Hobbies related to Camino

[Theo59]

I am using walking sticks that I make myself. Usually branches of trees. I make them softer with steam or fire and then make them straight.
At the end of them I put rubber and stick on it a piece of car-tire with glue and a couple of smalt bolts.
The result is a reliable stick which sticks/grabs to any surface as rocks, stones, mud, dirt , grass, except snow and ice.
For the last ones I use a stick with metal keen edge.
I know they are havier then telescopic aluminium sticks, but there is the advandage of endurance, which sometimes may be vital. It happened a couple times to loose my balance and throw my 82 kgrs on it. It did not cracked, fortunately, so I did not take the shorter way down .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am using walking sticks that I make myself. Usually branches of trees. I make them softer with steam or fire and then make them straight.
At the end of them I put rubber and stick on it a piece of car-tire with glue and a couple of smalt bolts.
The result is a reliable stick which sticks/grabs to any surface as rocks, stones, mud, dirt , grass, except snow and ice.
For the last ones I use a stick with metal keen edge.
I know they are havier then telescopic aluminium sticks, but there is the advandage of endurance, which sometimes may be vital. It happened a couple times to loose my balance and throw my 82 kgrs on it. It did not cracked, fortunately, so I did not take the shorter way down .View attachment 63724View attachment 63725View attachment 63726

Very nice!

 

[Theo59]

Very nice!

 

[Theo59]

I am glad that you like wooden walking sticks. Here you can watch how you can make one by yourself
Straight

And with curved handle

Note. Woob must be fresh. Dry wood cracks

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thank you, Theo...very interesting videos!

 

[Theo59]

Thank you, Theo...very interesting videos!

You are welcome. Just a small contribution to the tons of usefull information I have found in here

 

[Theo59]

Having second thought...Maybe a "walking stick" post should be posted in Equipment category.
I posted it here because of a tradition still alive in Galikia and north Portugal , which goes back to 14th century, the "Jogo do pau". A tradition connected with safety.

and a similar Art in Canary islands under the name "Lucha del garrote"

Jogo do pau - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Theo59]

Basque walking stick. Makhila

 

[Theo59]

 

[Karl Oz]

Good and interesting thread.

 

[Theo59]

Good and interesting thread.

Thank you. I am glad that you like it and I am looking forward your ideas.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thank you. I am glad that you like it and I am looking forward your ideas.

Love your new pics of the umbrella handle...you think of everything!

 

[Theo59]

Love your new pics of the umbrella handle...you think of everything!

I used it with original handle in a forest path. Very unconfortable. So I modified it.

 

[Theo59]

Wood has taken right shape with the use of nail fail, to accept metal keen end.
Then metal cavity was full of silicone glue , wood entered it and a small bolt offers extra stability , through a hole pre-opened on metal.
It can be used on ice , snow, dirt and mud. I used it only on snow and ice, since I prefer rubber/tire end for all the other terrains because of it`s less noise and less shock /throb on my hand every time it touches the ground.

Having post the Makhila presentation above , there is a thought I want to share with you.
A stick must not be seen as a weapon from a pilgrim. In case of selfdefence the goal must be the safe return home, not "the punishment" or causing maximum damage to the attacker.
Videos above from Galicia, Portugal and Canary islands show that the nude wooden end is ennough for protection.
Using the words of an American expert "If you claim selfdefence , you have already confess a crime" (and you have to prove to yourself and others that it was necessary and justified).

 

[Theo59]

Plastic handle has broken , but it is O.K. Wood is better.