Packable, Defensive, and Survival Walking Sticks

Walking sticks are a classic mainstay of hiking gear, but there are alternatives to the classic stick (even beyond trekking poles). Here I put three alternative walking sticks through their paces (often with dramatic results!). First up is the Forest Pilot 3-Piece Wood Walking Stick that breaks down into a packable size. Second is the BlackSwift Raptor Self Defense Walking Stick - a more urban walking stick that is lightweight but can do some serious damage. Third, I review the Prime Adventure Tactical Walking Stick that contains tools and survival gear (like a walking stick for Rambo!)

0:00 Walking Sticks vs. Trekking Poles
1:39 Forest Pilot 3-Piece Wood Walking Stick
3:43 BlackSwift Raptor Self Defense Walking Stick
6:32 Raptor vs. Watermelon
8:08 Prime Adventure Tactical Walking Stick
9:45 T-Handle vs. Car Window
10:34 Tools and Weight
13:10 Testing the Tactical Tools
15:45 Final Thoughts

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Pressure Cooker by Jeremy Korpas (YouTube Audio Library)

[PaulAnderson-lztn]

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]

[MexicanMovie]

thanks, i just learned to not waste money on the Prime Adventures stick, you saved me almost a hundred bucks !!! thank you!!!!

[icusawme]

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.

[craigmooring]

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.

[patrickbuechel]

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.

[sleddingfarmer]

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.

[theeddorian]

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.

[hondolane]

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.

[matthewarnold]

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.

[Flashahol]

Great and interesting finds! Personally, anything "tactical" that does 100 things never accomplishes any of these things quite properly.

[lanedexter]

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.

[msfam]

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

[fouroakscrafts]

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!

[inregionecaecorum]

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.

[larrykostopulos]

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.

[wanderingoutyonder]

Nice look at several items! Appreciate the information!

[Arariel]

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.

[hrhosmer]

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 😅

[roguebotanist]

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.

[Erin-Thor]

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.) 😊