As one of your viewers has already commented, in some states (such as California and Massachusetts) any cane or walking stick that does not have a horizontal handle can be considered a mace, is illegal, and can result in criminal charges. (Side note:Massachusetts also has outlawed double-edged knives!) Also, not a good idea to put your hand through the carry cord. If someone were to grab the walking stick and your whole hand is through the loop, they have a lot of leverage to pull you around and control you. It's much better to put only your thumb through the loop and have the loop, both sides, go across the back of your hand and attach to the stick. The cane is every bit as secure in your hand but you can instantly release it if necessary. [I am a former US Marine, military combat arms instructor, Federal Protective Service Police Officer, and Deputy US Marshal]
Great advice thank you! Where is a good place to find these laws? I see filled batons and things like that listed, but haven't found anything about canes / maces.
Just an opinion from a stranger on the internet! If you swing and miss you will be at a disadvantage. Don't swing a stick until the thing you are swinging at isn't looking at you. Use the end of the stick to keep the aggressive dog away from you. I have done this to great effect. If you feel the need to hit, hold the stick with both hands and hit with the end of the stick. That will cause discomfort to whatever you strike with this method.
When I hiked I found using two ski-poles really helped as it enabled this bi-pedal human to gain more stability, add upper-body strength to the walking effort, as well as setting gait. Started using two poles when hiking on snow-pack, then found they helped on dry trails as well.
I have a 5'6" shepherds hook walking stick, I've used it for decades, in all rockies states,,,it helped me get up many a mountain. I also have a 6' walking stick made by a beaver in Connecticut in 1971.
Very nice complete review on the tactical walking stick. Thank you. I am considering buying one and your professional review was very informative about the product.
Very interesting video showing those different kinds of hiking sticks. I like to carve hiking stick toppers and I'll attach them to poplar wood dowels you get at the home improvement store. The poplar is strong and light weight. But I usually like to stain it and add a coat or 2 of urethane. The toppers are more for decoration and just customizing a stick if you want to make a gift for a hiker. I like the sectional stick that you showed and may try to make one of those. Thanks for the video!
When I was in grade school and started backpacking with my father, he made us some walking sticks from aircraft aluminum tubing. He had some gadgets like hardened points and a coupler to join them together as a boat hook, and they served as our tent poles. But over time I went from not feeling a need to carry one, to needing one for a bad left knee. I also found I much prefer my natural sticks, made from Michigan shagbark hickory. I have one done in the usual "upside down" configuration, so fatter at the top. The other only worked well for my grip as a "rightside up" orientation, and I did a lot of grinding down the fat end to create a double-tapered shape which is overall a bit heavier despite being a little shorter. Both come above my shoulder making it easy to put a lot of weight on them with my arm folded, such that I am pulling down on the stick rather than pushing like a cane. They also allow me to anchor the tip behind myself and support my weight in the middle of the stick while descending a drop-off without much flex, or fear of breaking. I use standard rubber table leg tips on the bottom end.
@@BackcountryPilgrim Thank you! I guess one unique thing I left out is the shear beauty of the shagbark hickory bark. I keep the bark on, except on the tapered end of the "rightside up" stick. It is an ugly, gray look when natural, but when you sand down to a smooth-ish surface below, and apply a stain/sealer, I like a dark color like walnut, it is a cornucopia of brown tones, and a nice surface to grip as well. I use a brown Sharpie on the sides of my rubber tip to blend it in, as a white tip is just sacrilege.
I picked up a couple of the aluminum sticks for cheap (an overseas retailer.), before I saw this video. After playing around with them the past two days, I agree that these are not going to be great for hiking. I noticed a couple of other issues, beyond the ones you stated. 1. The "spear" and "knife" components (at leas on mine) came very, very dull. Yes, there are bevels/grinds there, but nothing more than cosmetic really. I have not tried sharpening one yet. 2. Being metal, the aluminum can become uncomfortable to pick up once it has laid in the sun for some time, or if it is cold, The heat transfer to your hands can be unpleasant at best and possible harmful at worst. However I think that using a couple of sections to have a survival-type "baton" in a vehicle might be the best use.
That nice sleek black 'cane' looks like a really nice piece. Very low key, but potentially an adequate deterrent. I mostly worry about other mean dogs while taking my dogs on walks.
As someone who both makes sticks and subject them to quite intensive use, I would warn that there are inherent weaknesses in multi part sticks that screw together, they will split at the joint if you put too much force on them or use them for whacking vegetation out of the way. You want something with collars that reinforce the joint. These days I make my multi part sticks with the joints from drain rods as they can stand a lot of abuse.
I just got the Prime tactical walking stick and all of your points are spot on. It's heavy, the tools are not that great and I wouldn't take it on long walks or hikes. But I like the solid build of it. I won't get rid if it, like you said it has it uses.
Consider: I have a Cold Steel City Stick (old one with the stainless steel knob). In some places, that’s a “bludgeon” and can get you arrested. I have an old stockman’s cane, very durable and useful, which I can take anywhere, even on a plane. A cane is a recognized medical mobility aid, not legally a weapon. Also: Cold Steel sells a pressed steel “battle axe” and a pressed steel “spetsnaz” or “Special Forces” camp shovel on the same handle. Both are equally effective melee weapons, but one is legally not a weapon.
@@BackcountryPilgrim ask your favorite legal eagle, but I believe it has to have the curved end to be a cane. BTW, a stockmane’s cane (mine is at least a century old) has a slightly larger curve. Check out Canemasters to learn a bit.👍
Concerning the spear head, the form indicates that it is more a harpoon-like tip than a regular spear. Harpoon tips commonly detach from the shaft and stay in the target with a line attached. With the hole through the stem of the spear, you could attach line or paracord to retrieve a fairly large fish if need be. I have always preferred to use the staff with the heavy end up. I find I prefer that balance.
As an avid hiker and prepper, I see the Forest Pilot 3-Piece Wood Walking Stick as a viable alternative to trekking poles. Everything else is useless and should only be used as a home/car backup to essential self-defense gear. More gimmick to need.
Thanks for your comment! To be clear, the title is not saying all three sticks have all three characteristics! Some may overlap on secondary features, but I was presenting each as having its own primary function. I don't see any of them as replacing trekking poles for their primary usage.
Minor point on those with O-Rings… LUBE THEM EVERY YEAR OR SO! Spray silicone, put a dab of Vaseline or whatever. I say this because if you want it to last, finding the correct size replacement ring can be hard to do. Some rust, and this small chore can mean the difference between it working or not. I’m only saying this as I had to throw away one of my “aluminum” walking sticks because the joints rusted closed and it was toast. (Yes, I know, aluminum doesn’t rust… hey it came from China.) 😊
Aluminum oxidizes The thin oxide coating protects it but without lube aluminum galls. It needs to be lubed when it is screwed together or even a tight sliding fit. Alumashield works best but is messy. You can try some penetrating oil on stuck pieces and you might get lucky.
