"SAFETY" WALKING STICK

This is a great walking stick, especially for an old geezer like me, or for anyone who does their walking at night or on icy surfaces. It incorporates a strobe light to illuminate your way and its sharp point is equally effective on snow, ice, or gravel. It has a length of paracord, not just for looks but for those many times when you are out walking that you need to tie something together. Also, instead of spending money, you can make it for free, or at very low cost, which is a good factor, especially if you check out the cost of hand made wooden walking sticks.

You will need an old ski pole. If you live in the North, these can be had for free as they are frequently discarded. Remember, these come in left and right. Use the correct one for your dominant hand. You should cut a stick from a tree, preferably hardwood, to whatever length you would like. Use a knife to scrape the bark from the stick and let it season in a dry place. I let mine dry for a year in my garage. Epoxy glue is a necessity. You'll need sandpaper, stain and varnish. You'll also need some paracord and a bicycle strobe light, although these are optional.

Use a fine tooth saw to cut the ends of the stick. Try to get them as flat as possible. Sand it until smooth. Use a hack saw to cut the handle and tip from the aluminum pole. Leave about 1.5 inches of aluminum to stick out from the handle and tip. Stain and varnish the stick. I used dark walnut stain and 2 coats of water based polyurethane varnish.

Measure the diameter of the pole at the handle and tip. Find a spade bit to match each. Drill out the centre of the stick at the thicker top part with the larger drill bit and at the narrower bottom part with the smaller bit. Go deep enough so the aluminum pole pieces can be totally inserted. Mix the epoxy and apply it to the aluminum pole stubs, then insert them in the holes. Wipe off any excess. You can stop here but if you want to increase the Geek factor, do the following: Tie and wind the paracord around the stick at the handle end. I used about 10 feet. The strobe light just attaches below the handle.