Ah, I see that, now. WV, then.:D
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I can't speak for others, but for myself, I prefer a "solid" staff for two reasons. First, most lighter weight woods don't have the physical strength needed if it has to be truly used to bear weight or hold a load.
Second, as a martial artist, I prefer something that has enough mass to do some damage when swung, as opposed to something lighter/faster/less mass that will just bounce off when it makes connection.
One of the main reasons I've avoided trekking poles so far is that they tend to be "single use only"...I can use them for hiking, but they'd be fair useless if I had to fend something off with them.
I've been trying to come up a solution that I like that balances all of my criteria. :)
I called my local martial arts store and they have a 5' rattan staff for $20 and I dug up an old pair of crutches in a closet so I can take the end cap plus have a spare to boot. Looks like I'm getting out of this cheaply.
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I have made several great walking sticks from the tops of dead pine trees. Every year we go to a X-Mas tree farm to cut down a tree. There are always a few dead, downed trees around. Cut off desired length, whittle off the bark, carve an area to wrap with paracord for a grip, wipe it down with linseed oil, wrap the paracord, drive a nail into the bottom end (cut off the head of the nail and drive it pointy side out) and then cover with a rubber tip from the hardware store.
They are light, strong, straight and cheap!
I purchased a 5' Rattan staff and made a DIY hiking staff. I have a few pictures in an album on my page.
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I've heard good things about Brazos Walking Sticks:
http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/
Someone suggested to me to look for used golf clubs and converting them to hiking poles.
Check these out.
http://performxbymarsh.com/