@@NICEFINENEWROBOT - I might be confusing rust with oxidation, all I know is had I sprayed silicone or used anything to maintain the O-Rings and joints, it would have saved me a $100 walking stick. My point was just to be aware of the issue or risk and take a little preventative action. 🤠
@@kfsrmn - I’m sure you’re correct, oxidation. All I know is the joints sealed permanently and when I tried to use two opposing channel lock pliers the thing broke as in snapped the aluminum instead of opening the joint.
Not all spears are meant to be thrown. After all, when you throw your spear, you are temporarily getting rid of your weapon. It is far better in a life/death situation (the cougar on your hiking trail is taking too much interest in you) to use it as a thrusting weapon.
I love that aluminum walking staff with the tools. I seriously doubt our local airport security would let me through with it though. They once confiscated a key chain fob of mine explaining since it resembled a bullet it might be loadable. *sigh* They also confiscated my son's shaving equipment (no open blades). These guys are serious.
They seem cool, but I can never trust the actual quality and durability of those things. The individual tools are never going to be of any decent quality, and that it has to screw together means that as a stick, it is compromised. It will never be as durable as a simple solid wooden stick, and if you ever need to use to fend off an animal, you really don't want to bet on something like that that can break so easily.
Sticks from the Sotol plant stalks is durable and light. Some clear coating and tip protection required. Find the stalks in the southwest US. Wait for the stalk to stop flowering and dry out In the winter. Easy to personalize.
If you leave in the car, it's just bagage you didn't need. Best to acquire a stick for nature each time you go out. When you take a break, use your knife to make it into a work of art, and leave it behind for the next hiker.
Just ordered the raven. Light weight walking stick to replace my wooden one. The added benefit is deterring coyotes or mountain lions come to mind but really I don’t want to look like an old lady with a cane. I imagine I’ll be using this more with my walks that are important to maintain core strength as I have scoliosis and the crutch is sometimes truely necessary. Thanks for the elegant solution to ageing. A spritely 74 yo in San Diego 😅
I am 68 and have to use a cane sometimes...not too much leaning on it but to insure that my gait is steady and guard against falls. How flexible is the Raven? Is it too felxible to support someone ?
Great video, cold steel has some walking sticks as well that are supposed to be able to be used for self defense as well. With the aluminum one, I think there are many things like this including ones that have axe heads where I'm hesitant of the durability. With so many companies basically rebranding the same items it's not easy to know which company to trust. I have noticed a trend that in general, the more items something comes with the lower the quality in general at a given price point.
Agreed 100%! I looked at many of these on Amazon and went with the company that seemed to be the most robust (especially trying to avoid cheap Chinese crap). But I have also seen cottage companies selling theirs for over $800! That'd be a risky gamble IMO. :)
@@BackcountryPilgrim yes, those premium prices can be way too extreme sometimes. I've bought so many cheap things as a kid, now I hold out until I know it's worth paying for.
My walking stick I made. It is a 1-1/4" hardwood dowl with a short bayonet blade mounted on its end. The blade is covered for safety, by its hard sheath. If ever needed, the sheath is easily and quickly removed.
@@BackcountryPilgrim I live in an area with a lot of Black Bears. While not normally aggressive, mother bears are dangerous and you don't want to smell like food at all.
🗻thankyou very much Sir, it's really a lot of work, as my trecking stick had broke well actually, one of the two sticks broke into two pieces after it got sank into the ground. I have no idea of what happen. I mean seriously. I don't know what even happen, or how it even got into the ground, but it somehow did. we had tried to pull it out, but it literally never worked because we never knew about a simple trick. all we had to do, was the pull the stick up, while rotating it, gradually increasing in speed.
The black swift is seriously formidable and exactly what I was looking for... if it came a little longer. 48" would be perfect. I reached out, however, and they could not accommodate. Oh well.
@@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904, the tip is not removable, although it can be cut off if you need to replace it. James Campbell, the owner of Blackswift, sent me a free couple of tips. They need to be epoxied on when you replace one.
Hope that wasn't your wife's car window that you tested it on... If so, you may be using all the tools for a while in the dog house. Another great video
I think the spear tip detaching from the pole is a good thing so that the targeted animal does not run off with your pole. Many game, once struck will run until they finally collapse.
AND then when you reach MY age there is the cane or “walking cane”!! The “fighting cane” is one made for self defense. I think it’s stronger than anything you showed in your nice video. Thanks!
I can see how many might not like the solid walking stick because it becomes unwieldy. Yet soon as anything is made into a sectional piece it becomes only as strong as its middle as the forces applied is greatest at that point. For the tool applications it seems very handy as a walking stick however not so much as a combat weapon for multiple uses. It will get you to a survival point in a pinch. I'm trying to make my own walking stick. It might be unwieldy but likely be my go to no matter it's final weight. Besides the more it's used the stronger you get.
Fantastic reviews! You should have feasted on the watermelon like a zombie eating brains though! Lol. One thing that would be cool for the multisection stick would be chain link connectors so that you could make two pairs of kungchucks!
Thanks for this great presentation; especially reusing old bicycle tube fragment(s) for upgrading a walking stick with additional features. As you already mentioned, I would look out for stick tools not already on a swiss army knife/leatherman multi tool, like long e.g. paracord rope or fishing line. Was the broken arrowhead purpose for pick/hold soft fish over campfire, not throwing against hard things like wood.
Note, that many things can be cane/stick heads. A nice brass doorknob, a hammerhead, a shingling hatchet and so on. Just remember when the officer asks why you have it, NEVER say self defence
to de-bend your stick I'd suggest either simply hammer things with the other side for a while, or clamping the T handle down to a vice in a configuration where the bow faces up, support the other end and bodily hang from the middle, your body weight will be enough to straighten any light warp.
Nice video. Personally I prefer a hiking staff a little longer than I am tall and I have a couple that I have made from young poplar and oak from the family wood lot and my back yard. I debark them and let the dry. My current favorite is just over 6' in length and just under 10oz. I do admit, I have been using trekking poles more and more for the convenience of transporting them in the vehicle and attaching them to my pack when not in use.
👍 good video ! I have a collection of 2 piece pool cues purchased at the goodwill & thrift stores for 10 dollars or less . some good ones in wood , fiberglass or graphite . They work very well , never broke one even though putting a lot of weight and stress on them ! Just a thought if you're looking for something pretty good & inexpensive .
