The Kingfisher Enhanced Hiking Stick includes an installed carbide tip and is available in 2 diameters and custom lengths for walking, hiking, trekking, backpacking and trail running. It's also the best choice for urban corridors, dog walker areas and places requiring security. Made of Appalachian hickory, arguably the world's strongest wood.
The Straight Stick:
Along with wood choice, which in this case is phenomenally strong and beautiful Appalachian Hickory, the other critical aspect of a hiking stick is its shape: a straight staff gives the user the most flexibility in choosing hand position for optimal working length. When climbing uphill or downhill, it can be grasped higher or lower for best reach and balance. There is no left or right hand bias; the hiker can quickly shift between hands. Although branches and irregularly shaped sticks provide a whimsical appearance, they also restrict the hiker's hand placement and limit the adjustments possible with a straight uniform staff.
Recommended length: see this link hiking stick sizes.
Two diameters are available. The original 15/16" diameter is intended to be light and fast - it has a more slender feel. The 1" diameter option is thicker and has a medium girth for those preferring a slightly thicker feel.
Many of Kingfisher's staff designs are based on the Japanese Jo, a historical 17th century wooden staff that became embedded in history as the unlikely weapon used in a legendary duel with Japan's most celebrated swordsman. For a fascinating account - see this link: The Wooden Staff of Japan
Hi Brad I received the bokken and OH MY GOD, it is beautiful I almost don't want to use it, it looks so good. The jo and tanto are awesome too. One question on the bamboo tsuba, when I try to fit it, it got to 3/4 of the length of where it's supposed to be at the beginning of the tsuka. I didn't want to jam it in there forcefully, so is there a proper technique to install the tsuba? I'm assuming that I put an o-ring on each side of the tsuba. Makers response-Thanks so much! Tsuba are custom fit to individual bokken. They are intended to be a little snug at first however, they will seat into the transition ramp after a bit of use.
Hello, I'm mailing you to let you know i received the 42" aikiken i ordered near the beginning of the month. it is of the best quality i've ever seen. awesome, awesome sword, thank you! the grain on the chisel top is wild, changing color from light to dark with movement and the patterns within the wood make me feel like i'm handling a much more expensive piece of art. i hope to take care of it well enough to hand it down to my children! i can't wait to order another one of your wooden weapons. hopefully soon! - Andrew