize there is so much yet to explore.. a journey we are so looking forward to.. Thank you for making these awesome videos.. both they.. and you.. are ardently appreciated🌱 William and Jen💜💙🌱🌹🙏

[@williambeasley2582]

My grandchildren and great grandchildren call my staff the. Stick O Magic. It was given to me by a good friend over 20 years ago. Nave a great day and a better tomorrow.

[@williamhale8162]

That spike is a good idea. Might have to make one. I put some racks to mark depth on one side up to two feet so I dont go over my boots.

[@shawnhowe7311]

Smart 24"

[@xxxxxx5868]

You really have good timing, I just got into the quarterstaff, which is kind of a niche subject and here you are uploading an entire series about staffs. These videos are so useful bro, keep it up

[@BrazosWalkingSticks]

When you come to the US, make sure you stop into central Texas, we'd love to host you, Fandabi!

[@gps8958]

Hello Tom, try Danish oil. It penetrates and protects wood while keeping it durable. People in the slingshot community use it on natural forks.

[@FandabiDozi]

Cool, I will try in the future :)

[@markkieran1004]

Or walnut oil. You can use what's left in a salad dressing

[@danwilliams93]

This video has arrived in good timing. I’m half way through working on my hazel stick and the problem I have is spending too much time humming and hawing on what decoration to put with it. Thanks for the inspiration Tom

[@FandabiDozi]

Yeah understandable. Took me two years to burn the celtic design in it. Doesnt matter to wait intil you are inspired by something though :)

[@bgurtek]

The Celtic design looks great. Another good exterior-use wood finish is a linseed & tung oil mix cut with mineral spirits.

[@MichaelJBurnsII]

I don’t have good access to hardwood branches that would be the right straightness or size near where I live, so I went to the hardware store and bought a 6 ft long hardwood dowel that should work pretty well for a walking staff. Just need to sort of customize it similar to things you have done to yours. Thanks for the videos!

[@FandabiDozi]

Yeah fare enough mate. Hardwood dowel will do you fine. Make sure there is no joints where they have fitted two pieces together though. That could be a week spot to break.

[@SaludyPlata]

Good stuff again! What you could do to customize it is fitting a pure copper or brass (brass is harder to shape and less effective against microbes) handle to the top of the staff. A piece of a regular copper tube of similar diameter cut to the desired length (I did mine with 31cm) can be pulled ower the staff leaving a couple of centimeters to hang over, than you can easily hammer the overhanging portion of the tube down to close it completely. Again, pure copper is very easy to shape by hammering even on room temperature, but one can heat it a bit over a fire to make it even more workable. It adds a lot of character to a staff (it can later be engraved too), + helps keep the user's hand relatively clean/desinfected just by holding it. I find it very useful during long hikings - it spares me of a lot of worrying.

[@crazygoatlady4287]

I've only just discovered your channel and I did subscribe. My husband and I both love your fascinating video's. Thank you for taking us for a walk back in our ancestral history. Much respect from Canada.

[@burneraccount9214]

I've watched 5 of your videos in a row all the way through and was sad when they ended. You hands down make the most interesting content on youtube. It's a pain to me that we would have never been friends

[@falkharvard8722]

Add charcoal powder to your linseed oil and watch it age 10 years in seconds

[@FandabiDozi]

Interesting. I thought about staining it will a solution of iron nails soaked in vinegar, but decided to keep it natural in the end.

[@tJ9etBxDq5VdSj2]

a tiger beer singlet??? you'd make a good australian, mate!

[@FandabiDozi]

Hahaha! Got it in Vietnam

[@tJ9etBxDq5VdSj2]

then you probably saw a lot of my countrymen on cheap holidays doing dodgy shit ;)

[@FandabiDozi]

@@tJ9etBxDq5VdSj2 Hahaha! Yes, but plenty of UK embarrassments as well! :)

[@taintedunicorn3551]

@@tJ9etBxDq5VdSj2 oh ye na na ye, gittin a facken ripstart wuz ya?

[@jacquec9768]

I found the wood i used for my staff in a dumster after some landscapers took down a poplar tree. I always leave a top branch nub at the top of mine to help me reach top branches when i wild craft fruit etc. The nub holds my lantern at base camp as in the desert proper there are no trees to hang it on.

[@jprice21144]

It's been years but I remember using a product called "norot" that turns wood to rock.

