Adventure Gadget - Cold Steel City Stick

Photo from coldsteel.com

I'm a big fan of walking sticks. They make walking a pleasure, provide a little extra stability on rough terrain, and in a scrape, they make a handy defensive weapon. In Oregon one has a variety of options. Automatic knives are legal here. It's relatively easy to obtain a handgun and a concealed carry permit. But for the intrepid adventurer, guns and knives can be impractical or even put the user at risk of incarceration. There is no country in the world, however, that bans the use of a good walking stick. There are many to choose from. Irish blackthorn and Rock Maple are good choices for defensive sticks, but for my money, nothing beats fiberglass. It is heavy enough to do the job, yet light enough to use every day. It flexes with every impact, and won't break like wood. It is weather resistant and durable. Cold Steel makes a great version called the City Stick which comes with your choice of stainless steel heads. I like the cast skull head myself. Now this won't replace your hiking poles, but for around town it's about perfect.