I always carry my irish shillaglah I carved by hand has a lanyard so it's always with me I recomend highly francis McCaffrey crafts on youtube if you want a shillaglah or blackthorn hiking staff greetings from uk guys 👍🇬🇧🐾🦊🇺🇲
Hi I have two tactical walking sticks that I get from “wish” of all places.😂 that are steal with aluminium threads. Looks very similar to what you have in this video. I took it to a local engineering place an asked them to turn down all the parts with the cross hatching until it was flat, then replaced it with the rubber grips that you can buy for hockey sticks or cricket bats. Took out all the tools from each section as they were all just set into a threaded plastic that come out with same.
@@BackcountryPilgrim thanks, I got two because they were so cheap. An with two of the T heads you can make a pretty good walking couch. With one at the top an one an arms length down to hold on to. 😂 I’ve never needed it but ha you never know. I’ve also had a crocked handle, made from one side of old racing cycling bars. Looks nice all mat black an more traditional than the T top.
Get a 5ft or 10ft EMT conduit from Home Depot. 10ft one can be cut it into 3 pieces each 3.3ft. The non-rigid conduit is about 0.11" thick. The rigid conduit is about 0.21" thick. At this short length, the 3/4" or 1" size seem plenty strong. Maybe you can do a video on a DIY self-defense stick. If you want an even better material, use 3/4" 10ft pipe at Grainger for $100. Cut it to whatever length desired.
@@BackcountryPilgrim Joining would weaken it. The rigid EMT is stronger and may be strong enough with joined pieces. The stainless steel one would be best for rust-resistant even when scraped. The pipes would need to be tapped inside and outside on separate pieces to join them but not sure if the harder materials can be easily tapped. Screwed joints can loosen up so don't really like joining pieces to make a staff. One whole piece staff seem like the best for strength. In the city, any kind of walking stick would work against dogs. In the wilderness, even a strong walking stick is not enough against bears and mountain lions. The walking stick would need to have a retractable spear end to have a chance against a bear or mountain lion or a wolf.
Here's another alternative. I use a camera monopod as an adjustable hiking stick and as a "binocular prop." The height on mine is adjustable from about 30 inches to over 72 inches. My hands shake a bit so, when attempting to use my binoculars, this thing works great to stabilize it. And, of course, it comes in handy as a camera monopod!😉
The last time I was attacked by the watermelon crew I was ill prepared and things got quite seedy. Next time I will be prepared, I still think things will get sticky but the fight will finally be fair.
Whatever Ballenger to the greatest urban self defense tool of all time? The car antenna. One light swing and a mile high whelp will send them running. One hard swung and it'll peel the fish from the bone. Good times. Man the 70s were great
The tactical walking stick forgot one item, a section that's a flask...Ha! I don't think my first inclination when protecting myself with a walking stick, would be to poke straight at it. As in the Army "Vertical Butt Stroke". Of course that's generally with a bayonet, but I think it would still do the job.
I have a very nice piece of bamboo that im gonna use for my walking stick. Very hard to break and will bend just a little. Im gonna wrap the hand holds with 550 cord with some fisshing stuff, mylar blanket, drill some holes at the tip for my cold steel bushcraft knife, spear. With various tips for grip.
My carpenter friend gave me this walking stick that he had been hand carving for decades, it was never really meant to be used as a walking stick, but I took it to Lake Tahoe, I wanted to look badass. As soon as I got there I set it down on the ground to get something out of my pocket and it slid down the side of this 🏔️ on the dead leafs. I never even got to use it once as a walking stick.
As a 50 year old arthritis and construction injured bloke in Australia? I need that stick. I need a stick for walking as my legs and hips are stuffed but I need to keep blood flowing. As a self defence weapon I would have no problem as an ex carpentry and and aluminium joiner, ex karateka? I can hammer fist strike damn hard but I'm mainly looking for easier walking! I gotta keep moving! Can you please do a tutorial on using this for help in walking? Any reply appreciated. Cheers from Australia 🙂 subbed and liked 👍
I believe it would function the same as a cane. I don't really sticks for aid in walking other than balance on trail or just something to knock things out of the way, so I'd be the wrong one to ask. :)
I've found trekking poles very helpful in situations where the terrain is really steep, technical, or I am carrying a lot. They have a very different function than a walking stick!
I wonder if the different blade tips on the Prime Adventure tactical walking stick might be considered a concealed weapon in some states. Does anyone know?
In CA as long as the knife blade isn't accessible in one move (e.g., drawing a fixed blade) it can be carried concealed. Since you have to unscrew the stick to get at a blade I think you'd be fine. Worth looking into thought for sure!
I like that last one it would contrast nicely with my prosthetic leg 😎 I wonder how much crap I'd get trying to import that into the UK, the police and customs would be all over me like a nasty rash 🇬🇧
Hello @BackcountryPilgrim, I mean no offence, just asking a question about where I live in Rural East England, (we don't have "any non-Human) animals to fight, we wiped out bears/wolves centuries ago (for better or worse, likely better).! What do you suggest for people wandering around fields who have serious legal restrictions against self selfe?
It depends on what the authorities count ad a weapon. There are self defense canes thay look more like legit canes than the Raptor for example. At the end of the day, you may just have to carry a walking staff and learn how to use it for self defense. :/
Wrist strap: I'd recommend NOT walking with it around your wrist--in a fall it might break the wrist. Spear head: In the picture, it looks like the shaft of the spear should go through the ferule and a pin added through the hole to secure it.
I think you'd need to know your own jurisdiction. In Ca for example, a non-folding knife is considered illegally concealed if it is hidden from sight - but the real issue seems to be accessibility. I can "hide" a folding knife in a pocket or under a shirt because it takes two operations to make it ready (extraction and unfolding). The dangerous parts of the tactical stick would take about 2 minutes to make ready haha. Bamboo is good if you're good with a stick.
i've been thinking about a spear in 3 4' or 4 3' sections for my survival pack and while the hollow sections shown here look good (for the extras) i suspect they might be contributing to the bending so i want it solid except for maybe the last section. the only additions in my original idea would be, besides the spear point, a claw and even a single hook, but definately a claw, a gig (trident), and a saw blade to make a pole saw for cutting hard-to-reach things (overhead dry limbs etc), the 12' overall length would give a person as much as an extra 9' of reach. as to a walking/traverse (difficult terrain) stick the different lengths could be configured in a number of different ways (different users/terrain etc). i may be out of my league here but wouldn't carbon fiber be literally perfect for the shaft itself?
@@BackcountryPilgrim they're using it in lawn and garden tools, shovels etc, the ones i've used snapped back in shape pretty good, if they bent at all.
