Benefits of a Hardwood Hiking Stick

Many people use a hiking stick as a walking aid by itself, but it is also used to remove high grass and debris from your path, as well as to get rid of any wild animals should they get too close (snakes and so on). However, do you really need a hardwood hiking stick for hiking, and while hiking? As a hiker, I would be inclined to say “yes”, simply because of the versatility that it can be used for. However, while it isn’t crucial that you have a hardwood hiking stick, and definitely makes your hiking days easier if you have one.

Making it Yourself

While you are hiking, look out for young poplar trees where they are over-planted or growing wild in a bunch. These are the best source for your hand-made hardwood hiking stick. Be careful though not to break off trees unless they are already in a tight cluster together, while it is important to use a hiking stick, it isn’t at the expense of the forests that we love so much. Besides poplar, you will find that white cedar is also a great variety of wood to carve out your own hiking stick.

The Correct Tree to Give You a Hardwood Hiking Stick

In reality, not many people look at cutting down trees today with much patience or finesse. However, you want to target places that are already over crowded, and could use a little thinning, as the areas to get your materials. You want to make sure that you select the right tree as well, because while selecting an area where there is an over population of hardwood trees is great, if you go through and take down 10 trees to find the right one, then the exercise is pointless.

All You Need is Time

For this reason, make sure you spend a little time selecting out the right tree, make sure that it is the right height, the right strength, the right thickness and so on before taking to it. The end result of your hardwood hiking stick should sit at around your armpit, however this is just a general guideline, and some people prefer their hiking sticks to be up to their heads, or even higher.

You can carve the body and the head whichever way you like; the bottom can be wrapped with a strip of leather so that not only does it look good, but it also prevents it from slipping while negotiating hostile terrain.

The Alternative – Buying a Stick

For those who do not have the patience to carve one for yourself, you can just visit a specialty sporting shop, and select a hardwood hiking stick that is suitable for you. While this process is easier, the satisfaction that you will get from creating your own hiking stick for your travels; is worth the sweat, effort and time it takes to make it.