[Carl Levitian]

I've been making hiking staffs for a while now, and even have sold some at craft shows. Carl's third leg hiking sticks. Anyways, I'd read someplace a long while back, that the old 'rod' like in "Thy rod and thy staff will comfort me" was actually a short staff that was only as high as your lower most rib. Apparently some people even in biblical times just preferred a shorter staff. I remember from my time in the service when stationed in the Mideast, most Arab men in the market place carried a short staff like stick.

To the point; I have found that when selling my sticks, and given the choice, most people seem to like it a bit shorter. They look at several sticks, and after a short discussion, they have me cut off the stick in question at their lower rib.

While I never leave the house without my walking stick, normal inside the wrist height, I have found that the shorter rib high staff is handier in the woods while hiking. I've had a few longer staffs, but have cut them all down to the lower most rib height. Works our handy in the woods, and not too outlandish for suburban parks.

Anyone else prefer a shorter hiking staff than normal?

[bikerdoc]

While I never leave the house without my walking stick, normal inside the wrist height, I have found that the shorter rib high staff is handier in the woods while hiking

That has been my experience also.

[conw]

That is the longest I would go. Neat point-of-reference. I like mine a bit higher than inside of wrist, a bit lower than lowest rib, personally.

[Brian Williams]

My measuring piont is my forearm parallel to to the ground and cut it off just a bit above my fist. Just about the same length as my lower rib, only the width of my fist higher.

[Deltaboy]

I have one that I use hiking that is just under my arm pit that I love.

[conw]

Sounds like an odd way to walk with a stick, have you tried holding it with your hand? :neener:

[JShirley]

I like about 4' for hiking. (I'm about 66" for reference.)

John

[Kingcreek]

standing straight but relaxed, elbow at 90 degrees, cut for grip height at top of hand.

[wheelgunslinger]

This is how trekking poles are recommended to be sized.
There's a lot of science behind trekking poles you may want to read up on and include in your staff designs.
The canted grip of a trekking pole is more comfortable than a straight stick. Would be nice to find some wood staves with this feature.

[conw]

The canted grip of a trekking pole is more comfortable than a straight stick. Would be nice to find some wood staves with this feature.

2-3 of my favorites have this and I didn't even know why I liked them so much :)

[p35]

I actually like mine around 2" below the lowest rib- the "level forearm" length feels right when you're making it but I find it too long on the trail. De gustibus non disputandem est, as my father used to say.