SILVER WOLVES NEED WALKING STICKS 

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THE SILVER WOLVES FOR ALL THE SUPPORT

My grandmother had a farm and I spent a lot of time as a boy and a teenager helping out with chores. She always had a good stick at hand. Milking cows, feeding chickens and hogs or working in her garden or picking blackberries, her stick was a useful tool. I'm 69 now, and I still insist on carrying a good wooden walking stick with me in the outdoirs.

I been using a “staff” as a walking/hiking stick for 40 years. I’ve made my own and purchased items to make what I use. I’ve come to prefer two types over others, one is bamboo, it’s light and very strong. The other is ash, which I purchase as a replacement handle for forest fire working tools…these are of very high quality and last a lifetime, and have some weight to them. As a former Park Ranger, I can tell you they have been very helpful in changing the minds and intentions of both dangerous animals and obnoxious campers. Animals…as you said, sweeping a poisonous snake or simply lifting it from a foot trail to a safer location has been done many a time. Bears and dogs have both been dwelt with a quick smack on the bridge of the nose. Drunks and bullies seem to hate having the end of my staff come down forcefully upon their toes, one was even redirected off the premises by the end of my staff up under his chin .

Way back when I was a boy Grandpa decided it was time to learn about sticks. Mine was Black Walnut and first off was rounding the top. Second was capping the end with a spent 12 gauge shell (that we found a few earlier on “the walk”) But at home we measured and marked 3’ for measuring. Made a wrapped handle out of woven cotton cordage. And screwed a hook into the end for hooking fruit or nut branches. This was removed and kept in an aspirin tin in your pocket with hooks and split shot sinkers. That day was probably 48 years ago or so. Thank you, Blackie

I always carry a stick in the UK. As well as general balance help and climbing hills etc, it is also useful for crazy dog walkers or crazy folk that might appear. We can't carry guns, so I carry a walking stick. (Speak softly but carry a big stick).

I've had a Madron stick for about 30 years now that I fished out of a beaver pond in the middle of November for my wife before she passed. "You want me to do what...?" Was a common phrase during our time together.

I’m 74 and just started having severe back and leg problems, I’m having surgery in 2 days. I can’t walk at all now without a cane. I’m hoping for a full recovery and I think a walking stick is in my future. Thanks for the video.

I make hiking sticks and have used them since I was 17 (1977). If you want a light and strong stick you can use birch, oak, maple, crape myrtle or even poplar. The key is use a larger diameter for the whole length of the stick if it is something like poplar. Also - the cursed bradford pear makes a beautiful stick once it is dry. I cut mine in the winter and let them dry for 6 months to 2 years depending on species. I also add metal tips and rubber ends to preserve the end and to get a better grip on dirt and leaves. The most practical finish to help with moisture is Watco Danish oil. Several coats provide the protection you need for all woods. If it gets a nick just add another coat. I always use one staff. I don't use 2 because I often need a free hand. The benefits of the second staff does not out weight the trouble that carrying the second stick causes.

Blackie I concur my stick is a oak shillaglah I hand carved always with me it is multi use too and defence from dogs or other people if needs be it is also a irish martial art 🍀🇬🇧👍🦊🐾

I've carried a soil auger through the woods for work for over 34 years. When you are used to carrying something like a staff for that long, you feel kind of naked when you are out in the woods (off work) and don't have something. I've made several staffs. Oak, Hickory and my favorite, wild cherry. It's amazing how this "third leg" helps to keep your balance in rough terrane, crossing logs, etc.

We use the side to side motion to knock ticks down while crossing hedge rows or tall grassy areas. It seems to work well for us.

Just a quick tip on letting it dry out; cover the ends with school glue to help prevent checking or cracking during the drying process.. People do this also when theyre drying out the staves for bow making. 👍👍

Thank you for that information, Brother !!! As a self-proclaimed "Silver Wolf", I have been starting to use the "hiking sticks" (the adjustable kind - from Walmart, due to budget restraints).....both to walk on the trails with, and to hold up the "awning" on a tarp while hammocking. I may "find" one of those "solid" ones during my adventures this spring/summer/fall and let it dry out, as you recommended. Will probably get one for my 8 yr old as well. Thank you for all of the information that you keep putting out for all of us !!! Keep up the great work !!!

Outstanding tutorial brother..! I need to get my staff out and use it more..! 🐻

Timely video,, I've just damaged my Achilles tendon AGAIN today, and my walking stick is now totally indispensable,, Boy, it's great getting old,, 😭😭

I’ve never really felt like I needed a stick but being in my middle 50’s now I’m thinking it might be a good idea to get one.

