MYOG Short self defense stick

I keep a variety of sticks of differing diameters, lengths and materiels on hand for training purposes. As I don't carry my favorite one daily I can't rely on what might be be at hand when needed, so it's beneficial to practice with a range of sticks. My current fave is a 24" hickory of 1" dia. that started life as a broom handle.

For me, a 1.25-1.5 diameter, 2 foot length of American Hornbeam (leftover from a cane making project). They don't call this stuff "ironwood" for nothing, and it's actually surprisingly light.

For the handle, wrap in a nice pattern with some leather shoelace. I recommend not cutting notches for grip unless you coat it in polyurethane, the wood is a mild irritant. Of course I don't know if the stuff grows out there in the Northwest. But I'm sure there is some kind of local wood that is similar.

Forget short get a Stockcane and you got a good tool. It will bring no unwanted LEO attendtion.

Check on 7/8 inch diameter aluminum pipe with rubber cane tips on the end if you want. Very light, strong, good feeling in the hand. We have 48 inchers for hiking. It would be possible to "load" one end inside possibly without too much difficulty if desired. Any number of possible ways to do it.

A trip to the local hardware store tool handle department will net you any number of nice hickory hammer, hatchet, ax, & shovel handles you can modify to your hearts desire.

But most any of them would serve nicely just like you carry it out of the store.

But probably a good cane would get you less sidelong glances and ID checks from the local gendarmes while you are out about the town.

rc

Livestock canes are hickory or oak and great if you like the crook. I don't so I make mine out of straight grain hickory using the rootball for the grip. Or taper the straight grain hickory and drill a hole in a billiard ball and epoxy the top into it. The trick is to make it look as common as possible, no load, knives, deep grooves or sharpened hooks not to mention sharpened metal tips. Mine averages about 22oz, the weight of a heavy cue stick.

hso wrote:

I purchase hickory livestock canes and modify their crooks to open them up and point them and then finish as needed.

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Same!

A good Livestock Cane can make a perfectly serviceable walking cane or a cane for self defense.

Most…will be long enough so that after you cut it down (to fit yourself), you will be left with a piece about 24” long.

I prefer to shorten the left over part to about 20”, as I find that easier to wield.



The stick can be used “as is” or you can make some type of a “grip” for it.

Makes a good stick to keep around the house….where you might not have ready access to a superior weapon.

hickory sledge hammer handle, cut down to the length you like.

I have to agree with Deltaboy. How do you explain having that 20" baton to the investigating LEO? The LEO couldn't legally question your possession of an appropriate length stockman's cane.

I have to agree with Deltaboy. How do you explain having that 20" baton to the investigating LEO? The LEO couldn't legally question your possession of an appropriate length stockman's cane.

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the same way you explain your gun......" i had it for my protection".......assuming to live in an area where its legal for you to own them.

I'm not sure that analogy works outside the house. Otherwise, why not a pipe or SAP?

I put up big tents for a living and every time one of my new laborers breaks a sledge hammer I make some sort of whacking stick.

A club is illegal here and the license is a concealed HANDGUN license. The club will get you in deep doo-doo.

I went to a local secondhand sporting goods store and got a kids T ball bat, right about 22 inches, hard aluminum. Works well. I also have a couple of canes.

T ball bats generally don't raise many eyebrows when you have kids and a glove and ball in the back.