Extendable pruning saws are readily available but are heavy. Not as fast but much lighter is a Sawzall blade. Don't overlook PVC pipe. 5' of 3/4" PVC pipe makes a decent staff. Lots of fittings available and cheap. Heavy carving knives with wooden handles make good spears. Remove the handles and attach to a hiking staff. Cheap at thrift stores. Use a dowel that fits the pipe for the blades. Smith & Wesson has a knife that is screwed onto it's handle. It can be screwed onto a threaded broomstick. The sheath will attach to the broomstick for safety. Paracord wrap for grip and thickness. Good defensive weapon against an attacking animal. Just don't throw it. Cut off the rounded end and drill it for a barrel nut with a thread that matches a fishing gig. Use a metal sleeve to keep the wood from splitting. Cover with a cane tip.
I think so, I saw several made by individual makers that looked amazing but they were either too expensive for me to try or unavailable. These both look good!
At 1.50 of the video I still think your overlooking the grand canyon the same place where the Yosemite bear was running down the mountain like a fast dog. Dried pine needles are like matchsticks, they light up easy. Still think never leave home without a Bic lighter.
@BackcountryPilgrim okay. I just sat here and thought how vibrations and thrusting into the ground repeatedly for two or three years of use might produce some play in those threads. Probably overthinking it, and can't have all my eggs in one basket. It's a survival kit in a pole. Can't have it all. Thanks.
I use a walking can or single collapsible staff. If I am hiking I'll use treking poles. I like using an ice axe. When was younger there was what was called an Alpinstock. It was a 5 foot staff with a mini ice axe head. But alas they are no longer made. The Rambo knife waa a Buck 850.
A spear isn't something that I would necessarily throw. With polearms training it is blunt force. With a spear I would think the direction of the cutting edge is important for severing leg tendons on the approaching animal assuming your being attacked by a bear or moose or whatever. Stabbing it with a $70 tactical walking stick is going to get a hiker mauled. It would be better to carry nothing at all and play dead.
Interesting video but never throw your spear. Use it like an extended knife. That was a lot of abuse. The Agave/Century plant sends up a long stalk when it blooms. After it dies salvage and dry the stalk. They make a light and strong hiking staff. My 4'7" staff with 10" of paracord wrap and a rubber tip weighs 9 oz. I have a very thick 6' stalk I have not cut to size. It weighs 1.5 lbs. My favorite staff is made from the skeleton of a saguaro cactus and weighs 18 oz.
Very good tip! But TBH I really just wanted to throw it lol. And really, that wasn't what damaged thr stick Haha, that's what reviews are for anyway. ;) That agave stick sounds wicked!
![AWESOME HIKING STAFF! [Crawford Survival Staff]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TFQbwcKhSyA/mqdefault.jpg)
As one of your viewers has already commented, in some states (such as California and Massachusetts) any cane or walking stick that does not have a horizontal handle can be considered a mace, is illegal, and can result in criminal charges. (Side note:Massachusetts also has outlawed double-edged knives!)
Also, not a good idea to put your hand through the carry cord. If someone were to grab the walking stick and your whole hand is through the loop, they have a lot of leverage to pull you around and control you. It's much better to put only your thumb through the loop and have the loop, both sides, go across the back of your hand and attach to the stick. The cane is every bit as secure in your hand but you can instantly release it if necessary.
[I am a former US Marine, military combat arms instructor, Federal Protective Service Police Officer, and Deputy US Marshal]
Great advice thank you! Where is a good place to find these laws? I see filled batons and things like that listed, but haven't found anything about canes / maces.
thanks, i just learned to not waste money on the Prime Adventures stick, you saved me almost a hundred bucks !!! thank you!!!!
Glad I could help! Yeah if you're looking for something like this, I'd recommend paying the money for something made in the USA.
Just an opinion from a stranger on the internet!
If you swing and miss you will be at a disadvantage.
Don't swing a stick until the thing you are swinging at isn't looking at you. Use the end of the stick to keep the aggressive dog away from you. I have done this to great effect. If you feel the need to hit, hold the stick with both hands and hit with the end of the stick. That will cause discomfort to whatever you strike with this method.
Thank you!
Never bring a stick to a gun fight!
The stick gets you time to draw. ;)
I was in the Boy Scouts of Australia for many years and we all had walking sticks that we made. We called them a staff.
Great camp project!
When I hiked I found using two ski-poles really helped as it enabled this bi-pedal human to gain more stability, add upper-body strength to the walking effort, as well as setting gait. Started using two poles when hiking on snow-pack, then found they helped on dry trails as well.
Yeah the transition from ski poles to trekking poles was very welcome!
I was actually thinking about buying the aluminum walking stick but after your honest review of it, I’ve changed my mind. Thank you for sharing. :)
Glad I could help!
I have a 5'6" shepherds hook walking stick, I've used it for decades, in all rockies states,,,it helped me get up many a mountain. I also have a 6' walking stick made by a beaver in Connecticut in 1971.
Nice!!
Very nice complete review on the tactical walking stick. Thank you. I am considering buying one and your professional review was very informative about the product.
So glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
Very interesting video showing those different kinds of hiking sticks. I like to carve hiking stick toppers and I'll attach them to poplar wood dowels you get at the home improvement store. The poplar is strong and light weight. But I usually like to stain it and add a coat or 2 of urethane. The toppers are more for decoration and just customizing a stick if you want to make a gift for a hiker. I like the sectional stick that you showed and may try to make one of those. Thanks for the video!
Sounds nice! My dad carved sticks and sold them at stores along the coast. Great pastime!
When I was in grade school and started backpacking with my father, he made us some walking sticks from aircraft aluminum tubing. He had some gadgets like hardened points and a coupler to join them together as a boat hook, and they served as our tent poles. But over time I went from not feeling a need to carry one, to needing one for a bad left knee. I also found I much prefer my natural sticks, made from Michigan shagbark hickory. I have one done in the usual "upside down" configuration, so fatter at the top. The other only worked well for my grip as a "rightside up" orientation, and I did a lot of grinding down the fat end to create a double-tapered shape which is overall a bit heavier despite being a little shorter. Both come above my shoulder making it easy to put a lot of weight on them with my arm folded, such that I am pulling down on the stick rather than pushing like a cane. They also allow me to anchor the tip behind myself and support my weight in the middle of the stick while descending a drop-off without much flex, or fear of breaking. I use standard rubber table leg tips on the bottom end.
Sounds like an awesome DIY stick!
@@BackcountryPilgrim Thank you! I guess one unique thing I left out is the shear beauty of the shagbark hickory bark. I keep the bark on, except on the tapered end of the "rightside up" stick. It is an ugly, gray look when natural, but when you sand down to a smooth-ish surface below, and apply a stain/sealer, I like a dark color like walnut, it is a cornucopia of brown tones, and a nice surface to grip as well. I use a brown Sharpie on the sides of my rubber tip to blend it in, as a white tip is just sacrilege.
Sweet!
