HOW TO CHOOSE THE MATERIAL OF A WALKING STICK?

The selection of the material from which your walking stick is made must be done carefully. For the walking stick to give you all its benefits, it must be suitable for your type of walking as well as for your body type. Progression on soft or hard surfaces requires specific walking sticks with specifically adapted materials. Depending on your size, shape and age, you will also need to choose the material that will give you the best walking comfort. The type of walking you do, whether it be for sport, hiking, trekking or simple walking, is also a determining factor in the choice of your walking stick. Finally, you should not overlook individual tastes. Some people prefer lightweight materials, while others prefer denser woods.

WHICH WALKING STICK MATERIAL TO CHOOSE?

A wide range of materials are used to make walking sticks. As a rule, two of these materials are recommended, especially for sport walking. These are aluminium, and wood. Their selection can be based on their technical capacity, environmental friendliness, weight and many other objective or subjective criteria.

Aluminium walking sticks have been in use for several decades now. Although their value is well established, they are of course less environmentally friendly than wooden sticks. However, aluminium sticks do provide a solid support. They make walking easy and significantly reduce the risk of accidents. They are also exceptionally light and can be used on all types of terrain. Finally, wooden walking sticks still have their convinced and exclusive users. They are the very symbol of naturalness and authenticity and will appeal to those who are committed to sustainable development. Many types of wood are used to create walking sticks.

What is the strongest wood for a walking stick?

The strongest species for making walking sticks are hardwoods. Wood can be sawn to fit the desired length for the user. Indeed, the multiplication of branches and the density of the foliage makes the wood knottier and tends to solidify the fibres. Once dry, the fibres are particularly resilient and strong.

Rather than one wood being the strongest to create a walking stick, we should be talking about the strongest wood depending on its origin. Beech, in our latitudes, is probably the most used wood for walking sticks.

Hazel is also a popular choice for walkers who are looking for a strong, lightweight wood with an interesting sheen.Some people prefer oak, which is also used to make tool handles. It has a reputation for strength and durability. It is well suited to tall or overweight people. It is, however, quite hard to work with. Chestnut is sturdy and the perfect choice for a lighter-weight stick as it is less dense than other woods due to its fast-growing nature.

Blackthorn, due to its slow growth, is strong and dense, but rather easy to work with, which makes it extremely popular with carvers and manufacturers. Finally, ironwood & ebony, typically sourced from tropical countries, are particularly dense and strong. These can be used to make the strongest walking sticks. Unfortunately, they can also be difficult to work with, so it is not uncommon for carvers to break a few tools when working with them.

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WHAT WOOD FOR WALKING STICKS?

In addition to the species we have already mentioned, we can cite others whose characteristics lend themselves well to the manufacture of walking sticks.

Hazel, as mentioned earlier, has several qualities. It is found everywhere and grows back very quickly. It is a very workable wood and has the benefit of not splitting when drying. Its fibre is exceptionally fine, and it is therefore possible to make very fine sculptures from it. It is used to create exceptionally reliable sticks because they are strong.

Rosewood is a fine-grained tropical timber found in many hues, the most-known being brownish with darker veining. The name rosewood comes from the sweet smell of the freshly cut wood that lasts for years. This type of wood is strong and heavy and aesthetically beautiful.

Finally, Bamboo has always been used to make walking sticks that are both lightweight and strong. It is also an easy wood to source sustainably. The bamboo is cut when it is green to prevent it from splintering. Unfortunately, its thinness, and hollow nature, prevents it from being carved. However, you can find beech and chestnut sticks that have been carved to resemble bamboo.

Sassafras is also very hardy and naturally insulates against moisture. It allows a wide expression of modern, contemporary, and traditional design.

Chestnut is a strong, light-weight, resistant and durable wood. Very versatile, chestnut is used in a variety of sticks and give them an authentic look. If you want an elegant stick, this wood will undoubtedly give you all the modernity you need because it can easily be crafted to stunning effect.

Maple is a precious wood that is exceedingly popular today because of its exceptional properties. It has a high impact resistance. Its mechanical quality makes it the ideal material for making a good walking stick. It produces an aesthetic result in all the designs it is used for. Its structure has beautiful colours. These range from off-white to red or reddish brown.

WHAT STYLE Of WALKING STICK ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

The material of the walking stick is going to have an impact on the look of it. We stock a wide variety of walking sticks made of aluminium and wood so you can choose the design that will suit you best.

A walking stick made in aluminium allows more room for colourful patterns and original designs. To make a bold fashion and express your personality, our collection includes a range of floral patterns, and unconventional designs: from a snow leopard print to a black and white marbled walking stick. Aluminium is thus the perfect material for an unusual walking stick that will complement your outfit.

For an authentic look, the wood of the walking stick can simply be polished and stained to enhance the grain of the wood. Rosewood, chestnut, beech and hazel woods are naturally beautiful and make elegant rustic walking sticks. By embracing the raw aspect of the wood, each walking stick is unique as they cannot be standardised. For a sophisticated look, the wood of the walking stick can be painted in a broad variety of colour: black, dark blue and more.

Several types of material can also be combined to create a modern design and ensuring a greater comfort and safety. A chrome, acrylic and silver-plated handle can be mounted on a natural, rustic hardwood. On the other hand, a colourful, trendy patterned shaft can be paired with a wooden handle for more comfort.

Discover our full range of Collector Canes, our Luxury Dress Canes, our selection of Adjustable Sticks and our Folding Walking Sticks.