[@IodoDwarvenRanger]

cool tip about the wax, I have a stick that's basically straight off the tree but I've been cutting patterns into the bark for years, now that I've run out of space I might have to make something else

[@Andy-1968]

Enjoyed your video 👏 I'm just in the middle of giving my first ever staff a few coats of linseed oil, after watching your video's you have inspired me to have a go, so thank you so much 👍 I will try to post a photo of it when it's done (if your interested) thank you once again. Take care & Stay safe my friend 🙂👍

[@FandabiDozi]

Awesome mate! Yeah please share it on instagram. Link to my account in video description

[@williamthegriffin6185]

Just found your channel 2 days ago. Really enjoy the history. My blood runs to the Shetland island. Once this virus passes I hope to make and use my own staff. Keep the videos coming! Be safe

[@fightingfaerie]

I'm so glad KZbin recommended me your staff video, your channel is exactly what I'm interested in. I've always liked sticks and finding the perfect walking stick. When I joined the SCA and developed my persona (a 10th century Norse-Gael from Ireland) I decided she would carry a walking stick, not just for travel and balance, but also self defense. I think that also translated into my interest in spears, as I decided to incorporate that into my persona as well and learn spear fighting. When you showed the staff sling in that video I was immediately very interested, I've already started buying supplies to make one myself.

[@grumpyolesilverback7211]

I made a walking staff out of the top of a beetle kill pine tree here in Alberta Canada. Damn beetles kill the tree and it stands there drying out. Once the tree is down cut the top 10 to 15 feet off the top. Pick your thickness and trim and strip the bark off. Strip the bark off at the tree site or burn it right away. Let’s not spread the beetles any further. I fire hardened the entire length. I drop it through my hand to hit concrete and it has a very nice ping sound to it. Very hard and solid. I left it wider at the top. Base of my cut.

[@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712]

Great for nordic walks on uneasy landscape.👍

[@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712]

👍

[@davidtaylor1725]

Just a quick note to let you know that your channel got a wee mention ( just a little remark but I thought it was cool so maybe you will) on radio Scotland this morning. It was on "Shereen" around 30 minutes in. Maybe you already know but I thought it was worth a mention. Your channel is great and is really inspiring me to get out there when the powers that be let me. Thanks dude X

[@Oswulf_Osulphus]

Hell wished you lived closer, i love survival and staff martial arts be fine to hang out, just distance in the way, keep it up friend and keep bringing the nice content for us

[@shawnhowe7311]

Well put

[@chrisbird4913]

Love the Young reference. I am glad there are still practical men around, we will need them in the dark times ahead.

[@the_orange_shepherd6938]

I mix 50/50 beeswax and linseed oil. It will harden again but if you heat it in a pot and then rub it in it will soak into the wood grain and then harden up. Take a heat gun to it for awhile to keep it warm and soaking in. I’ll do this 3 times and it takes forever to wear out.

[@LauraWickedMoon]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m about to make my first walking stick. I’ve always been fascinated with wood working, and this will be my first attempt. I do lots of different kinds of crafts, and just an FYI, you can buy transfer paper at just about any craft or art store. So you if you find a design (I love Celtic designs as well), you can use a light box app for your phone to trace it and then transfer it to where you want it! Thanks again! I’ll update you with my progress!

[@DrogowitPomorski]

Oi mate, Love yer' country, staff looks fan dabby dozy, ney breeks just yer kilt me man, worked in Scotland for 5 years and I miss the country now! All the best from Polska :)

[@donhuntsberger9153]

Nice video. What I use of Wood handled tools as well as walking and hiking sticks, 3 parts boiled linseed oil, one part turpentine. Caution, wipe off excess in day or two, until it wears, the mixture will give a slight warth to the hand.

[@leemcgann6470]

In the US we have Harbor Freight stores... their store brand super glue is very good! & great price!

[@trollmcclure1884]

superglue cracks, peels off, turns into dust. Two part epoxy resin should be better. You can work it with a chisel, sand it. I found mine to be made of the infamous toxic bisphenol A tho. So I'm looking for some non-toxic, more natural variety

[@aphillips1987]

dont miss my hiking staff collection video, I have since raised my total to over 230 and updated every staff with new wraps and new hand-rubbed oil finishes.

[@calebwatson4505]

You could soften and hammer a copper pipe cap on the end of any future staves to help prevent cracking

[@karltriebel4262]

Thanks for the tip about beeswax, I’ll do that on my re-enactment spear!

[@bigboss-tl2xr]

As wood coatings go, any oil is better than no oil. I recommend Walnut oil. I have used it for years on my knife handles, bows, and cutting boards. It basically forms a waterproof coating and doesn't go rancid.