I picked up a couple of the aluminum sticks for cheap (an overseas retailer.), before I saw this video. After playing around with them the past two days, I agree that these are not going to be great for hiking. I noticed a couple of other issues, beyond the ones you stated. 1. The "spear" and "knife" components (at leas on mine) came very, very dull. Yes, there are bevels/grinds there, but nothing more than cosmetic really. I have not tried sharpening one yet. 2. Being metal, the aluminum can become uncomfortable to pick up once it has laid in the sun for some time, or if it is cold, The heat transfer to your hands can be unpleasant at best and possible harmful at worst.
However I think that using a couple of sections to have a survival-type "baton" in a vehicle might be the best use.
I agree 100%!
That nice sleek black 'cane' looks like a really nice piece. Very low key, but potentially an adequate deterrent. I mostly worry about other mean dogs while taking my dogs on walks.
I think it would dissuade most animals after the first tap. :)
As someone who both makes sticks and subject them to quite intensive use, I would warn that there are inherent weaknesses in multi part sticks that screw together, they will split at the joint if you put too much force on them or use them for whacking vegetation out of the way. You want something with collars that reinforce the joint. These days I make my multi part sticks with the joints from drain rods as they can stand a lot of abuse.
I'd like to see a video of that. So you are making your own?
Great and interesting finds! Personally, anything "tactical" that does 100 things never accomplishes any of these things quite properly.
Yeah it's only for backup... or should be!
Unless used properly.
I just got the Prime tactical walking stick and all of your points are spot on. It's heavy, the tools are not that great and I wouldn't take it on long walks or hikes. But I like the solid build of it. I won't get rid if it, like you said it has it uses.
Very nice!
Consider: I have a Cold Steel City Stick (old one with the stainless steel knob). In some places, that’s a “bludgeon” and can get you arrested. I have an old stockman’s cane, very durable and useful, which I can take anywhere, even on a plane. A cane is a recognized medical mobility aid, not legally a weapon. Also: Cold Steel sells a pressed steel “battle axe” and a pressed steel “spetsnaz” or “Special Forces” camp shovel on the same handle. Both are equally effective melee weapons, but one is legally not a weapon.
Great points! it would be interesting to see if TSA would allow the BlackSwift Raptor as a "cane." :)
@@BackcountryPilgrim ask your favorite legal eagle, but I believe it has to have the curved end to be a cane. BTW, a stockmane’s cane (mine is at least a century old) has a slightly larger curve. Check out Canemasters to learn a bit.👍
Makes sense, thanks!
A Night Watchman with rubbers on each end??
@@BackcountryPilgrim - TSA has taken away my cane for them to hand deliver to the plane and “store safely,” but it’s just heavy wood.
Concerning the spear head, the form indicates that it is more a harpoon-like tip than a regular spear. Harpoon tips commonly detach from the shaft and stay in the target with a line attached. With the hole through the stem of the spear, you could attach line or paracord to retrieve a fairly large fish if need be. I have always preferred to use the staff with the heavy end up. I find I prefer that balance.
Yeah maybe!
Exactly what I was going to say.
As an avid hiker and prepper, I see the Forest Pilot 3-Piece Wood Walking Stick as a viable alternative to trekking poles. Everything else is useless and should only be used as a home/car backup to essential self-defense gear. More gimmick to need.
Thanks for your comment! To be clear, the title is not saying all three sticks have all three characteristics! Some may overlap on secondary features, but I was presenting each as having its own primary function. I don't see any of them as replacing trekking poles for their primary usage.
Nice look at several items! Appreciate the information!
Glad to hear it!
Minor point on those with O-Rings… LUBE THEM EVERY YEAR OR SO! Spray silicone, put a dab of Vaseline or whatever. I say this because if you want it to last, finding the correct size replacement ring can be hard to do. Some rust, and this small chore can mean the difference between it working or not. I’m only saying this as I had to throw away one of my “aluminum” walking sticks because the joints rusted closed and it was toast. (Yes, I know, aluminum doesn’t rust… hey it came from China.) 😊
Excellent point!!! (Especially with that dang Chinese aluminum!)
Aluminum oxidizes The thin oxide coating protects it but without lube aluminum galls. It needs to be lubed when it is screwed together or even a tight sliding fit. Alumashield works best but is messy. You can try some penetrating oil on stuck pieces and you might get lucky.
They imitate aluminum with iron? Freaks.
@@NICEFINENEWROBOT - I might be confusing rust with oxidation, all I know is had I sprayed silicone or used anything to maintain the O-Rings and joints, it would have saved me a $100 walking stick. My point was just to be aware of the issue or risk and take a little preventative action. 🤠
@@kfsrmn - I’m sure you’re correct, oxidation. All I know is the joints sealed permanently and when I tried to use two opposing channel lock pliers the thing broke as in snapped the aluminum instead of opening the joint.
Not all spears are meant to be thrown. After all, when you throw your spear, you are temporarily getting rid of your weapon. It is far better in a life/death situation (the cougar on your hiking trail is taking too much interest in you) to use it as a thrusting weapon.
Correct. But also less fun. :)
@@craigmooring2091 same with a knife.
You missed my favourite which is a shepherd's crook. A real aide in all sorts of countryside. I have been using one for nearly fifty years.
Good point!
I love that aluminum walking staff with the tools. I seriously doubt our local airport security would let me through with it though. They once confiscated a key chain fob of mine explaining since it resembled a bullet it might be loadable. *sigh* They also confiscated my son's shaving equipment (no open blades). These guys are serious.
Yeah probably not lol.
They seem cool, but I can never trust the actual quality and durability of those things. The individual tools are never going to be of any decent quality, and that it has to screw together means that as a stick, it is compromised. It will never be as durable as a simple solid wooden stick, and if you ever need to use to fend off an animal, you really don't want to bet on something like that that can break so easily.
Sticks from the Sotol plant stalks is durable and light. Some clear coating and tip protection required. Find the stalks in the southwest US. Wait for the stalk to stop flowering and dry out In the winter. Easy to personalize.
Sounds very cool!
If you leave in the car, it's just bagage you didn't need. Best to acquire a stick for nature each time you go out. When you take a break, use your knife to make it into a work of art, and leave it behind for the next hiker.
Well it's not just baggage if you use it. ;) I don't really like leaving signs of use around in nature but on tourist trails it's not so bad.
Just ordered the raven. Light weight walking stick to replace my wooden one. The added benefit is deterring coyotes or mountain lions come to mind but really I don’t want to look like an old lady with a cane. I imagine I’ll be using this more with my walks that are important to maintain core strength as I have scoliosis and the crutch is sometimes truely necessary. Thanks for the elegant solution to ageing. A spritely 74 yo in San Diego 😅
It's a nice looking piece for sure, happy walking!
I am 68 and have to use a cane sometimes...not too much leaning on it but to insure that my gait is steady and guard against falls. How flexible is the Raven? Is it too felxible to support someone ?
