HOW TO BUY AND USE A WALKING STICK

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Southwest wood crafts products....from Yaxley

WE TRANSFORM WOOD INTO ART

USING AND BUYING A WALKING STICK

A quality made elegant walking stick actually becomes a therapeutic comforting companion and the use is only limited by the man, woman's, or child's imagination. I started using one, decades ago after developing a back injury, and after the recovery I continued to use it. It became indispensable. It actually becomes an extension of the person and develops into a true friend over time, whether you are strolling in a town or hiking in remote areas. The sticks have many, many uses. They can be used as a support while walking on uneven ground, loose gravel, hills, ice, snow, and sand. They can be used to fetch things overhead, move objects on the ground, move brush out of the way, poke around in the brush without being bitten, etc. They also can be used as a handy weapon for protection from dogs and other animals. When you use one, you will find it is a utilitarian companion, conversation piece and useful for just about any activity you are engaged in. Rock hunting, hunting, fishing, walking, shopping, hiking, camping, bird watching, photography, genealogy field work, cemetery research, shell collecting, metal detecting treasure searches, dog training, to just name a few. They take stress off the back, hips, knees, and ankles. Many people have several walking sticks, in different styles, for specific uses. They make very good gifts that can provide a lifetime of pleasant use and become a family heirloom.

The size of the walking stick needed depends on several factors including, who will be using it, the person's height, the activity, and the environment.
If a stronger person will be using it, then a heavier walking stick can be carried. Generally a walking stick should be at least 1/2 the height of the user. Walking sticks used mostly outdoors should have a handle for comfort and use as a "snatching" device for items above. It should be about shoulder high for help in going up and down hills. If used in a sandy, or soft dirt environment then the type with 2 feet will provide more stability. If primarily used indoors then a single walking stick with a rubber tip will provide a more secure walking aid. The rubber tips can be purchased from us and we have a good selection.

Mesquite is a hardy attractive wood but does contain a lot of twists and branches. A perfectly straight walking stick is the exception and part of the mesquite's beauty is in the twisted, bent, and knotty appearance. The Yucca and Sotol are very straight, light weight, and strong. All take a nice woodburning for names, dates, or initials.

Workmanship

The sticks are hand selected for the best walking stick characteristics, such as straightness, appearance, length, etc. The Yucca and Mesquite walking sticks are hand worked and finished, with the same processes. First is a sanding with 100 grit sandpaper. Next is 220, then 320, then 400, then 600, and the final sanding is done with 1500 grit super fine sandpaper. Next is the woodburning of the images. After the woodburning an application of tung oil is liberally put onto the sticks. The next day it is sanded again and another coat of tung oil is applied. Same thing for the third day. Then a coat of wax is applied using our unique "desert sun" process. It is then buffed to a polished sheen for durability. The next day the leather grips are wound and applied wet to the top of the stick. It dries for a day and then the stick is ready for shipment.

If you're interested in one of these fine handcrafted walking sticks, just email me and we can discuss the details and answer any questions you might have. I have found that a few emails can get a walking stick exactly per your requirements. So think about your questions and

I'm eager to discuss you needs and, unlike most walking sticks, mine are of high quality and a great value. They are great items to be cherished and to be passed down as meaningful heirlooms.

Kokopelli

Kokopelli is the Native American legendary whimsical humped back flute player who traveled the southwest over a 1,000 years ago (some estimates are about 3,000 years ago). He is depicted in petroglyphs, religions, rituals, folk tales, ceramics, and murals of the Southwestern Indians. There is evidence he was an important deity to the Southwestern Indians and may have been as important to them as Abraham is to Jews, or Paul to the Christians.

Some legends report Kokopelli as as a symbol of happiness and joy, traveling from village to village playing his flute. He was also thought to be a prankster and a fertility god who would play his flute, play pranks, and when he left in the morning all the women were pregnant and the crops were plentiful.

The word Kokopelli comes from 2 Hopi words, koko for wood and pilau for hump.