[@klivityloja3067]

I ordered 3 gorgeous Ethiopian Christian Crosses which I mounted on to carved/stained staff with superglue. The power these hold is mighty. Each designed unique. Almost Gaelic. What an amazingly great time putting these together. Nice vid brother. Keep Creating! Ganjarado, USA

[@waylandwarner7727]

Looks like something a wizard would carry, which you would because you're so good at survival. Good job man.

[@rodneymiddleton1044]

Well done Tom , i used to have a nice solid martial arts staff years back too they are good to have around .

[@nathanpayne8757]

This is awesome. I grew up carving wooden spears and walking sticks in the woods in Texas, but I am only just now trying to do a little more than a shaved stick.

[@dustinbesser4780]

man you just keep doing what you're doing. fantastic stuff

[@WannabeWoodsman]

I make my own tool handles and one thing I was taught from an older guy was to soak your tool handle in linseed oil, or your desired oil, by holding it under the oil with some weights for a given time usually a period of days or weeks

[@seblevesque5604]

Don't worry about imperfections on the staff. It's an extension of you and therefore unique to you.

[@nilsschenkel7149]

Maybe you're familiar with the 'Bergstock' , a stick about 2.5 metres traditionally used in the alpine region. A 19th century hunting manual I read recommended you fit your stick with a steel tip on one and a rubber tip on the other end, so you can just turn your stick upside down to make less noise if necessary.

[@j.r3987]

if you slip with the spike upward you're liable to get impaled

[@nilsschenkel7149]

@@j.r3987 Thats unlikely to happen with a stick that stands a good bit taller than you

[@j.r3987]

@@nilsschenkel7149 very true. I'd still be wary when going downhill though

[@joelrampersad1359]

I always cut a new walking stick during my 3-4 day hikes. They are always quite heavy due to being green. I will make up my own staff from now.

[@iamrichrocker]

in the age of pandemic, would you consider doing a video on how they dealt with disease/sickness...wounds..etc..stay safe and healthy..and happy lad..

[@bongothom]

I just discovered your channel...I think I'll be binge-watching it for the next couple of days. Great stuff, thanks for posting.

[@gordonlawrence1448]

That has definitely given me some ideas. Here's an idea in return. I have a cheap and nasty staff which is basically a broom handle. I rounded the top end a fair bit then used about 5mm thick epoxy to make sure it would not split. The next process was another 4mm or so of two part rubber over that so the epoxy will not chip. I used a urethane rubber. It's a bit iffy over time in bright sunlight but it can peel off and be replaces if you do it right.,

[@oo7naughtyusmaximus933]

While i was touring NZ, i found a piece of driftwood on the beach. I cleaned it up and put it in the van. When the time came to leave NZ, my girlfriend expected me to leave it behind.....no chance.....It went with me to Tonga...Samoa....America and finally back to the UK. 14 years has passed since then, although i no longer have the girlfriend....i still have that piece of driftwood.....it has made a fine walking staff and many a mile we have travelled.

[@ossian1937]

I had that same model of guitar strap, but I ,(with a wee bit Stanley knife jiggery-pokery !), turned mine into a strap for my homemade sporran. ...brilliant idea using it as a stencil though! Might nick that idea myself.😈

[@Oswulf_Osulphus]

im glade to see more from you, thank you for the upload

[@browpetj]

Another good hardening agent for maintaining integrity of split or rotting wood is cyanoacrylate (the original and inexpensive superglue formulation). Bonsaists use this to maintain and protect deadwood to varying degrees of success depending on the species. The viscosity is such that it absorbs deep into the wood. It is also more hydroscopic (more like water) than epoxy from a chemical standpoint. The celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignins in wood are evolved to move water quickly and efficiently even if the wood is dead. A wood like oak with large pores will suck it up super fast. If you keep humidity down during the application it will penetrate the deepest. Thick epoxy will sit on the surface, more like a varnish.

[@StewartFotheringham08]

I've got a spear and staff in one

[@pedroclaro7822]

That sounds coll, but how does it work? isn't it just a spear you use like a staff? xD Can I see it? :D

[@silviaf2725]

So, you've got a spaff😂

[@StewartFotheringham08]

@@pedroclaro7822 yeah pretty much

[@astrobreaux]

super glue works better than most epoxies for this kind of use. it will soak in deep and make the end really solid. myself and many other flute makers use it as a wood finish on the foot and mouthpiece of our flutes to help keep it from splitting if you drop it. it also shines up easy like lacquer.

