Thread: Walking Poles

Never had a manuka pole let go or fold up on me and they cost almost nothing apart from a bit of time and your chosen oil....just saying

Originally Posted by Phil_H

Where did you sourde yours from @dannyb?

Cheers
Phil

One came from Lake Sumner, the other Kikorangi, just gotta find a stand of reasonably straight Manuka and cut one down then let it dry out before a quick sanding and oil.

@BRADS What's wrong with them?

Originally Posted by dannyb

Never had a manuka pole let go or fold up on me and they cost almost nothing apart from a bit of time and your chosen oil....just saying

Just so everyone knows, Danny uses Baby Oil

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@BRADS What's wrong with them?

I went through about 4 pairs before I gave up on them, some just fell apart others bent really easily
I never got more than a trip from a pair, I learnt like binos and scopes you get what you pay for with poles, brought a Leki had it for 3 or 4 years now can beat possums with it hook it in tree roots and its still as good as new.
Others may of had better luck but thats my experience, for the record most my gear is macpac I just wouldn't waste any more money on those poles.

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Never had a manuka pole let go or fold up on me and they cost almost nothing apart from a bit of time and your chosen oil....just saying

How do you fold it up to put in your pack when not needed ?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

How do you fold it up to put in your pack when not needed ?

With a silky saw, but only once, doubles as emergency firewood though


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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

How do you fold it up to put in your pack when not needed ?

Bit of bungy chord and it slings quite comfortably, really no sweat and I find I'm almost always using it so rarely slung anyway

Originally Posted by BRADS

I went through about 4 pairs before I gave up on them, some just fell apart others bent really easily
I never got more than a trip from a pair, I learnt like binos and scopes you get what you pay for with poles, brought a Leki had it for 3 or 4 years now can beat possums with it hook it in tree roots and its still as good as new.
Others may of had better luck but thats my experience, for the record most my gear is macpac I just wouldn't waste any more money on those poles.

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Only a cocky would fuck 4 pairs (8poles) before trying something else

Im taking the piss of course brads and I haven't even used mine yet.

I bought mine with the intention of useing them only to steady myself while I regain use of my leg and rebuild strenght in it.

Having never used the pussy sticks before I imagined them only being used as a steadying stick for the frail on uneven terrain and as such not subjected to any real load.?

Originally Posted by Phil_H

Well I was at Bunnings today....gave MacPac a miss.

Was interested in looking at what they had for poles and came across a floor Squegee....something that I would use for the garage floor...with the new Oates DuraTuff Handle.
What's that you ask? It is made of a compressed bamboo. It is up there in strength wise with Rosewood I am led to believe. They unfortunately didn't have the handles on their own in stock so I was forced to fork out $25 for the whole squeegee, which isn't a problem as I will use it.

The handle itself is 135cm long. Like the ideal sized mustering stick it comes just up to my nipple when standing - I'm 6'1" - and feels very solid. Weighs in at 507gms so heavier than a walking pole but would be interested in how that compares with a manuka stick.

Here is a link to the product.....or a bit about what it is made from

http://www.oates.com.au/documents/duratuff_brochure.pdf

Whilst looking for the above I see there are various outlets....including Bunnings....who sell the handles separately from $6 to $10

Anyway, I am not entirely sold on the idea of a stick though have been using the two tomato stakes I often take with me as a shooting bipod and crossing rough stuff they do come into good use.

So, now with a cheap option to play with I shall experiment more. Thank God the stick comes lacquered otherwise I would have had to go to @dannyb for some of his baby oil and I just not sure what I might have been asked for in return...

Cheers
Phil

Yuk your durastuff has no soul.....

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Only a cocky would fuck 4 pairs (8poles) before trying something else

Im taking the piss of course brads and I haven't even used mine yet.

I bought mine with the intention of useing them only to steady myself while I regain use of my leg and rebuild strenght in it.

Having never used the pussy sticks before I imagined them only being used as a steadying stick for the frail on uneven terrain and as such not subjected to any real load.?

To be fair was only 4 poles Cam I've only just started using 2
With a fucked knee going down hill one pole gets really loaded up on that side, in some situations if it folded up or gave way it would get interesting
But hey you could die sitting on the couch

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Originally Posted by Phil_H

Yeah....but if it works....and it is a cheap way of finding out....relatively speaking anyway.

Cheers
Phil

Manuka poles are free....what's cheaper than that ? Yuk broom stick

Retired ski poles from recycle centres, Downside is they are one piece and can bend if they take a solid hit, upside they are cheap and can handle a good load, offer bit of hand protection too , A larger mate of mine uses them every tramp as walking poles cannot support his weight.

Manuka poles etc are great, but cannot be loaded in the same way as a good purpose built pole with a hand strap, unless you have forearms like popeye. The hand straps are essential and you can fully load the pole without gripping the handle hard if you put the straps on properly, see the picture below.

The other issue is the amount of grip, good walking poles have a tungsten tip on them which grips on angled rocks, a manuka pole would not provide nearly the same amount of stability in the rocky areas.

Originally Posted by Savage1

Manuka poles etc are great, but cannot be loaded in the same way as a good purpose built pole with a hand strap, unless you have forearms like popeye. The hand straps are essential and you can fully load the pole without gripping the handle hard if you put the straps on properly, see the picture below.

The other issue is the amount of grip, good walking poles have a tungsten tip on them which grips on angled rocks, a manuka pole would not provide nearly the same amount of stability in the rocky areas.

Attachment 163078

Yup do it all the time, mine has a rubber foot on the bottom that is ideal for most terrains and super grippy but also cam be easily removed if a harder tip is required.

I'm not saying they are the be all end all but they are definitely more useful than most give them credit for.