[audioautomatica]

My neighbors have a mini bamboo forest. I've heard bamboo is quite strong.

I've been thinking about asking them if I could have a stalk to make a walking stick.


Only problem is..

I don't know anything about species of bamboo, or what species is strong or would make a good walking stick.

And I don't know how to go about making a good walking stick. To make hardwood you just let the wood dry for a LONG time, right? So would I just cut it to length, strip away the green and let it dry?

My neighbors bamboo is about thumb thick at the top of the stalk, and they almost reach the roof of our two story house.

[the iron horse]

Once you cut it.

It has to cure (dry out)

[22-rimfire]

Bambo is hollow and hence may not make quite as good a walking stick as some other light woods even though it is very strong for the weight.

Not trying to be sarcastic, but a $10 hickory hoe handle from the hardware store makes a pretty good walking stick. Buy the thickness you like. I actually prefer the one with the metal tip for the hoe.

[hksw]

Bamboo is the current ultimate evolution of grass. If you were to let the grass on your lawn to grow without cutting, it will have a similar structure to bamboo, but just smaller.

As noted above, bamboo in its natural form is hollow inside, the hollowness divided by webs making seperated segments. Where the segments inside are located can be found on the exterior of the trunk as ribs that go round the circumference with roughly the same distances between ribs.

Bamboo is relatively strong (longitudinally) for its weight but can easily fail if the walls of the trunk are crushed, which can be easily done as the inside is hollow. During bending, the trunk walls will readly collapse or split.

Bamboo fishing rods are not thin bamboo lengths in their natural state (i.e., hollow interior). They are bamboo walls cut into lengthwise segments and then glued back together into a solid, non-hollow, rod. This increases the bamboo's flexibility and resilience.

[mfcmb]

bamboo makes great walking sticks. It's fine to use it green. But you need a stiff variety, and you'd want it to be 1-1/2 to 2" in diameter. Cut it long -- more like a quarterstaff than a cane.

[meef]

I don't think it's legal to carry bamboo concealed without a license because bamboo shoots.

[CSestp]

I don't think it's legal to carry bamboo concealed without a license because bamboo shoots.

When I make a living off of stand up comedy, I am going to have to thank people like you meef along with some others here at THR.org

[RX-178]

As a weapon, a bamboo staff is incredibly fast moving, inflicts VERY painful blows, but generally does not do much physical damage.

The exception is with thrusting the staff forward, in the manner of a spear. Even unsharpened, that kind of blow from a bamboo staff can cause serious, even lethal injury.

In general, it's going to be very easy for you to wield, no matter what your background is, but don't expect a 'one-shot-stop'.

[TAB]

bamboo also tends to spilt when you strick something with it. Its not a very good choice.

[RX-178]

Although if and when it does split, that doesn't mean you can't keep hitting someone with it.

In fact, depending on how it splits, it could cause some pretty nasty lacerations to the target. Keeping a few sections bound with wire could help keep the split from reaching your hands.

[audioautomatica]

Does anyone know a good website that has sturdy (hand made, although that isn't necessary) staves/walking sticks? Preferably from firsthand experience.

Things that can be reliable as weapons.

I commute on bicycle, so I'm often in bad neighborhoods in the open. I'll most likely be getting a pistol (which I'll OC to avoid conflicts before they start) but hopefully I'll never have to use it. And an impact weapon can break wrists and fingers, so knives and fists from bigger guys won't be as large of a threat.

I'm not looking for canes, or sticks that look like gnarled branches or anything with fancy designs or wrist straps.

And I can easily fashion something to carry it on my back, if it happens to be a staff, although something over my head might be a bit much; I'm 5'9.

Thank you all for your input, I'll leave the bamboo to grow and find a better alternative. :]

[Leadhead]

White wax wood makes a good staff.
It's sold for martial arts use.

http://www.google.ca/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=white+wax+wood+staff&meta=&btnG=Google+Search

Are you allowed to open carry in Washington state?

[audioautomatica]

Thanks Lead, and yeah we are.

[Mp7]

Bamboo Shoots are thought to be responsible
for the recent rise in street violence near asian fast food joints.

[Carl Levitian]

The problem with the stuff is as it ages, it splits and goes to pieces. I once made a couple hiking staves out of some large bamboo, and they all displayed lack of long term durability.

I can only assume that the reason it was ever used for anything, was in certain parts of the world its all over. Cheap native material. If it comes apart, cut another right at the roadside. It's okay for Southeast Asia, but for the western hemisphere, there is way better materials available.

Rattan, now thats a different story.

[Dirty Bob]

If you want a light, stylish walking stick for support and stability, give bamboo a try. Just make sure you have the nodes on both ends of the stick, and cover one end with a crutch tip to protect it and for a better grip.

