I've done a considerable amount of hiking with my sons over the past 30
years. The hiking sticks that we found to be our favorites were cut from
bamboo (we still have them). They are very strong, very light weight, and
hold up for years. Don't worry about any lengthwise cracks that appear as
they dry out. The cracks don't seem to affect their strength at all. A
little plastic electrical tape around the last few inches at each end holds
the ends together and provides a comfortable hand grip. Look for pieces that
are 3/4 to 1 inch diameter. The best length to cut them seems to be about
eye level of the hiker that will be using them. Cut them so that a rib of
the bamboo is left very close to each end of the stick. You can find bamboo
at many lumber yards and sporting goods stores, but you usually have to ask
for it as they don't seem to keep it out on display. I bought some and got
2 hiking sticks from each. The smaller diameter top section is ideally
suited for the younger hikers.
--
Charley
My neighbor planted a stand of bamboo next to the fence line. %$#@~&*^%$#
Maybe I should go into hiking stick production.
I like sassafras for hiking sticks.
"Charley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:rOI%b.36387$%[email protected]...
> I've done a considerable amount of hiking with my sons over the past 30
> years. The hiking sticks that we found to be our favorites were cut from
> bamboo (we still have them). They are very strong, very light weight, and
> hold up for years. Don't worry about any lengthwise cracks that appear as
> they dry out. The cracks don't seem to affect their strength at all. A
> little plastic electrical tape around the last few inches at each end
holds
> the ends together and provides a comfortable hand grip. Look for pieces
that
> are 3/4 to 1 inch diameter. The best length to cut them seems to be about
> eye level of the hiker that will be using them. Cut them so that a rib of
> the bamboo is left very close to each end of the stick. You can find
bamboo
> at many lumber yards and sporting goods stores, but you usually have to
ask
> for it as they don't seem to keep it out on display. I bought some and
got
> 2 hiking sticks from each. The smaller diameter top section is ideally
> suited for the younger hikers.
>
> --
> Charley
>
>
Charley wrote:
> I've done a considerable amount of hiking with my sons over the past 30
> years. The hiking sticks that we found to be our favorites were cut from
> bamboo (we still have them). They are very strong, very light weight, and
> hold up for years. Don't worry about any lengthwise cracks that appear as
> they dry out. The cracks don't seem to affect their strength at all. A
> little plastic electrical tape around the last few inches at each end holds
> the ends together and provides a comfortable hand grip.
Heh heh... it's not just strength you need to be concerned with. Those little
splits can be razor sharp! Wrap any area you're likely to hold. I made the
mistake of driving a couple of bamboo citronella tiki torches into the dirt in
my back yard bare handed. *That* was a mistake.
--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
[email protected]
http://www.mortimerschnerd.com