Chapter 7: Walking Stick Woods

Many walking stick users favor the classic elegance of wood, and a wide variety of woods are available to choose from. It is important to consider the intended use or uses of the walking stick when selecting a particular wood variety, as walking sticks constructed of different types of wood will vary considerably in density, weight, strength and cost.

One popular type of wood for casual or light use is bamboo. The hallmark knotty structure of bamboo is clearly visible in walking sticks generated of this material, and many users find a bamboo walking stick visually appealing as well as uniquely functional. Bamboo walking sticks are extremely lightweight; they are among the lightest walking sticks constructed of natural materials. However, the hollowness and porosity that lends such light weight to the reedy bamboo also makes it more fragile than other types of denser, harder wood. For this reason, a user who places a heavy physical demand upon his or her walking stick might find a heavier wood to be more durable over time.

Among the more popular woods for general use are ash, acacia, cherry and chestnut. Walking sticks constructed of these materials can be found in a variety of models and with different oil or lacquer finishes. Both the type of wood and the finish will influence its ultimate color, grain variation and luster.

Additionally, features within the wood itself can fluctuate considerably even in a single piece of wood. Alterations in wood grain variation, such as the “birds eye” sometimes found in maple, can add a great deal of visual interest to any object constructed of this wood. As a result, walking sticks offering unique or desirable wood features can be more expensive than counterparts generated of the same wood.

Perhaps the most expensive wooden walking sticks, popular among collectors, are those generated from exotic hardwoods. Canes can be purchased in ebony, beech wood, rosewood, purple heart wood, bubinga wood and others. Moreover, walking sticks can be purchased or even custom ordered to contain different patterned combinations of different types of woods. Frequently, woods that are lighter in color are juxtaposed with dramatically darker woods; different shades of redness or brownness contrast nicely with paler woods.

In addition to combining different types of woods within a single walking stick, designers of different models also combine woods with other types of materials. Perhaps the most common combination is that of a metal handle that attaches to a wooden walking stick. These can often be removable, and the handle can screw on or off of the shaft. This enables the handle to be swapped out with other handles, a feature that permits the user to mix and match walking sticks for variety in accessorizing.

Some of the more exotic hardwoods such as purple heart are extremely dense. This makes the wood both very strong and also heavier than more porous woods. Thus, these types of canes can be expected to be more durable than those constructed of lighter woods; however, they can also be more difficult to use because of the increase in weight.