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| stic:sticks [2025/12/05 18:51] – [What are sticks and crooks?] Simon Grant | stic:sticks [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| # Sticks & crooks | This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. |
| | ====== Sticks & crooks ====== |
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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](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. | 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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| <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> |
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| | ===== What are the benefits of sticks and crooks? ===== |
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| ## What are the benefits of sticks and crooks? | - 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 |
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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 | |
| - 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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| ## What can I do? | ===== What can I do? ===== |
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| You can buy a stick from a stickmaker (or stick dresser), or you can make your own - in which case a course might be a good idea, and there are several good books (see resources for all the above). A well-made stick can last several generations. The most common wood for sticks is probably hazel, due to its durability and flexibility. Willow, pear, crab apple and blackthorn are used too, but you can make a stick from any species. | You can buy a stick from a stickmaker (or stick dresser), or you can make your own - in which case a course might be a good idea, and there are several good books (see resources for all the above). A well-made stick can last several generations. The most common wood for sticks is probably hazel, due to its durability and flexibility. Willow, pear, crab apple and blackthorn are used too, but you can make a stick from any species. |
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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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| ## Further resources | ===== Forum ===== |
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| | This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts). |
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| | ===== Further resources ===== |
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| | - [Forum](https://www.walkingstickforum.com/) |
| | - [British Stickmakers Guild](https://thebsg.org.uk/) |
| | - [Backpacking Mastery](https://backpackingmastery.com/skills/how-to-make-a-walking-stick.html) - step-by-step guide to making a walking-stick |
| | - [Hill Shepherd](https://hillshepherd.blogspot.com/2008/05/making-shepherds-crook.html) - how to make a shepherd's crook |
| | - [Walking Sticks](https://www.walkingsticks.co.uk/blog/how-tall-should-your-walking-stick-be.html) - how tall should your walking stick be? |
| | - [Stickmaking](http://www.pocketfarm.co.uk/stickmaking-getting-a-grip-on-a-tradition/) - getting a grip on this traditional craft |
| | - [Self-defence with a walking stick](https://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0200.htm) great article from 1901 on how to defend yourself with a walking-stick |
| | - [Hand-carved canes](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_r-tRncYqDToRXHVIeHSr4vicDQjzfHS) - video playlist |
| | - [Celtic Stickmakers Club](https://www.celticstickmakers.com/) |
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| | ===== Related topics ===== |
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| | - [[grwo:Green woodworking]] |
| | - [[craf:Craft| Craft production]] |
| | - [[wodl:woodland management|Tree / woodland management]] |
| | - [[walk:Walking|Walking/hiking]] |
| | - [[shep:Sheep]] |
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| ## Specialist(s) | ===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== |
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