[@brggmc]

Great video, Thanks! Those Alpine Ferrules are also known as 'Rock Spikes'. It's worth noting that some cheaper ones on the market seem to be made of very soft mild steel, and wear down quickly, so try to avoid those; I've made my own from slightly tougher stuff which keeps a point quite well, and threaded them to suit a semi-hard fibre cover, crosshatched on the end face as a pavement grip for the odd occasion.

[@sean.r5435]

Never expected the modern highlander to be reading thinkers like Carl Jung, actually very impressed lol.

[@Chris-wp8po]

Another fantastic video! Have you ever heard of a fokos? It's an eastern European small axe walking stick combo. Not use much anymore, but still an interesting idea.

[@derekstynes9631]

Nice Pimping and yes You are right about the oil been very much better on both staff's .

[@johan.ohgren]

Sword attachment next to make it a claive style weapon. Add your Highlander outfit and you'll be set.

[@trollmcclure1884]

When you say sword you mean a halberd head, dont you? 🙂

[@johan.ohgren]

@@trollmcclure1884 yes

[@malus1940]

Try applying 50/50 mixture of Pine Tar and Turpentine to the next wood staff you make. Let it cook in the sun for a few sunny days or help it in with a heat gun and then make a second application. Let it soak again and then apply a boiled linseed oil coat if you don't like how the staff sticks.

[@Bralph888]

Shalom, pine pitch, pine resin are amazing options for replacing that poison dirty toxic resin on the cap of your staff, and amazing first aid, its glue for your cuts and burns, splinters and infections and tooth problems. Shalom akiem

[@trailtrashoutdoors8173]

Neat project!! Definitely enjoyed the video😁 I like the linseed oil as well over the varnish. Looks way more natural and seems to be better for the wood. You have inspired me to look for a sapling for my own staff! Much live -TTO

[@DanielDroegeShow]

Great video. I think a better point for the end would be a very shallow, perhaps only 1/8 inch for safety. Then it could step up in diameter in concentric circles several times to give you additional contact edges on uneven rocky terrain. Next time, try burning out the white parts of the paper transfer instead of the black and it might turn out better for you, but it looks great this way too.

[@robertryden8036]

One way to seal the staff from the weather, and strengthen it from splits and cracking. There is an old way of soaking the staff in hot raw unfiltered bees wax for at least two days per inch of thickness. "THAT" is the fun part. Keeping the wax HOT, not warm and covering the wood. Let the wax cool until just below liquid state then remove the staff and stand it straight up for two days. This allows the wax to cool evenly inside the wood. It also keeps the staff straight until cooled. If there is an unwanted bend. This is the time to brace it and bend it straight. We call these "Wax Wood Bo's". They are nearly indestructible, flexible, and hard hitting. Note. Do any decorations prior to waxing.

[@marksadventures3889]

Good moves with the Celtic Knotwork design and the Ferrule. I did some Bo Ken in my youth but studied Wing Chun instead.

[@Rainbow-nn3rl]

Oh my God of course you need a spike a spike will stick into sand and dirt and even grasp rocks really nicely and I keep mine very sharp

[@jeremiah5313]

I discovered Tiger Beer in Singapore years ago. Still buy it when I can find it.

[@marthachampagne316]

quick few suggestions 1) you could have used something akin to a through pin and clip to attach the alpine furrle instead of screws to get it on and off faster and without the need for a screwdriver, 2) wood-burning kits are cheap and tend to give much better results than a soldering iron, and 3) you can easily find designs to wood-burn on the internet that you just need to print to the right scale. also these days if someone is within strike range of your staff and not part of your household a nice soft rubber tip to prod them out of your personal space may be a good idea...

[@JimCliffe]

Epoxy can be thinned with toluene to allow it to soak into damaged wood. A crack , like your jo stick, or rot can be treated nicely.

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

Great video! Thanks for discussing the metal tip. Great for winter hiking in snow & ice.

[@hypnotic-design]

I have done a few Jo from thai tree I find in Thailand but doesn't know the name. But my preferred one is rattan Bo that my teacher bought from a china town shop in Bangkok, it is super flexible but solid at the same time. The flexibility gives a lot of snap and return of energy actually and it is hard enough at the same time so we can fight together without fear of breaking it. I burned design on it as well as reference for hand positions.

[@leemcgann6470]

Getting the wood& your linseed oil hot with a heat gun it can also do a bit of healing the dents & get the wood fibers to swell back up

[@gnollman]

Ha! I thought I recognized those staff kata. Good to hear you're an aikidoka as well.