Well into my Silver Wolf years and too many knee surgeries, a walking cane is a necessity for me. My sandy land pasture is a welcome retreat for me but fall risk is greater than on firm ground. Look at the fencing supplies at your feed store for cedar fence pickets about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and these make excellent walking staffs. I use my cane in one hand and a cedar fence picket in the other for better stability, kind of like ski poles. Also on soft ground I use a cultivating rake for a broader ground contact . It has a head five inches wide with four curved prongs and will not sink in the soft ground. If not careful , the curved prongs will snag on grass or weeds so use a little caution . It works for me and hope it does for others as well . Many thanks for another great vid.

I've been walking with a stick in the countryside for as long as I remember. My uncle taught me how to make my first 'thumb stick' when I was aged just three or four, and I've been stick-making ever since; 'walkers', staffs, thumb sticks, market sicks, cleeks, crooks. When people used to ask me why I took a stick I gave an easy answer: a still with two legs just fall over, but a three legged stool is totally stable. Thanks for another great video. Just

As a 75yo hiker with a stick that is at least 40 years old, I enjoyed your video and agree with all you said.

When I was a kid Dad showed me a stand of ironwood in the back of Grandma's farm. I always wanted to go back when I was older and cut some of it for hiking sticks but she sold the farm after Grandpa died and I didn't get the chance. I wondered why people didn't use it for ax handles. Thanks for explaining!

Yep nothing better than a staff. No one gives you a second glance, pretty much like a cane. IMy main one is from Osage Orange I harvested in the late 90s. I have one that weighs the same and is a rake handle I bought on an auction lot. Although they seem to weigh the same the latter is ballanced backwards as it's bigger at the bottom than the top. I don't care for that as I am swinging more weight each time. My main town walking staff has a brass hames head. It is heavy but you do not want to get gut punched or brained with it, if you are four legged or two legged. Most people admire it rather than fear it. Some day I will put some scrolls or carvings on it to disguise it more. I can't tell you how many times that Osage stick got caught between two rocks but held me upright and not break. That is a lot of weight that to match it with steel would be to heavy to carry.

Walking sticks are great, ty for sharing all of those great tips an tricks…

Blackie, I took your advice for a hiking stick. I can't remember if it was this video or another where you had taken a garden hoe and took the blade off. I liked that idea so much I went and picked up a huffy brand hoe from home depot and took the blade off. Not only can a giy use it as a hiking staff or what it was intended to be used for, breaking up the soil, but it will work great as a snake hook to. Thanks for the idea, stay strong, stay smart, and stay in the woods Brother!

Thank you, Blackie! Alas, I can search the Internet, and then what comes to mind is a mop handle. I'll see what's at the hardware and home improvement stores. Of course, Amazon will pop up in any search to say "Yeah, we got that!" and if they do, it's probably made in -- that far place. I'm an Air Force vet but not an athlete. I could use some pricey PT, but meanwhile what came to me was a big stick like yours. Good ideas come on first waking. At 82 I get lots of ideas. Maybe my mop handle will unscrew, and I can practice with that, see how it goes. And than, wish me luck finding a smart old wolf like you. Love from West Sacramento, CA

I use the modern foldable ones on boggy/swampy moorland, there's tiny little plants that grow in a carpet on the water and make it look like the solid ground next to it. Discovered this the inconvenient way!!!!

Another use in the colder seasons, if you are crossing questionable ice hold it in both hands out in front. If you were to go through the ice hang in and it will hopefully catch in the sides and keep you from going all the way through. Any little extra chance helps.

Absolutely! Was walking with mine and pinned a water moccasin that I didn't see at first. But when I felt it under my stick knew immediately what it was. Saved me from getting bitten. Very glad I had mine lol

Good video! Thanks, Sage Blackie!

Blackie, Great Video and Information Tips and Tricks. A good walking stick is a great tool. The Bo Staff is one of my favorite weapon ,having to walk with a cane now because of a Spinal Stroke due to Covid but when I go to the woods I take my walking stick. Thanks for sharing your Time and knowledge and wisdom and experience and passing on the Craft also your hard work. You Are The Master Woodsman and Bushcrafter. Tim L.

Still have mine from high school days, and I'm 63. Walk softly but carry a big stick! Have made close to 100 of them and gave many away.