If you need something for defense, I would not choose natural bamboo. It's a bit light for a weapon, and it's fragile as a striking tool. On the other hand, if you cut strips of bamboo and laminate them together (the way bows and cutting boards and bamboo floors are made), you might have an effective stick for self-defense.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

[hso]

because bamboo shoots

Owwww!

If you see a panda in a restaurant, get out immediately for your own safety. You don't want to be part of a news story headlined as "Panda eats bamboo shoots and leaves". sorry, had to

BTW, depends upon the species of bamboo how small the void space in the cell is. Regardless, a hickory stave is much better than bamboo for impact weapons and you can order them from livestock supplies. Take an escrima course and you'll have skills to go along with the weapon.

[stevemis]

I'm not sure how it would work for a walking/defensive stick, but it's awesome for flooring.

My neighbor has bamboo growing out of control on his property. Every year he cuts it all down and burns it and it sounds like gunshots when the webs cut loose.

[JShirley]

There is an Asian hardwood that I was using for a while to make 3 and 4' sticks. It was extremely tough (1" stick stick destroyed a cinder block), but I'll probably have to do some searching to find what it was. I do know it was cheap, and I bought it from a dowel supply place.

Really, if you can find it, the ultimate "walking stick" will be a 4-5' piece of canvas micarta just barely over 1" thick.

John

[James T Thomas]

Audi:

You stated "hand made;" by which, I suppose you mean fully crafted.

How ever, try www.brazos-walking-sticks.com under the category of Free Form Sticks.

They do have good varities of bamboo, but what you really describe is a solid hardwood stick, which they have also. Even medium weight ones.

The "crafting" is simply finishing, cutting to length; while the stick remains what I would describe as rustic. I like them that way.

[CWL]

Rattan, now thats a different story.

Agree 100%.

I think there may be some confusion between rattan and bamboo. bamboo is hollow and the thinner varieties useable for canes tend to have thin walls, this will split and crack with age or accidental impacts.

Rattan is solid and is composed of solid fibers. When properly dried, they make scary-fast impact weapons such as used for escrima. Certain Asian police organizations use clubs made of rattan up to 4' lengths. Lengths of rattan can be purchased from furniture importers and from martial arts supply houses.

[JShirley]

Here ya go. Ramin (http://www.midwestdowel.com/catalog.php/CatID=23/?SessionID=jhld556d9fh7spl58rf17t09g6). I'd go for the 1 1/8" diameter in 48" length.

[LAK]

Another one:

http://www.canemasters.com/exotic-walking-canes-iron-bamboo-walking-canes-c-1_27_31.html

and two more for rattan:

http://www.valleymartialarts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=162_178&products_id=271

http://www.normstrainingblades.com/Rattan%20Sticks.htm

[alaskanativeson]

Really, if you can find it, the ultimate "walking stick" will be a 4-5' piece of canvas micarta just barely over 1" thick.

You wouldn't happen to know of a source, would you?

[JShirley]

http://www.mcmaster.com/
I think you want part 8467K22.

[Sir Aardvark]

Try the House Handle Co.

They sell 36" and 60" Stockmens Walking Canes for less than Cane Master's.

http://www.househandle.com/

[Dr. Snubnose]

Best bet for SD would be a piece of Rattan...they are strong beyond belief and will break bones rather quick.....Doc:D

[alaskanativeson]

White wax wood is also a really great wood for staffs.

Source (http://budk.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_46+BK1396)
Another source (http://www.kingofswords.com/Sais-Spears/72-White-Wax-Wood-Staff.html)
Another source (http://www.weaponmasters.com/shopping/4-Foot-Wax-Wood-Staff-p-17236.html)

[Leadhead]

White wax wood is also a really great wood for staffs.



X3 :)

[PRM]

Been raising two groves for several years now. I like it - pretty to look at. I have walking stick out of Incense Bamboo that is about the diameter of a quarter, maybe a little larger. Its about 2 years old, seen a lot of use and is still going strong. Very light and strong enough for my needs. I have a compass on a cork for the top, and the hollow section at the top is a neat storage area for small items such as tender, water proof matches and a striker in thin plastic wrap... After mine cured out good, I gave it several coats of clear satin polyurethane to protect it.

[vicdotcom]

Bamboo is made up of hollow chambers. Once dried, it is hard,flexible but will also split down the length.

What you want is Rattan. Rattan grows in nodes like bamboo does, but instead of hollow chambers, Rattan is solid inside. It consists of long lengthwise fibers that grow the lenth of the plant.

Rattan is what most Escrimadors use when stick fighting. It has the speed of bamboo and is lightweight. But more strength.