You read in my mind! This is just what I'm looking for! The Forest Pilot looks awesome!I'm going to get one for myself 🤠👍
Yeah I first saw these in Yosemite and decided they were a cool idea. Hope you enjoy it!
i'll share the link to this video with my friend Sir, as a saying of thank you and for my team's use for a huge help.
You bet! Thank you!
Great video, cold steel has some walking sticks as well that are supposed to be able to be used for self defense as well.
With the aluminum one, I think there are many things like this including ones that have axe heads where I'm hesitant of the durability. With so many companies basically rebranding the same items it's not easy to know which company to trust. I have noticed a trend that in general, the more items something comes with the lower the quality in general at a given price point.
Agreed 100%! I looked at many of these on Amazon and went with the company that seemed to be the most robust (especially trying to avoid cheap Chinese crap). But I have also seen cottage companies selling theirs for over $800! That'd be a risky gamble IMO. :)
@@BackcountryPilgrim yes, those premium prices can be way too extreme sometimes. I've bought so many cheap things as a kid, now I hold out until I know it's worth paying for.
My walking stick I made. It is a 1-1/4" hardwood dowl with a short bayonet blade mounted on its end. The blade is covered for safety, by its hard sheath. If ever needed, the sheath is easily and quickly removed.
I tried something like that when I was a teen, sounds cool!
@@BackcountryPilgrim I live in an area with a lot of Black Bears. While not normally aggressive, mother bears are dangerous and you don't want to smell like food at all.
🗻thankyou very much Sir, it's really a lot of work, as my trecking stick had broke well actually, one of the two sticks broke into two pieces after it got sank into the ground. I have no idea of what happen. I mean seriously. I don't know what even happen, or how it even got into the ground, but it somehow did. we had tried to pull it out, but it literally never worked because we never knew about a simple trick. all we had to do, was the pull the stick up, while rotating it, gradually increasing in speed.
Yeah they do that sometimes!
something you need to keep in mind with a three piece walking stick is that over time it will weaken and break where they screw together
I'm sure it could eventually.
The black swift is seriously formidable and exactly what I was looking for... if it came a little longer. 48" would be perfect. I reached out, however, and they could not accommodate. Oh well.
Ah too bad! They should offer a few different sizes!
@@BackcountryPilgrim Yes for us not so tall people as well . Does the tip pull off? maybe it can be cut.
@@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904, the tip is not removable, although it can be cut off if you need to replace it. James Campbell, the owner of Blackswift, sent me a free couple of tips. They need to be epoxied on when you replace one.
Hope that wasn't your wife's car window that you tested it on... If so, you may be using all the tools for a while in the dog house. Another great video
Haha! Long story short, it was mine and it was being junked that day so I thought I'd have a little fun with it first. :)
I think the spear tip detaching from the pole is a good thing so that the targeted animal does not run off with your pole. Many game, once struck will run until they finally collapse.
Ah yes maybe!
Finally! Some actual real-life examples. Thank you!
That watermelon never saw it coming!
A hoop stick can be taken any where. It is considered a medical device. The hoop gives you more of a cane that will add the hoop for pulling mode.
I've never heard if those! I googled it but got mostly game images. Do you have a link?
Cool review of all sorts of options. I really like the looks of the first pilot. 🍻🤙
Yeah I liked it too! When I got to my hike without my poles, I was so mad the store I saw it at was closed - it would have been perfect for the GCT!
Very useful reviews; thank you! (Also: nice rainbow flip-flops. 🙂)
Thanks! (And they're tie-dye man, get it right LOL!)
never heard of blackswift before, but that’s right up my alley.
It's FUN!
AND then when you reach MY age there is the cane or “walking cane”!! The “fighting cane” is one made for self defense. I think it’s stronger than anything you showed in your nice video. Thanks!
Shoot me a link so I can check it out!
I can see how many might not like the solid walking stick because it becomes unwieldy. Yet soon as anything is made into a sectional piece it becomes only as strong as its middle as the forces applied is greatest at that point. For the tool applications it seems very handy as a walking stick however not so much as a combat weapon for multiple uses. It will get you to a survival point in a pinch. I'm trying to make my own walking stick. It might be unwieldy but likely be my go to no matter it's final weight. Besides the more it's used the stronger you get.
There you go - a solid DIY stick will be awesome!
Fantastic reviews! You should have feasted on the watermelon like a zombie eating brains though! Lol. One thing that would be cool for the multisection stick would be chain link connectors so that you could make two pairs of kungchucks!
Both great ideas!!!
AWESOME video, finally someone beat the prime adventure a little bit.
My pleasure haha!
Thanks for keeping my from buyers regret with the Prime product. Since I carry a couple of knives, at least, I don't need all that fluff anyway.
Right on!
Thanks for this great presentation; especially reusing old bicycle tube fragment(s) for upgrading a walking stick with additional features. As you already mentioned, I would look out for stick tools not already on a swiss army knife/leatherman multi tool, like long e.g. paracord rope or fishing line. Was the broken arrowhead purpose for pick/hold soft fish over campfire, not throwing against hard things like wood.
Yeah a good multi-tool would be better. It was called a spearhead so.... haha. :)
@@BackcountryPilgrim the hole in the "spearhead" makes me think it's a harpoon and meant to detach with a line ties on.
My spearhead didn't have a hole but maybe the new ones do. Doesn't look like PA even makes them anymore but there are a ton of similar items.
@@BackcountryPilgrim @14:22 it did on the tang or handle end.
I'm pretty sure that beating a watermelon in that office chair voids the chairs warranty. 😉
Not if the watermelon indicated consent.
@@BackcountryPilgrim lol 😆
Note, that many things can be cane/stick heads. A nice brass doorknob, a hammerhead, a shingling hatchet and so on. Just remember when the officer asks why you have it, NEVER say self defence
Just an old man and his stick, sir. :)
"I don't answer questions."
"Okay, but what's the stick for?"
"So that I don't have to answer any questions..."
I have the Cold Steel Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick. It's a beast for self defense.
I hear a lot of good things about it!
Man that water melon looked menacing aren't you lucky you got those first few strikes in be fore it lost it's shit..... 😂😂😂
You're not kidding. Watermelon aggression is massively underreported by the liberal media.
I use a walking stick instead of a cane because as I get older the third leg has become essential.
Good call!
to de-bend your stick I'd suggest either simply hammer things with the other side for a while, or clamping the T handle down to a vice in a configuration where the bow faces up, support the other end and bodily hang from the middle, your body weight will be enough to straighten any light warp.
That might work thanks!