Been using walking sticks for years . Yeah mostly for tossing snakes but also for clearing those pesky spider webs in the fall when I'm scouting for hunting season clearing brush for foraging etc.

Good video 👍

Blackie, I was thinking, how cool it is that you do this series for the older guys who are still getting out in the woods. Then it hit me. Crap! I'M one of the older guys now. 😂 Thanks for your content.

I've used a walking stick for years, long before I got older. In heavy terrain and creek/river crossings, etc, it's invaluable(North Georgia mtns.) I take a piece of heavy galvanized wire and run a couple circles and a good lock twist around the base. With just a nub left of wire-makes it great for "hooking" line, snakes, briars and various things- plus it saves on a lot of bending over. Thanks, Blackie.

The oldest and best companion and tool a hiker can have! Thanks for sharing. My rod and my staff, they comfort me. Been around, world wide forever, the pilgrim trail in Spain…

My Mothers cousins lived on the backside of the top of a mountain behind pigeon forge. I went to the top of the mountain, as close as I could get to it anyway, and hunted sing and looked for a staff. Found the sing but not the staff. About 30 years ago I was camping up in n pa on the Appalachian Trail with some good friends and we decided to go to the base of the mountain and camp one night. We set up next to a stream and I happened upon a beaver stick just over 5ft tall on the banks of the creek. It was fresh made and completely stripped of bark. From the looks of it I believe it to be sassafras. I would have liked it to be a bit thicker but it is the coolest staff I have ever owned. Even now as I sit at my desk writing this I pick it up and it brings me right back to that trip. I was gifted a shorter carved fish walking stick by a Jamaican friend of mine about 20 years ago. No idea what kind of wood it is but it is a rich dark redish /chocolate colour and the carving is exquisite. I never take it outside for fear of damaging it. I am going to poke around the internet to see if I can find a hunky piece of this iron wood for a staff now. Thanks for the video and the tips. Stay safe.

Thanks from another fan of ironwood! I cut my staff in Southeast Ohio when my son was born. It seemed too heavy at the time and I set it aside then found it several months later, dried and just right. My son is fifty years old now and said to me last time I used it "Ya' know. We're going to bury that thing with you!" Yes, I grew up in hill country and learned early how valuable a hefty stick can be for two-handed side pressure strength. Often have used mine as a brake when going down steep slopes. Thanks for the video. P.S. treat it with some linseed oil about every other year.

Great advice, much appreciated. I always love these sticks, but now with my age and health, I really need one 👍👍👍

Not much for ironwood or hickory up here in northwest Wisconsin. The preferred wood for hiking sticks is diamond willow. I have crafted a few dozen for family, friends and mostly veterans. One thing I learned early on was to prevent most of the warping when drying the sticks is pack them tightly into pvc pipe. Sometimes it took 2 pipes to do the job (sticks in one pipe and then that pipe into a bigger pipe) but it worked 99% of the time.

Fellow silver wolf here. Have had the same hiking/shooting staff for over 30 years. Made of good solid maple, it has been with me on many trips and is a constant companion.

Great video and informative Blacke....

I like the bit about how to dispose of the snake head after you cut it off. Good stuff.

And a Decent staff is a great and reliable beginnings to a stretcher ;-)

I always use hiking poles. Great for stabilization. I have weak wrists, so I need the lightest weight option. Also good for knocking down spider webs!

Blackie, Thank you so very much for this information. I have learned a lot about walking stick useage. And I thought 💭 going into the video that I was knowledgeable on the subject. But please don’t stop making these silver wolves videos. They are so helpful

February of last year there was a group of us that went to lower Alabama to help repair Halls Creek Baptist Church. On the last night there I had the opportunity to go coon hunting. At the edge of the woods was a pile of well seasoned branches. I made a walking stick a little taller than myself and it was extremely valuable. I couldn't guess how many vines it pushed out of the way along with creek crossing and traveling up and down banks/hills.

Hey Blackie! Great video! Love the silver wolves! Thanks!

I really enjoyed your videos. I am 51. I feel a little pride in joining the Silver Wolf Club! Walking is my new running. Thanks for your insight.

Great video, great advice. Thanks Blackie.

Great talk Blackie. Thank you.

Very good advice stay safe

Last time I heard anyone talk about Iron wood was my Grandfather. Excellent video .

