High tech walking stick

I'll suggest carbon fibre.

Don't know where you're from, but you may be able to find a cheap second-hand fishing rod (beach caster or roach pole) that you could experiment with. The largest diameter section of either is about "walking stick diameter". Another source is rod blanks (for DIYers). You should find suppliers of these doing mail order in angling magazines - or maybe on the web. Good luck.

John

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll see what I can come up with.

Bamboo? You don't need a heavy weight for a walking stick... after lugging it around, I'd toss it out if it weighed too much.

Carbon-fibre (graphite) certainly has the hi-tech, low mass/high-strength qualities you desire, but it may be fragile as a walking stick. If impacted - such as when traversing a boulder-field or stream, it will delaminate at the area of impact and rapidly lose integrity.

You might be better-off with a heavier metal pole which will better repel such attacks. Aluminium is the easy solution, but Titanium would be good although more expensive and harder to source; it will be naturally corrosion resistant, and can be treated to produce a myriad of colourful surface effects if that is your wish (interesting marketing options!). Do a google search for tubular suppliers in your region.

What about carbon fiber with an impact absorbing coating? Is was thinking about using something like a spray in bed liner for a pickup truck. Any better ideas? Your feedback is appreciated.

Second Hand-

In addition to using graphite golf club shafts (see comment # 9) I have used ski poles purchased from the thrift shop for $1- $2 each. If a handle is needed, I have used bicycle handlebar grips purchased when on sale at a bike shop for about $5.

Bill Morrow

I have used the spray on truck bed liner for my projects in the past , I like the fact that it is not as affected by weather change . also I would like to suggest Airline grade Aluminum tubing coated to protect the hands and have a better grip !

quintero-63@hotmail.com

Good luck!!

bamboo does still sound good and it wouldnt attract lightning quite as easily as some other materials.

Maybe try a bagpack ..!?

you're missing the point. What if you're only out for a day hike and didn't think to bring your backpack. You break your leg and forgot to tell anyone where you were going. Thank god you have your walking stick that you always take hiking, which has supplies to start a fire, and treat your leg well enough to hold you over till someone happens to find you.

If you have the conditions described, your walking stick needs a GPS and cell/satellite phone capability.

I didn't describe all the features

I would check this out, for inspiration:

http://www.pilagroup.com/Text/1195289578234-7972/Flagpoles

My guess is an aluminum tube with some fiber glass coating would be a good choice for your project. It should be light, non-brittle and conductive like carbon, and corrosion free. You also might need to machine some thread or precision diameter.

For fiber glass supply you can take a look at this:

http://buy.ecplaza.net/search/1s1nf20sell/fibreglass.html

where you can notice that hammer with fiber glass semi-plastic coating handle (another food for thought).

I wish you good luck with your project.

Second Hand-

I have gone to a golf shop where people have the shaft of their clubs upgraded and purchased used graphite shafts for $3. They are super light, stong, hollow, and make great walking sticks.

Bill Morrow

How about a piece of schedule 80 PVC plus some imaganation

Collapsible?

From personal experience I know that large walking sticks tend to be left behind on ad hoc hikes, hence the popularity of the new "trekking polls"

For personal reasons I have been trying to design a long, strong, and collapsible walking staff.

Extended length: 6 feet
Collapsed length: 2.5 feet
Strength: Enough to allow a very heavy man to vault over a very small stream.

I've not been able to find the necessary nested aluminum tubing or other material that would suffice my needs.

Thanks for any help

what a GREAT idea!! i'll buy one when you've made it! good luck! :)