Boyd's walking sticks.

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Nice! I really like the twist on the grip that will allow you to choke up on it in close quarters. I may have to have one of these.
 
Went there but didn't notice any known hardwood like dymondwood, hickory, oak, ironwood, etc., offered.

There is a LOT that I don't know about wood. Sometime, flex is a good thing.

Thanks,

salty
 
Sometime, flex is a good thing.
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If you look at the types of sticks commonly used in martial arts training you will find that they all share this trait. Rattan, blackthorn, Osage orange and now the new high impact plastics all have a degree of flexion that allows them to withstand clashing together in repetitive blocking drills. Typical hardwoods like oak and hickory tend to split when hit together.

Edited in: With the exception of Osage orange most of the traditional materials are too light for anything beyond training but they hold up really well. For real self-defense common hardwoods are fine because you probably will not be doing any blocking as stick on stick fights are very rare outside the dojo as not one in a thousand people have the skill to block reflexively. If it will hold up to full impact blows on an old tire it will hold up just against a human body the few times you might need to use it.
 
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Dymondwood isn't a "known hardwood." It is a man-made product similar to a very special plywood: http://www.rutply.com/products/dymondwood.html

Sometimes refererred to by the generic name of COMPREG, DymondWood® is a highly engineered wood/plastic composite, that has the physical and mechanical properties of high density hardwood, acrylic, polycarbonate plastics and brass. Here, brightly dyed northern hardwood veneers are combined with engineering grade resins, heat and pressure to create a product that has the best characteristics of each. DymondWood® is distinguished by its unique strength, durability, dimensional stability, and weather and moisture resistance as compared to regular wood.
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Boyd's makes their stocks out of it -- and now also makes these walking sticks out of it, because it has some properties that surpass solid (natural) woods.
 
Dymondwood is strong, though it doesn't flex much.

I know people who've broken it on (soft) striking targets*. The other problem with using dymondwood is that it's too slick. Perversely, extremely slick wood finishes will stick to your hands. A slightly rougher uniform texture will allow you to shift grips without losing skin off your hands.

I still prefer canvas micarta. A 1 to 1-1/8" OD is perfect.


*Yes, we DO hit hard, thank you very much. :D

John
 
What I was trying to get across is that, on Boyd's web site, I don't know what any of those names are. As far as I can tell, they could be stylish names of the newest designer latte.

Thanks,

salty

EDIT: So all of those foo-foo names are color descriptions and the composition is dyamondwood?

sd.
 
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So all of those foo-foo names are color descriptions and the composition is dyamondwood?
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A ha! Yes, you got it. "Purple lagoon sunset horizon" or whatever is their name for the color pattern. Each laminate layer is dyed some intense color and they can produce different looks by mixing and matching the layers. But its all Dymondwood.
 
I wonder if these "walking sticks" are TSA approved to fly with?

It would sure be good for a hijack prevention weapon.

TK
 
I wonder if these "walking sticks" are TSA approved to fly with?

It would sure be good for a hijack prevention weapon.

TK
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YES!

Walking sticks are protected under The Americans With Disabilities Act as medical equipment just like wheel chairs. You can not be discriminated against for using a cane nor can they ask you about the nature of your disability as it is confidential medical information.
 
I wonder if these "walking sticks" are TSA approved to fly with?
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If you carry a cane you can fly with it as long as it doesn't conceal a weapon in it. TSA doesn't "approve" canes since they're an assistive device. Check the cane thread currently running and you'll find a lot of info.
 
I can only wonder if a long hiking staff will be viewed as a cane, when trying to board a plane. Someitmes if you get too far out of the box, the Federal mindset can't deal with it, and they default to the 'no' mode. Not to mention that 48 inches is one heck of a big stick. A full size staff. Way to big to be useful in the confines of an airline cabin crowded with people.
 
Dyamondwood is relatively HEAVY. I've flown with a (well worn) oak cane on every flight I've taken (domestic & international) since 9/11. It's handy to lean against standing in line, some polite folks give you a tad more personal space, and no one has ever raised a questioning eyebrow. They can't question if you "need" one because they can't know if you do or you don't. I wouldn't fly without one. But I'm not sure if the Hiking Staff length would pass through as smoothly.
 
Way to big to be useful in the confines...
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...for most people. I'm hesistant now to say what others can't do. Though I do agree a 48" would look out of place.
 
A typical 3 foot 'walking cane' is really too long to use in the confines of a plane unless you limit it to straight thrusts. It is still a lot better than nothing since they don't let you carry your knife anymore. You can choke up on it a bit for circular strikes and make do if you practice. Since 9-11 I really don't think anything is likely to happen on the plane. It is the trip in and out of the airport parking lot where I feel like I need my stick.
 
Which part of "cane use is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act" did you want to question, exactly?!

There was a study done about a year ago that found the nonsense liquid restrictions and such have NO effect on passenger safety. Even the TSA experts agreed.
 
White waxwood. It's relatively cheap, and nearly indestructible. (It could be burnt, I guess.) I use a 5ft version as a hiking staff--- the wife carries a 4ft . Any martial arts supplier will have them for about $20. They use it for bos, jos, dragon poles, and spears.
 
I did have a U.S. Customs Agent inquire about the origin of my stick. She said that they were looking for termites and that certain wooden items weren't allowed in.

Yeah, sure. No wood from Mexico.

salty
 
Ghost Tracker said:
I look at this way, hijacker with a box cutter vs. a BACKWOODS REDNECK with a big oak stick. Who would YOU bet on?
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I would bet that future Jihadi terrorists wouldn't necessarily use boxcutters or maybe even planes if they're smart and serious. Best not to underestimate their intelligence. A cane won't do much versus a dirty bomb...
 
saltydog452 said:
I did have a U.S. Customs Agent inquire about the origin of my stick. She said that they were looking for termites and that certain wooden items weren't allowed in.

Yeah, sure. No wood from Mexico.

salty
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Tell them none of there business and tell them about the ADA and Medical privacy act which can get said Custom agent sued or fired.
 
I did have a U.S. Customs Agent inquire about the origin of my stick. She said that they were looking for termites and that certain wooden items weren't allowed in.

Yeah, sure. No wood from Mexico.
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Hmm, never thought of that one. Yes technically they are allowed to ask that regardless of ADA and MPA, but if they cannot explicitly prove it is a prohibited wood they can't do anything. I don't see this ever being a problem unless you flew to a foreign country, crafted a stick there from a bug-infested piece of wood, and brought it back. If your stick left with you from the US, it's obviously safe.
 
We went on a boat ride courtesy of Disney with a couple of the Grand-kids. One of the ports-of-call was in Mexico.

Although we stayed on board, we did have to go through Customs and Immigration when we docked in Orlando/Canaveral. Dogs were sniffing luggage and questions were asked. My stick seemed to irk the matronly Immigration Officer. Although anyone can have a 'bad hair day' on occasion, a walking stick that had gone through an X-Ray wouldn't seem to present much of a threat.

I suspect that she was just doing her job as she saw it.

There are LOTS of wooden crated items imported from Mexico. Kinda doubtful if the wood of those crates received as much attention as my stick.


People bring all sorts of stuff 'home' as keepsakes. Including Burmese Pythons.


salty
 
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