I used to make my walking sticks from shovel handles but here a few weeks ago I got donated a stack of hockey and lacrosse sticks. I made a quck and simple one from a hockey stick and it worked out very nice. It is strong yet light and thin as well making it much more comfortable to use over a period of hours

Great tips.I have a walking stick and I use it the same ways. Uneven terrain is easily mastered... and it's a marvelous weapon

Another limb of knowledge from the tree of wisdom. Great video Blackie!

We live on a brook with beaver .. their naw marks make some nice decorative patterns on any size stick you need. A couple more uses; I use a longer thinner staff, which helps balance only, as you said Blackie, but has some reach to prod livestock and herd chickens ... When they see the stick coming their way they know how to react, after some practice. The beaver keep me supplied with quite a variety of sticks for every purpose ... Thanks Mr Thomas for your practical video's

Great info. I learned a lot.

I just posted a short yesterday of a walking stick I carved. I sell them at folk art festivals. I think of them as functional art. I make them out of ironwood, maple, hickory, ash. It just depends. Most of them have a paracord wrap about 16 feet long for some extra usefulness.

I dig it! Ive bought 3 and gven 1 away. Thank you kindly sir for all purpose of the stick. Realy like yours.

Good video Blackie , thanks for sharing , God bless brother !

Thank you so much! I am from Canada and have moved to the southern US. I miss hiking in the woods and haven't been for fear of snakes. Thanks to you I know how to deal with them and can get back into the woods. Just need to learn how to avoid alligators....

I use a telescopic walking stick when I’m out with my emergency service group looking for lost people in the bush. I use it to scare away snakes. In my Australian state, we have 9 of the 10 most venomous snakes on the planet.

Excellent tool! You’ve pointed out some uses that I’ve never thought of, too.👍

Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺. Thank you for your time to make these videos.

I see one knows about stick fighting. I watch this guy on youtube and he talks about this and gives us stuff to defend ourselves with. I also got on the seach engine and looked up fighting with sticks or defending ourselves with sticks. And I got to download a bunch of stuff on this . Thanks Paul

😂😂 man im dead. I aint a silver wolf.... yet. I got me a stick when i was out west years ago, kinda like souvenier at that age. Ive used it very intermittently over the years. But, i took it out when we took our cub scouts out for a hike, we got back to the car and my wife asked me what was wrong. Told her i ended up using that stick more than i expected😅😅

Good info, Blackie. I'm new here, 76 yrs old. I'll be hunting a fine piece of wood for my stick.

Great video with good info. Started hiking in my 20s , back in the 80s and have always carried a bamboo staff I cut and cured by placing in an old hatch back car sitting in the sun for a couple weeks. It ended up with a awesome patina. Added a neoprene grip and plastic cane tip on the end which has been replaced many times. Lightest, strongest staff ever. I wouldn't even go for a day hike without it.

Just found this channel, love it! "Silver Wolves"! My speed!

This is great stuff. Love the old time wisdom. Looking forward to the next one.

Hi Blackie, I got a nice fairly straight pine stick about 20 years ago while camping. I sanded it down, stained it and sprayed some clear acrylic over it. It's about 1-1/2 inch in diameter and isn't very heavy. It seems pretty sturdy. I don't think we have Ironwood here in Michigan. But I would like to find some Hickory. Thanks for the great information. 👍

You got a million bucks worth of knowledge Sir Thomas. I really appreciate your videos. Thanks

As a hiker, I always carry a thick hiking stick when in the woods. I love it. It really helps keep me stable on uneven, rocky ground. Thank you for the informative video.

Excellent Blackie. You didn't mention bamboo. Strong in compression, not as strong laterally like an aluminum tubing, but really lightweight. The bottom will splinter unless you put a crutch tip on it. I have a Mesquite root that was dug up when excavating an irrigation pipe. Straight and strong. Has a hook at the top. I have used it to defend against an ornery javelina.

I got one of those polyproline walking sticks from Cold Steel. It is heavy with a ball head and made like a blackthorn staff but thicker and tougher. I also have a cane like it I use when my knees acts up. Both will support me easily and are solid. I didn't use to use either but now I know better. Thanks for the great talk on them. Take Care and Stay Safe.

I have a beautiful natural colored and polished Manzanilla staff 5' tall that has seen several hundred miles of hiking and backpacking. It's almost as strong as iron wood but is more brittle. I'm also well versed in Bó, so it's very versatile with about the same weight as iron wood. I love how you've incorporated some outdoor knowledge, you've probably helped a lot of people to not get wrecked in the forest. As far as guns go, I carry a .357 revolver with snake shot. Thanks for the tips Blackie.

