Single stalking sticks

[Klenchblaize]

As per the title a thread to display and/or discus the delights, pitfalls or allied verbiage applicable to SINGLE stalking sticks that you have acquired or made.

I’ll kick things off with one example I made some years ago as an experiment. The idea being the threaded 8mm rope would act as strategically placed points of improved grip c/o sliding one or two fingers through or around the loops. It worked very well until one day I applied far, far too much side pressure when negotiating a ravine and it snapped but then as an aid to steadying a shot a single stick will, for me at least, always remain secondary to a tool that assists in covering ground safely and silently. The former consideration being significantly improved when descending steep banks etc.

Cheers

K

 

[Spix]

As per the title a thread to display and/or discus the delights, pitfalls or allied verbiage applicable to SINGLE stalking sticks that you have acquired or made.

I’ll kick things off with one example I made some years ago as an experiment. The idea being the threaded 8mm rope would act as strategically placed points of improved grip c/o sliding one or two fingers through or around the loops. It worked very well until one day I applied far, far too much side pressure when negotiating a ravine and it snapped but then as an aid to steadying a shot a single stick will, for me at least, always remain secondary to a tool that assists in covering ground safely and silently. The former consideration being significantly improved when descending steep banks etc.

Cheers

K

I like the fittings on this ; so this attractive stick is one of your peeled and tie-dyed holly shanks ? S

 

[Brithunter]

I use a hazel stick I made up years back. A couple of years ago I cut the natural "Y" from the top and replaced it was a small Roe antler. The base h a 6" length of Black duralon plastic fitted to it to stop the bottom getting wet and rotting over time.

 

[Spix]

The base h a 6" length of Black duralon plastic fitted to it to stop the bottom getting wet and rotting over time.

Good idea using a synthetic, I usually use a stainless alpine spike on mine but it's a dead giveaway if you ding it on something ! S

 

[Klenchblaize]

I like the fittings on this ; so this attractive stick is one of your peeled and tie-dyed holly shanks ? S

No. This was peeled ash with a few dyes splashed about and a handsewn leather wrap at the point of balance.

K

 

[Spix]

No. This was peeled ash with a few dyes splashed about and a handsewn leather wrap at the point of balance.

K

A handsome stick, yet unusual for ash to snap, it is usually so strong. It's so easy to work from green, I just use a mandolin vegetable peeler ; shank cut way overlength to avoid any split on a working end (just for the benefit of others, you know this anyway), perhaps worth trying with a big thick one.

I must try that camo look sometime ! S

 

[Klenchblaize]

Should you need a reminder of how truly mad I am, K still harbors a plan relative to this experiment that is to pre-drill the rope holes in a living and suitably undersized shank and then plug with ss inserts and leave to both ‘heal’ and mature for two years before harvesting!

If the ash doesn’t succumb at the brutal treatment stage it should reduce the tendency to snap at the weakened points. Not by much but every little helps!

K

 

[Klenchblaize]

I genuinely didn’t want this thread to be seen as (or turn into) a “Look at K’s Single Stalking Sticks” but rather enjoy ogling what the site membership use and indeed think of their use in 21[SUP]st[/SUP] Century woodland stalking. So, by way of bump only here’s one more and with the hope that the dearth of postings isn’t an indication that the single stick has gone the way of loden capes:

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K

 

[willie_gunn]

I genuinely didn’t want this thread to be seen as (or turn into) a “Look at K’s Single Stalking Sticks” but rather enjoy ogling what the site membership use and indeed think of their use in 21[SUP]st[/SUP] Century woodland stalking. So, by way of bump only here’s one more and with the hope that the dearth of postings isn’t an indication that the single stick has gone the way of loden capes:

---------------------

K

K

I can't speak for single sticks, but I do have a loden cape. Having used one in Sweden last year I will definitely be taking mine to Croatia. For keeping warm and dry when sitting/standing still there is little to beat it.

​willie_gunn

 

[Klenchblaize]

K

I can't speak for single sticks, but I do have a loden cape. Having used one in Sweden last year I will definitely be taking mine to Croatia. For keeping warm and dry when sitting/standing still there is little to beat it.

​willie_gunn

You old reactionary Mr. Gunn!

A picture of an alternative approach to single stick deployment:

K

 

[Brithunter]

I had forgotten that I also made this hazel stick up years ago so actually have two:-



One with the natural "Y" at the top and one with a Roe antler.







Pared the top down with a sharp chisel to suit the hole that was drilled into the antler and secured it with araldite.



Bottoms got different treatment as well one has a rubber walkign stick bottom whilst the other has the plastic mentioned which is glued and pinned with brass pins in place.

 

[SC243]

I had been using double sticks for some time, but have now gone back to a single stick. Far easier to carry and use and provides adequate support for taking a shot. I've been through several sets of doubles, they all fail/stick and break after a while. (These are the hight adjustable metal ones)

I think I'll be using the single stick for the foreseeable...

 

[Klenchblaize]

I had forgotten that I also made this hazel stick up years ago so actually have two:-



One with the natural "Y" at the top and one with a Roe antler.







Pared the top down with a sharp chisel to suit the hole that was drilled into the antler and secured it with araldite.



Bottoms got different treatment as well one has a rubber walkign stick bottom whilst the other has the plastic mentioned which is glued and pinned with brass pins in place.

Nice.

You really can't beat hazel as a timber to turn into a usable stick within minutes of finding in the hedge. With a sharp knife the way it so easily yields to the blade is a very pleasurable thing.

K

 

[Klenchblaize]

I had been using double sticks for some time, but have now gone back to a single stick. Far easier to carry and use and provides adequate support for taking a shot. I've been through several sets of doubles, they all fail/stick and break after a while. (These are the hight adjustable metal ones)

I think I'll be using the single stick for the foreseeable...

+1. I carry a pair of very light twin fixed sticks for sitting shots.
K

 

[Brithunter]

I dried my sticks for about two years before using them to make the sticks pictured. They are light yet seem strong. Had one with me when I stalked with John in Yorkshire the other year. He lifted it out of the truck and commented just how light it was.

Also have a Hazel walking stick with Antler handle I made up for Mother. The antler which had black trims was traded with a chap in Scotland for a Lee C press that I was snot using and a set of 22/250 dies to get his started on reloading. Will have to get a photo of that one soon.

 

[ion]

I took out a German guest for a friend some years ago, who showed me how he used a single stick. It involved turning slightly sideways on, placing the butt of the stick against the instep of the back foot and leaning the stick across the thigh of the forward leg. It definitely reduced movement of the rifle, but the down side is that the stick needs to be at least the height of the user to be long enough when used on the angle. I have tried commercial and bean pole sticks and prefer wood as it supports my 16 stone in a more predictable manner !
Ion

 

[sterling stalker]

ive only ever used single sticks ive had too many deer spooked by the noisy and lenthy deployment of multi legged sticks by clients. i mostly use plain and simple hazle sticks

 

[BunnyDoom]

I've a great pair of split sticks from monarch - looks like a single stick (which is how it's used most of the time) but is actually twin sticks that split silently as are held together by magnets.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I've a great pair of split sticks from monarch - looks like a single stick (which is how it's used most of the time) but is actually twin sticks that split silently as are held together by magnets.

I considred one of Truls Wiberg's sticks in ash with camo finish but back in 2008 is was around £180 with shipping.

K

 

[bewsher500]

nice
how do you use the loops and grip?

I have used single sticks and do like the instant deployment, especially when used under pressure or tension in fence posts, trees, rocks etc
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