Nice video. Personally I prefer a hiking staff a little longer than I am tall and I have a couple that I have made from young poplar and oak from the family wood lot and my back yard. I debark them and let the dry. My current favorite is just over 6' in length and just under 10oz. I do admit, I have been using trekking poles more and more for the convenience of transporting them in the vehicle and attaching them to my pack when not in use.
Plus making your own stuff is super cool!
@@BackcountryPilgrim In NY even making your own weapons will give you prison time. Trail survival should be okay but nothing offensive.
👍 good video ! I have a collection of 2 piece pool cues purchased at the goodwill & thrift stores for 10 dollars or less . some good ones in wood , fiberglass or graphite . They work very well , never broke one even though putting a lot of weight and stress on them ! Just a thought if you're looking for something pretty good & inexpensive .
Very good! Thank you!
Like spears 2 ,took one to Hawaii in a pvc tube ,
Got a carbon fiber I can pack.
Always have security when swimming in the sea !
Swimming stick!
Pat Crawford's staff, the grand daddy of hiking staffs.
I'll check it out!
I always carry my irish shillaglah I carved by hand has a lanyard so it's always with me I recomend highly francis McCaffrey crafts on youtube if you want a shillaglah or blackthorn hiking staff greetings from uk guys 👍🇬🇧🐾🦊🇺🇲
Sweet! That's very cool.
@@BackcountryPilgrim np greetings from the uk 👍🇬🇧🐾🦊
You can use the Coldsteel Big bore pro 4ft blowgun as walkingstick. Absolut stable , perfect lenght and ........ a blowgun!
You had me at blowgun! :)
Hi I have two tactical walking sticks that I get from “wish” of all places.😂 that are steal with aluminium threads. Looks very similar to what you have in this video. I took it to a local engineering place an asked them to turn down all the parts with the cross hatching until it was flat, then replaced it with the rubber grips that you can buy for hockey sticks or cricket bats. Took out all the tools from each section as they were all just set into a threaded plastic that come out with same.
Wow those are quite the mods!
@@BackcountryPilgrim thanks, I got two because they were so cheap. An with two of the T heads you can make a pretty good walking couch. With one at the top an one an arms length down to hold on to. 😂 I’ve never needed it but ha you never know. I’ve also had a crocked handle, made from one side of old racing cycling bars. Looks nice all mat black an more traditional than the T top.
@mattjosh69 They sound great!
I think that “spear” is for walking in a stream and spearing a fish (‘not throwing it but just thrusting it).
Probably. But they call it a spear so it should do BOTH! ;)
Get a 5ft or 10ft EMT conduit from Home Depot. 10ft one can be cut it into 3 pieces each 3.3ft. The non-rigid conduit is about 0.11" thick. The rigid conduit is about 0.21" thick. At this short length, the 3/4" or 1" size seem plenty strong. Maybe you can do a video on a DIY self-defense stick. If you want an even better material, use 3/4" 10ft pipe at Grainger for $100. Cut it to whatever length desired.
Interesting idea! How would you join the pieces once cut?
@@BackcountryPilgrim Joining would weaken it. The rigid EMT is stronger and may be strong enough with joined pieces. The stainless steel one would be best for rust-resistant even when scraped. The pipes would need to be tapped inside and outside on separate pieces to join them but not sure if the harder materials can be easily tapped. Screwed joints can loosen up so don't really like joining pieces to make a staff. One whole piece staff seem like the best for strength. In the city, any kind of walking stick would work against dogs. In the wilderness, even a strong walking stick is not enough against bears and mountain lions. The walking stick would need to have a retractable spear end to have a chance against a bear or mountain lion or a wolf.
Here's another alternative. I use a camera monopod as an adjustable hiking stick and as a "binocular prop." The height on mine is adjustable from about 30 inches to over 72 inches. My hands shake a bit so, when attempting to use my binoculars, this thing works great to stabilize it. And, of course, it comes in handy as a camera monopod!😉
Great idea!
The last time I was attacked by the watermelon crew I was ill prepared and things got quite seedy. Next time I will be prepared, I still think things will get sticky but the fight will finally be fair.
Very punny! :)
Yup I have on & it’s awesome.
Whatever Ballenger to the greatest urban self defense tool of all time? The car antenna. One light swing and a mile high whelp will send them running. One hard swung and it'll peel the fish from the bone. Good times. Man the 70s were great
Haha!
The tactical walking stick forgot one item, a section that's a flask...Ha!
I don't think my first inclination when protecting myself with a walking stick, would be to poke straight at it. As in the Army "Vertical Butt Stroke". Of course that's generally with a bayonet, but I think it would still do the job.
Well it's water tight so if you left a section or two empty... :)
@@BackcountryPilgrim Ha!
So you're saying just walking around with an ax handle sticking out of my backpack might be a little provocative 🤔🤣
No, I'm saying it's just the right amount of provocative! :)
Good commentary , well done !
Thanks!
I have a very nice piece of bamboo that im gonna use for my walking stick. Very hard to break and will bend just a little. Im gonna wrap the hand holds with 550 cord with some fisshing stuff, mylar blanket, drill some holes at the tip for my cold steel bushcraft knife, spear.
With various tips for grip.
Nice! DIY walking sticks are great!
My carpenter friend gave me this walking stick that he had been hand carving for decades, it was never really meant to be used as a walking stick, but I took it to Lake Tahoe, I wanted to look badass. As soon as I got there I set it down on the ground to get something out of my pocket and it slid down the side of this 🏔️ on the dead leafs. I never even got to use it once as a walking stick.
Nooooooo! Wow that Sucks!
I’ve thought about using one of those couplers but I’m afraid the cut could severely weaken the stick.
Yeah you can't put a lot of pressure on them.
As a 50 year old arthritis and construction injured bloke in Australia? I need that stick. I need a stick for walking as my legs and hips are stuffed but I need to keep blood flowing. As a self defence weapon I would have no problem as an ex carpentry and and aluminium joiner, ex karateka? I can hammer fist strike damn hard but I'm mainly looking for easier walking! I gotta keep moving! Can you please do a tutorial on using this for help in walking? Any reply appreciated. Cheers from Australia 🙂 subbed and liked 👍
I believe it would function the same as a cane. I don't really sticks for aid in walking other than balance on trail or just something to knock things out of the way, so I'd be the wrong one to ask. :)
Thank you for this excellent review.
You bet!
When I get old, I am going to get a cane with a single-shot 20 gauge built in. That would be awesome. "Get Off My Lawn!"
Lol!
Awesome tactical walking stick! Where can I buy one…or two!
Two would be epic, haha! I have links in the the video description. :)
Needed. A walking stick with a sling. Easy to add.
Cool idea!
Carrying a couple 'trekking poles' just looks so ridiculous. A good walking stick is respectable. (And usually available free along your route!)
I've found trekking poles very helpful in situations where the terrain is really steep, technical, or I am carrying a lot. They have a very different function than a walking stick!