Thanks for sharing.

I'm certainly no silver wolf, but my stick has been my companion for a good long while, even saved me from a couple sticky situations. Louisiana live oak, strong as anything. Took it up to wyoming, and it helped me deal with navigation through my first couple of heavy snow falls. It was coming down heavy enough that my boot prints would be covered right up, but I would drag my stick and leave a deep path that wouldn't be covered up as I went, and hey, I got home. All my fellas make fun of me for not using hiking poles, but buddy they can keep em.

I've used mine for pole vaulting myself for get across creeks or ditches.

Good advice for anyone of any age. Love your videos Blackie they always make me think about something in a different way.

Another great video Blackie! I made a cane with a hame ball for the handle. Filled with shot and epoxy before attaching. I also made a staff out of oak. Drilled a hole in center of top. Used a wood thread hook eye to run in the hole. Gives a good hook to reach and grab for fruit and nuts. I also took an old spear point blade and welded the same threads to it to make a ready switch from staff to spear. I carry both in a pouch attached to pack strap for easy access. Love your videos. Tell me more about Alpo! Ha

During my walking hike I was feeling so tired and started aching. An older man walked past me using some Trek poles. As I doubled back, I made myself a pole from a long branch. Boy what a difference. I had more support for my lower back and legs and I was able to make it back without dying!! Peace!

Thank you Blackie, a good walking stick is a joy to use.

Thank you Blackie. I have a wooden staff that I use around my property.. it helps me to not fall over. Stay safe out in the woods. The snakes are out in full force now..

Great tips and so many uses for a walking stick. I like to carve basswood toppers and attach to mine as decoration. I use poplar dowels a lot but I like the choice of American Hornbeam - that is a strong piece of wood.

What do you think about a Bois ‘ darc staff. Mine is a little crooked but I have had it for about 15 years now. Your content is great. Have a wonderful year and keep entertaining us with your wisdom for the old ways. 👍😎👍

Thx for the vid Blackie

I really enjoyed your video. As a former scout we would always locate and use a walking stick when out in the back country. As stated so many uses. Now that I’m much older I think it might be time to find one I can use around my neighborhood when walking my dog. Also love your hat. If you read this would love to know the brand so I could possibly track one down. Cheers.

Always used a hiking stick. My thinking , in addition to the usual reasons, which Blackie Thomas covered very well , was to exercise the upper body more so some of my sticks have been intentionally heavy . My main heavy one started as a 2”x2”x6’ fine straight grain ash (think gymnastic equipment wood) sliced from a 2”x12” purchased from a specialty lumber outlet which was torn down and replaced by WaterfrontPark in Seattle decades ago . I hewed it into shape mostly with a wood plane and a hunting knife. That was more than 40 years ago and it has worn down somewhat shorter now . Still in use and still one of my favorites hiking sticks.

I do not have access to a wild iron wood staff, but I did purchase a 5 foot, laminated hickory, "impact rated" bo staff from purple heart armory. I put a paracord weave handle on it with a nice hand loop, and a copper covered tip that I put a cane tip on. I love it! My wife uses the telescoping trek poles. I don't like them, they look flimsy and untrustworthy. My trusty hickory staff will support my weight, and knock the absolute crap out of most critters I may come across, two legged or otherwise.

Beautiful piece. She looks strong.

Great video on the walking stick I made one out of aluminum inch and a quarter in diameter one-eighth of an inch thick I put paracord for the handle area and Gorilla Tape for survival use and then another layer of paracord for survival use and then camouflage the rest of it

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, greetings from Northern California. Thank you for sharing this informative video. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋

Great stuff!

That ironwood looks amazing, wish cud get sum of that in England! Oaks an cedar or walnut maybe but no ironwood anywhere. 💖👣Your knowledge is great, another top notch episode blackie. 🍀

I have dried some blackthorn for two years and made some lovely Shillelagh walking sticks, and I’ve just came across a huge rare piece I’d forgotten I’d cut that will make an amazing blackthorn staff. It’s about 30mm in diameter with a walking stick shape handle on the root end. It’s too good to cut down to a walking stick though- so a staff it will become! That’s why I’m here 👍🇬🇧 (edit) it’s 6 ft 6” high!

A great session! My first time here. Thanks!!

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY brother thank you for sharing your information and adventures

I know you intend to reach out to the older generation. I think it's cool, but I've noticed that it really applies to all ages. Thanks Blackie.

Some very good tips. Thank you.