Free Branch to Awesome Walking/Hiking Stick! (Simple DIY Guide)

[Non-sponsored Video]
Besides improving balance and reducing effort, walking sticks have a multitude of uses while hiking or backpacking. A strong stick adds a lot of versatility and doesn't require special skills or tools to construct one.

In this video, I show the full process I used to convert a Douglas Fir tree from my property into an attractive and functional piece of hiking gear.

This is a fun entry-level project using natural wood to make something useful.

Note: This channel earns a small commission if you make a purchase from the below affiliate links, which helps the channel to continue making content. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Seen in this Video:
Council Tool 1.25 Lb. Hunter's Hatchet
Arno 6" Convex Forged Drawknife
RYOBI 15 Amp 10 in. Sliding Miter Saw with Laser, TSS102L
Harbor Freight 30"x1" combination belt sander
Craftsman 10" Drill Press
Craftsman Round File
Minwax No. 225 Red Mahogany wood stain
Zinsser Clear Shellac

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[billroberts]

You now have a quality walking stick due to your craftsmanship.

[gem]

Great process. Beautiful stick! I enjoy making sticks myself. I love being outdoors and finding a piece with character of bent or twisted birch, madrone, pine or oak. There's no set way to making a stick. You can find down trees with plenty of dry wood. Just enjoy life... what the good Lord has provided and be happy.
Thanks.

[TheHyena-rubz]

I have a stick I took from a beach at Santa Cruz during the rare snow fall last week. I'm going to make it a walking stick and this video taught me some great tips. Thank you!

[jmw]

Well I just learned something. Drying time.
I cut 2 branches and de-barked yesterday. I'll let them dry and then continue.
The idea of writing a message is simple but something I wouldn't have. Gonna try that also.
Cool video. Thanks.

[maryjaneboucher]

Excellent…I am going to do this…..you were great teacher…simple to follow and you explained each step perfectly!!! Than you….Well Done!

[davidschmidt]

nice work with the draw-knife. It's easy to get pre-cut, pre-rounded "staffs" nowadays...kinda takes the whole 'personal hand-work' out of it.... Good job.

[brickhouse]

The look of the wood is amazing, and your choice of wood was nice as well but I'm not sure how far I'm going to want to walk carrying a 10 pound walking stick that you need giant hands to hold. Useful info, however. Much luck in all your future videos and adventures sir.

[kevinwilt]

Beautiful stick. I might experiment with your hatchet method. I usually use a plane to, remove knots from the sticks I make. For the foot I use a copper pipe cap then I put a long lag bolt in the middle I cut off the top of the bolt and file it to a spike. Then cover that with a rubber foot like you did that way there's a option if you need to dig in for traction.

[Krispy]

Great job - one tip that can be used is that I grind the nubs off the piece of wood instead of using a hatchet or a knife to remover them - sometimes I use a bench grinder and sometimes I use a portable grinder - but it works welol for me and is much simpler and faster.

[beebob]

Nice job. Well explained. I like the comment of waiting for the stick to dry. The drying time is right on. I have lumber I cut with my chain saw and an Alaskan saw mill. It's coming up on three years air drying on the porch. 900 board feet of it is taking up space. But drying wood is so important.

[hermanvigil]

Very nice, I made one myself and is a great walking staff also use as shooting rest for hunting

[outpostcamp]

Well done! I live in NE Oregon so I subscribed. Thanks - from Hells Canyon, Frank.

[pyrosmoak]

Nice job man that looks great. Such a great gift, I'm sure she'll love it.

[tomasjasicek]

very nice staff...great color...even great as a tripod for your camera(mobile)..it is enough to, monocular,stretching of the back and biceps behind the back on the hike and many others ..👍

[JANEEDISTURBED]

He said in the beginning that you don't need any special tools, but he showed all of these special tools he already has. Even tools made in other countries. 😒

From experience, I know that making anything such as a staff or walking sticks, it doesn't matter the knots on a branch. The drying process already takes place the moment a branch separates itself from a tree (opposed to being forcefully removed by hand). So, using branches/sticks laying around on the ground in nature are the best options to use. You can shorten the knots and even smooth them out some, which gives the entire piece character. And if you wanna go even farther, you can go by every inch of the branch's shape and create significant and intricate designs along the way.

Great work btw. Looks like a pretty strong walking stick.

[HiThere-igiz]

Looks awesome! I just got some boiled linseed oil for the maple stick I'm working on; I wonder how it would compare to the wood stain in looks vs protection

[nevillejennings]

Really enjoyed ur video just ur straight forward n simple approach makes it easy n not ramblin to much thankyou...

P.S. Got nother subscriber here lovely jubbly ...

[nevillejennings]

Oh yes forgot to ask if its OK to use pine branches for said walking stick ? I get that it has the resin in, this is why I'm askin bcos of time period, & the moisture content off of pine sap/resin, also it has just a wee bit of flex in it !!

I do have one or two others from different trees but it's mainly Pine n Ash, n birch i think ! Can't wait to have em dried out properly .. All the best a fellow enthusiast...

[Harleyrk]

What if you have a fresh dropped oak tree limb and don't wish to wait years to make a walking stick? 🤠

[kevinflem]

you should use a wood file to get the knots out of the stick.