The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Knives & Blades => Topic started by: alfsauve on May 27, 2020, 01:53:38 PM
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I have had this idea about a walking stick that was more for EXPLORING than just walking.
There are a number of such commercial ones out there, but I had some ideas I wanted to explore.
HOOK: Besides having a pokeie thingie on the end I wanted a hook. I just thought a hook would be useful to grab and pull things to me. A hook strong enough that it would hold me up.
HAND HOLD: If there's a hook and I anticipate need to lift myself up with it, then the grip needs designed to allow a good grip.
SLING: While out exploring there are times the stick gets in the way and having a sling would be a useful way to carry the stick when I need hands-free. (Okay, yes it was inspired by Rey in Starwars.)
So I present Version 3.
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Nice.
Is that Oak ?
Never thought of hauling myself up anything but that hook would be perfect for getting the stew and coffee kettles off the fire. ;D
I don't know your thinking on it, but while I would not leave a sling on it, it's a darned handy option to have available.
Learning THAT from that new "Pistol". No swivels, and the shroud is to small for M-loc or Key Mod. WTF ?
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I did steal the hook from a fireplace poker. Was intending to design one myself maybe commissioning a blacksmith to make it. I have a good piece of steel but don't have the tools to cut it.
Again, good intentions, I was going to laminate my own staff, but for the time being that's just a garden tool pole. I did give it some shape and stain it to look uh.. different.
The sling is held on with quick disconnects so easily removable and stowable. It does get in the way at times.
Version 4 will include either a second rail or a much longer first rail. I want the ability to mount a light to use for night trekking.
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Nothing wrong with using a tool handle .
Why waste time and effort on unneeded work getting to diameter when you can use that time on the actual product ? ;D
Shovel and rake handles are just about ready for cutting to length. ;D
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Nothing wrong with using a tool handle .
Why waste time and effort on unneeded work getting to diameter when you can use that time on the actual product ? ;D
Shovel and rake handles are just about ready for cutting to length. ;D
I agree 100%: if it works, it isn't wrong. I use tool handles for my pila (Roman-style throwing spears).
Dirty Bob
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Pila ? Sounds like there is definitely a story there . ;D
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The pilum (pila is the plural) was the spear of Rome. Mine are a simplified version, with a tool handle, wrapped in glue-soaked cord for a grip and to prevent splitting. The business end is a long piece of round stock — 18 to 30 inches, maybe — cold-forged into a rough leaf shape at the tip. The steel’s epoxied into the haft, though it could be pinned.
When I get a chance, I’ll start a thread (with pics) on spears. Fun stuff!
Dirty Bob
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I'm REALLY looking forward to it.
Anything on historical weapons intrigues the heck out of me. ;D
My name is Tom, and I'm a Hoplojunkie .
(Beat THAT one Jeff Cooper ;D )
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Chunk of walnut I’ve been working on..
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Nice.
Well, I guess all my Photos are gone. Photobucket now requires a paid subscription. Ain't paying for what I agreed to as a FREE service.
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I use my phone and just post direct from the photo library.
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I've never been much for pictures so it isn't much loss.
I hadn't checked it in a couple years.
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I agree 100%: if it works, it isn't wrong. I use tool handles for my pila (Roman-style throwing spears).
Dirty Bob
That's something you don't hear about in everyday conversation. I saw a video where a pilum punched right though a wooden shield. IIRC there was another spear just like them but not as big and heavy.
As for walking sticks, I have a piece o' crap Cold Steel polypropylene knobkerrie "African walking stick". The ball on it just seems too big and I may see if I can chuck it in my brother's wood lathe and turn it down some. Maybe then it would be comfortable to hang onto. And I have a 4' rattan staff. It has some dark rings on it and looks like a dried out piece of grass on steroids. It reminds me of bamboo but instead of being hollow it's solid with lots of small fibers running through it. Smaller pieces of rattan are good for caning someone if they deserve it. Unlike wood, rattan bends, I don't know how far, without breaking. I wanted to show one of my friends so I brought it up to my knee and pulled with both hands. It bent and I heard a crack somewhere but didn't see any cracks. It's only an inch thick and I've broken good hardwood for the fire with that much effort. I rounded off the top and sanded it smooth, and I ground the bottom down to a taper small enough to get a crutch tip on.
When I walk around with my stick I know that no matter how hard I hit someone with it, it's still going to be in better shape than I am. But now I'm thinking about buying a tool handle and putting a hook on it. It's a long reach from the tailgate when you have an 8' bed and a fiberglass cap on a truck. Sometimes I can fish things out with the crutch tip on my walking stick but I need something longer. A folding hook that locks open and closed would be good if anyone knows of such a thing. Or if it stows on the side of the stick then attaches to the very end at 90 degrees when I need it would be great. I think it would be good for knocking Frisbees and apples out of trees too.
P.S. Keep on trekkin'. :)