I wonder if the different blade tips on the Prime Adventure tactical walking stick might be considered a concealed weapon in some states. Does anyone know?
In CA as long as the knife blade isn't accessible in one move (e.g., drawing a fixed blade) it can be carried concealed. Since you have to unscrew the stick to get at a blade I think you'd be fine. Worth looking into thought for sure!
I like that last one it would contrast nicely with my prosthetic leg 😎 I wonder how much crap I'd get trying to import that into the UK, the police and customs would be all over me like a nasty rash 🇬🇧
Weapons laws are so weird, you'd want to make sure what to expect!
😂😂It’s a good job that watermelon didn’t fight back.
It would have regretted it for sure! ;)
Hello @BackcountryPilgrim, I mean no offence, just asking a question about where I live in Rural East England, (we don't have "any non-Human) animals to fight, we wiped out bears/wolves centuries ago (for better or worse, likely better).! What do you suggest for people wandering around fields who have serious legal restrictions against self selfe?
It depends on what the authorities count ad a weapon. There are self defense canes thay look more like legit canes than the Raptor for example. At the end of the day, you may just have to carry a walking staff and learn how to use it for self defense. :/
trekking pole - lighter but more bendable & breakable
I still use a STICK!
an old hardwood cord wrapped mop handle
Different purposes different gear! :) Mop handle works just fine.
Wrist strap: I'd recommend NOT walking with it around your wrist--in a fall it might break the wrist. Spear head: In the picture, it looks like the shaft of the spear should go through the ferule and a pin added through the hole to secure it.
Thanks!
Nice video but would the police think it's tools as concealed weapons? have you tried a piece of stout bamboo?
I think you'd need to know your own jurisdiction. In Ca for example, a non-folding knife is considered illegally concealed if it is hidden from sight - but the real issue seems to be accessibility. I can "hide" a folding knife in a pocket or under a shirt because it takes two operations to make it ready (extraction and unfolding). The dangerous parts of the tactical stick would take about 2 minutes to make ready haha. Bamboo is good if you're good with a stick.
i've been thinking about a spear in 3 4' or 4 3' sections for my survival pack and while the hollow sections shown here look good (for the extras) i suspect they might be contributing to the bending so i want it solid except for maybe the last section.
the only additions in my original idea would be, besides the spear point, a claw and even a single hook, but definately a claw, a gig (trident), and a saw blade to make a pole saw for cutting hard-to-reach things (overhead dry limbs etc), the 12' overall length would give a person as much as an extra 9' of reach. as to a walking/traverse (difficult terrain) stick the different lengths could be configured in a number of different ways (different users/terrain etc).
i may be out of my league here but wouldn't carbon fiber be literally perfect for the shaft itself?
Wow I don't know. Carbon is very strong as long as it doesn't bend. Sounds like a cool idea!
@@BackcountryPilgrim they're using it in lawn and garden tools, shovels etc, the ones i've used snapped back in shape pretty good, if they bent at all.
Extendable pruning saws are readily available but are heavy. Not as fast but much lighter is a Sawzall blade. Don't overlook PVC pipe. 5' of 3/4" PVC pipe makes a decent staff. Lots of fittings available and cheap. Heavy carving knives with wooden handles make good spears. Remove the handles and attach to a hiking staff. Cheap at thrift stores. Use a dowel that fits the pipe for the blades.
Smith & Wesson has a knife that is screwed onto it's handle. It can be screwed onto a threaded broomstick. The sheath will attach to the broomstick for safety. Paracord wrap for grip and thickness. Good defensive weapon against an attacking animal. Just don't throw it. Cut off the rounded end and drill it for a barrel nut with a thread that matches a fishing gig. Use a metal sleeve to keep the wood from splitting. Cover with a cane tip.
did you look at the Zubin / Extreme Instinct Staff or crawford survival staff
I think so, I saw several made by individual makers that looked amazing but they were either too expensive for me to try or unavailable. These both look good!
At 1.50 of the video I still think your overlooking the grand canyon the same place where the Yosemite bear was running down the mountain like a fast dog.
Dried pine needles are like matchsticks, they light up easy. Still think never leave home without a Bic lighter.
Our bear was at the bottom haha!
These looked really really good thanks for this
You bet!
Good vid. Great voice. Great content. Thanks.
Wow thank you!
Thanks for reviewing. I was wondering how durable those tactical sticks are being that they're essentially hollow tubes.
They're strong along their length but there's only so much they can take laterally.
Oh man, your dad made you an amazing stick!
Agreed! :)
Do you think the 3-piece wooden stick is solid enough to use as a defensive weapon if needed?
Yes but I'd use it more like a staff than a bat. :)
With the Prime Adventure: would the threaded segmented design cause it to loosen and weaken over time?
I don't really know and im sure it would depend on use, but I thought they felt pretty solid.
@BackcountryPilgrim okay. I just sat here and thought how vibrations and thrusting into the ground repeatedly for two or three years of use might produce some play in those threads. Probably overthinking it, and can't have all my eggs in one basket. It's a survival kit in a pole. Can't have it all. Thanks.
I bought a 6ft - 1 -1/4" dowell curtain rod at Lowes for under $10,..
That works!
I use a walking can or single collapsible staff. If I am hiking I'll use treking poles.
I like using an ice axe. When was younger there was what was called an Alpinstock. It was a 5 foot staff with a mini ice axe head. But alas they are no longer made.
The Rambo knife waa a Buck 850.
The alpinstick sounds interesting. Love your profile name btw! :)
Excellent review i appreciated !
Thanks for watching!
Superb review! thank you
Thank you!
A spear isn't something that I would necessarily throw. With polearms training it is blunt force. With a spear I would think the direction of the cutting edge is important for severing leg tendons on the approaching animal assuming your being attacked by a bear or moose or whatever. Stabbing it with a $70 tactical walking stick is going to get a hiker mauled. It would be better to carry nothing at all and play dead.
That's just what the bears want you to think. ;) lol I meant that as a joke but I hear you!
Love the tactical cane. Brilliant. Now, getting it through an airport?
Maaaaaybe? :)
Interesting video but never throw your spear. Use it like an extended knife. That was a lot of abuse. The Agave/Century plant sends up a long stalk when it blooms. After it dies salvage and dry the stalk. They make a light and strong hiking staff. My 4'7" staff with 10" of paracord wrap and a rubber tip weighs 9 oz. I have a very thick 6' stalk I have not cut to size. It weighs 1.5 lbs. My favorite staff is made from the skeleton of a saguaro cactus and weighs 18 oz.
Very good tip! But TBH I really just wanted to throw it lol. And really, that wasn't what damaged thr stick
Haha, that's what reviews are for anyway. ;)
That agave stick sounds wicked!