[@hundwyn7530]

You should redo your Latin phrase in either Scottish Gaelic or a northern dialect of Old English, depending on your ancestry :D with the appropriate alphabet (futhorch or ogham). Give you a more primal connection to it :D

[@seanmiz6539]

You could probably even look on places like Kult of Athena for spear butt caps that would fill the need for a heavy duty spike

[@range8533]

Now all you need is a decent “sling” some leather armour and your “FanDabby” Ready 👍

[@Khalagata]

Boiled Linseed Oil is also food safe, but what they sell in stores under that name is not BOILED Linseed Oil. Boiling the oil takes time so manufacturers use chemical additives to imitate all the advantages boiling gives linseed oil. That stuff isn't food safe at all. The old adage about using boiled linseed oil on a new bare wood project says: "apply once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year and then once a year for life." Good video. =)

[@jackvoss5841]

A useful lower tip for walking staffs is a crutch tip, or a cane tip. They are made to grip a surface, and are available in pharmacies. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@matthewdaniel6045]

Who thumbs this down? This is awesome.

[@FandabiDozi]

haha! I never understand why. Sticks can't be that insulting right!?

[@matthewdaniel6045]

Right! There's never a time where I don't have one in the house. My family all have apple tree walking sticks And I have an ash cudgel at the door.

[@Odinssohn111]

in medival-shops you can find endcaps with sharper points for spears.

[@williamstamper5395]

Liked, with the idea.of course I have to use the strong arm cane., cheers!

[@michaelheurkens4538]

Try Lee Valley in Canada for those cane tips. They had two sizes. Cheers.

[@rubiconoutdoors3492]

Something funny about varnish, varnish on axe handles are supposed to be scraped off. Its very hard and it hurts your hands. You scrape it off and do the lin seed oil.

[@freeholdtacticalmed]

Sand the epoxy and re-apply. It’ll be harder and smoother and you’ll be less likely to knock off that flake. Consider varnish over epoxy for UV protection (sailboat owner). Nice staffs. I like the alpine ferrules. Consider cutting the head of the screw off and peening it down. Smoother but permanent.

[@hugh_jasso]

I've wanted to put a shake-light mechanism on the bottom end of a staff to light an led through a crystal on the top.... Ever since watching LOTR.

[@willywantoknow2563]

I've discovered saskatoon makes and awesome walking stick.. very fiberous like bamboo and hard like an iron rod.

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Nice video. For fixing a potential split you might like to try CA glue (superglue) , if you use the thin stuff it will wick right into the crack, that said your epoxy fix looks pretty bomber.

[@SandyRiverBlue]

A quick stop by the plumbing department of your local hardware store and for almost no money at all you can pick up some heavy-duty piping and all the tools you'll need to cut it to size and fit it to your stick. On the side note. I met a gentleman in Washington State who had fitted his walking stick with a very small, but powerful flash-bulb, rechargeable battery, and photo-electric array. Apparently, the area he liked to walk occasionally had cougars and per him, he has had to use it to scare off predators more than once. His stick was a slick little number, very light willow with a natural knob on the end that made it look like a wizard's staff and the bulb and array were nicely hidden behind a composite marble the size of a golf ball. Apparently, the dude was an engineering student and something of a fantasy nerd and said something along the lines of, "well, with all of our modern technology, we are wizards, we're just not doing anything cool with it". Pretty impressive, to me at least. The dude said that the staff he was currently working on would put this one to shame. I'm very curious about what form that will take, but unfortunately, I never saw him again.

[@knightshousegames]

I've read some quarter staffs had a steel ring on the top, as a bit of an extra striking aid and a weight, perhaps it also serves the same purpose as that string/epoxy thing you're doing as well, except even stronger

[@shanetaylor2086]

I thought: oil protects the staff, but what if the ferrule end is consistently moist? Won't that infiltrate through the wood through the screw hole? what if you took the ferrule off and soaked that end of the staff in linseed oil, and then screwed it back on? I think that would offer some additional lifespan.

[@ragnkja]

If you're worried about that, you could always take off the ferrule and soak the end in linseed oil to impregnate the wood, if not to the centre then at least as far as water is likely to reach.

[@taskro3558]

Since the staff might be too long to carry in a car, how would you feel about the idea of a break-down staff?

[@ArthurStickland]

You could tie a Turks head knot for the lashings. Add to the knot work look.

[@achilliaroberso9366]

Really enjoyed watching this, loved the design you put on there , awesome video and informative, thanks for sharing. Stay safe.