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| stic:sticks [2025/12/05 10:42] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | stic:sticks [2025/12/17 04:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| > “The best, the most exquisite automobile is a walking stick; and one of the finest things in life is going on a journey with it” - Robert Coates | > “The best, the most exquisite automobile is a walking stick; and one of the finest things in life is going on a journey with it” - Robert Coates |
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| ## What are sticks and crooks? | ## What are sticks and crooks? |
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| A stick is a walking aid, the effectiveness of which depends on its weight, length and the shape of its handle. A crook is a stick traditionally used by [shepherds](/topics_sheep.html), the handle of which is the right shape to hook a sheep by the neck or back leg. A crook tends to be longer than a stick for this reason. A basic stick might be something you find on a walk in the [woods](/wodl/woodland_management), or can be something designed and crafted much more carefully. | A stick is a walking aid, the effectiveness of which depends on its weight, length and the shape of its handle. A crook is a stick traditionally used by [shepherds](shep:sheep), the handle of which is the right shape to hook a sheep by the neck or back leg. A crook tends to be longer than a stick for this reason. A basic stick might be something you find on a walk in the [woods](/wodl/woodland_management), or can be something designed and crafted much more carefully. |
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| <WRAP center centeralign 100%> | <WRAP center centeralign 100%> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| 'Nose-in' stick | _'Nose-in' stick_ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| 'Nose-out' crook | _'Nose-out' crook_ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
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| ## What are the benefits of sticks and crooks? | ## What are the benefits of sticks and crooks? |
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| - a stick is an invaluable aid for [walking](/walk/walking-hiking). It can be used to pull yourself uphill, and take pressure off knees and hips when coming downhill | - a stick is an invaluable aid for [walking](/walk/walking). It can be used to pull yourself uphill, and take pressure off knees and hips when coming downhill |
| - you don't have to be old to use a stick. It will make life a lot easier for your joints, and you'll be up and down mountains to a ripe old age | - you don't have to be old to use a stick. It will make life a lot easier for your joints, and you'll be up and down mountains to a ripe old age |
| - they can be works of art - and that is generally the aim of professional stickmakers; and no two hand-made sticks are the same | - they can be works of art - and that is generally the aim of professional stickmakers; and no two hand-made sticks are the same |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Various parts of a walking stick / crook. | _Various parts of a walking stick / crook._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Heating a single shank with a hot air gun before straightening. | _Heating a single shank with a hot air gun before straightening._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| A range of different handles - including thumb sticks. | _A range of different handles - including thumb sticks._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Straightening a shank with a stick press. | _Straightening a shank with a stick press._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Ram's horn handle. | _Ram's horn handle._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Making the peg joint at the top of the shank for the handle. | _Making the peg joint at the top of the shank for the handle._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Sticks can be works of art. | _Sticks can be works of art._ |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </figure> | </figure> |
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| ## Specialist(s) | ## Specialist curators of this topic |
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