I've been making hiking staffs for a while now, and even have sold some at craft shows. Carl's third leg hiking sticks. Anyways, I'd read someplace a long while back, that the old 'rod' like in "Thy rod and thy staff will comfort me" was actually a short staff that was only as high as your lower most rib. Apparently some people even in biblical times just preferred a shorter staff. I remember from my time in the service when stationed in the Mideast, most Arab men in the market place carried a short staff like stick.
To the point; I have found that when selling my sticks, and given the choice, most people seem to like it a bit shorter. They look at several sticks, and after a short discussion, they have me cut off the stick in question at their lower rib.
While I never leave the house without my walking stick, normal inside the wrist height, I have found that the shorter rib high staff is handier in the woods while hiking. I've had a few longer staffs, but have cut them all down to the lower most rib height. Works our handy in the woods, and not too outlandish for suburban parks.
Anyone else prefer a shorter hiking staff than normal?
To the point; I have found that when selling my sticks, and given the choice, most people seem to like it a bit shorter. They look at several sticks, and after a short discussion, they have me cut off the stick in question at their lower rib.
While I never leave the house without my walking stick, normal inside the wrist height, I have found that the shorter rib high staff is handier in the woods while hiking. I've had a few longer staffs, but have cut them all down to the lower most rib height. Works our handy in the woods, and not too outlandish for suburban parks.
Anyone else prefer a shorter hiking staff than normal?