How to Season a Hiking Staff

Hiking staffs are useful while you are out on the trails. They can help you keep your balance, allow you to maneuver over obstacles, and steady you in streams or rivers. They can help to take a load off your knees, as well as act as a makeshift tent pole or self-defense tool. You can purchase these at some local stores or outdoor sports stores. As a cheaper alternative, you can make your own. Cutting, sanding, and sealing it will provide a seasoned hiking staff you can be proud of.

Things You'll Need

  • Handsaw
  • Utility knife or sharp knife
  • Small copper ferrule, nail or empty shotgun shell
  • Epoxy glue, if needed
  • Hammer, if needed
  • Sandpaper
  • Foam brushes
  • Wood stain
  • Polyurethane
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a handsaw to cut a straight piece of wood that is 1½ inches in diameter and 5 feet 6 inches long. The best wood for this will be oak, ash, hickory, ironwood, sugar maple, elm, yellow birch or wild cherry. Place it is a warm, dry area and allow it to dry for three or four weeks.

    • 2

      Use a utility knife or other sharp knife to remove all the bark from the wood. Always cut away from your body.

    • 3

      Whittle the end down small enough to place a small copper ferrule over the end and glue it into place with epoxy glue. You can also just hammer in a nail at the end of the hiking stick or slide an empty shotgun shell over it. Whichever method you use, it is to protect the bottom end of your hiking stick from splintering and splitting during use.

    • 4

      Sand the surface of your hiking staff with sandpaper or a sanding machine. Use a coarse grit at first and progress down to a finer grit. Your wood should feel soft to the touch when you are done sanding it down.

    • 5

      Use a foam brush to apply a layer of wood stain to the wood. After 15 minutes, grab a paper towel and wipe the surface of the wood with it. Repeat this step until the wood is a shade that you like.

    • 6

      Brush on a layer of polyurethane. Allow this to dry for at least a couple of hours.

    • 7

      Take a fine grit sandpaper and rub it lightly over the wood. This will give the staff a better surface for your next layer of polyurethane to stick to. Repeat the polyurethane application, drying and sanding until you have applied at least three layers. Do not sand the wood after your last coat.

    • 8

      See Resources below if you want to add extra accessories and first aid supplies to your hiking stick.