Go pick this stuff up:
Pruning saw from Walmart in Garden section ($10-15)
marker tape from hardware store (2.00)
twine (3.00)
bug spray (2.50)
Go into the woods and cut various saplings, always longer than necessary, and if possible find some sturdy dead (clearcut areas have lots) saplings and even fallen branches can work.
Using a pocket knife, shave any bark off that you want off
The wet sticks sit for about 2 months in a shed or basement
Finishing materials:
Foam brushes (2.00 for a multi pack)
Minwax stain (I have golden oak, early american, and red mahogany - three very different colors) (4.00)
Some kind of semi-gloss polyurethane (7.00)
Tung oil (4.00)
60, 100, and 220 grit sandpaper (3.00)
0000 steel wool (2.00)
ladder tips or furniture tips in rubber. get some 1/2", 3/4", 7/8", and 1". (2.00)
Turpentine (optional)
File or rasp (optional)
Dremel tool (optional)
Rags
Optional: hame knob, T handle, paracord for wraps
Sand the entire thing WITH THE GRAIN with 60 grit, paying special attention to imperfections and rough edges (note: don't sand any cool patterns out - don't touch those with the 60)
Move up to the 100 and lightly sand everything. If the cool pattern you may have on a stick is very light, leave it alone with the 100 as well. 100 works well for sanding bark down to make it finish-able.
Now, sand everything lightly with the 220, including any cool patterns or irregularities (go lightly and carefully). Feel for any rough areas and sand those with 100, then 220.
If you bought the turpentine, put a SMALL amount on a rag and wipe the stick down then wipe it down with the dry part of the rag (helps remove wood dust)
Now, put either a thin coat of tung oil or stain on using a foam brush. With stain be sure to go fast and keep it even. The stain will be functionally dry in 30 minutes or so. If you want it darker, or to mix hues, rub the stick (with the grain) with 0000 steel wool and restain, wait 30 minutes.
If you did tung oil, just keep reapplying it one time per day until you're satisfied. Do not put poly or stain on the tung oil.
Now put a thin coat of polyurethane on, spreading it evenly. This should only take a minute or so, don't brush excessively. Make sure to cover everything.
Let the poly dry overnight. If it's still slightly sticky that's OK. Rub it with the steel wool, put another coat on, let it dry until non sticky. Now put your rubber cap on and if you want, add a handle, knob, or paracord wrap.
(
http://www.themartialist.com/pecom/koppowrap.htm - I use this wrapping method. It requires about 12 feet of 550 paracord and you must wrap TIGHTLY. I also keep the lanyard loop fairly big)
For $47, if you didn't have any of this stuff around to begin with which most people do, you can make an unlimited number of staffs and sticks and experiment to find what works best for you!