It has been a long time since I made a staff but after a run in with a dog while walking with my wife (kicking a dog in the mouth with bare feet makes one think) I decided I would make myself one.

[ Linked Image ]

There are more pictures and the specs. on my website:

WOODHELP STAFF GALLERY PAGE

Let me know what you think.

Ben, this is fantastic, and I'm not usually one to compliment people on their big sticks. The leather really adds something in my opinion and I especially like the way it's tied together. Very well executed on the whole.

I recently had a similar encounter whilst my daughter was in her pram and after scaring it off, all I could think of was what I could use to defend myself and my child in such a situation. In my neighborhood, walking around armed (even in defense against dogs) is... well... frowned upon, quite frankly. I thought about sharpening an umbrella, but that wouldn't work in summer. :D

If I had your skill in carving, I'd make myself one too.

Very nice. I like the color of the wood, the carving, and the leather. I did a lot of hiking in Colorado last summer and I found a stick to be helpful in a number of situations, but I'm not a fan of the high tech sticks you often see on the trails. Your staff would be more at home I think.