Woman here, this is my prized stick. I found it maybe 15 years ago I think? I was camping on the Oregon coast, the absolute straightness of it stood out from a mile away. Brought it home, cut the ends off to be flat, and hand-smoothed the handle. For a long time I used it for killing spiders (it was perfect for that they never got away) but it has since retired now that I’m less scared of being poisoned and just catch/release them. One day when I’m decomposing I hope for this to be doing the same by my side.
Hot damn, that’s a fine stick
Ho shit, no lies that stick is dope.
Helluva stick you got there
nice stick
This is the best stick I’ve ever seen.
That’s a good stick
Its a primitive thing, maybe… Like a genetic memory.
A good stick is a bad ass tool when you only have your hands, its free and plentiful, and its no big loss to start over.
You can use a stick to kill or stun animals, dig a trench for waste, with more sticks and some sort of cover you make a shelter, sticks are also fuel for fire, a stick can get you into a sheltered situation, possibly with a warm meal, and its just a bunch of sticks.
Add a pointed rock to the mix? Fuck, now you have one of the most effective weapons in the history of humanity.
A good stick and a good rock is the most primitive tool set we had, and it was available to everyone.
I really need to get back into field craft.
While I don’t disagree with any of that, to play devil’s advocate: the post was referring to men/boys obsessing over sticks more than women/girls. I remember the post, a ton of comments asking to see the stick lol. So why is it more of a thing for males than females? Is it because, at least back in the 90s or earlier, boys were sent outside to play and a stick was a gun/sword/hiking staff/whatever else we could come up with, and girls were pushed to play with their dolls and used their imagination that way?
Not to say this was how it was for everyone, or it was right, but there were more gender roles pushed on us back then (saying back then makes me feel old). And I guess that doesn’t explain anything of why the son now has a interest in sticks, maybe it’s not the first time dad and son bonded over a stick and it stuck with him that dad likes sticks so I like sticks too.
/end coffee withdrawal ramblings
I don’t know what the consensus is these days, but at one point it was thought that “cavemen” tended to hunt and “cavewomen” tended to care for young and gather.
Sticks were our toys when we were little. They were our swords, our guns, etc.
No, lots of girls and women like sticks too. This lady is just a weirdo for not liking them.
“Who would win in a fight? An army guy or a stick?”
“That’s stupid. The army guy would just break the stick in half.”
“Ah, but now there are two sticks. Stick win every time.”
Subbed!
Snap!
Well, we sit on the ground and dig holes with a stick. I mean… that’s what men supposed to do…
Love for sticks is hardwired deep in our brain. What’s the first thing a toddler does outside? Find a stick and swing it around. Dig with it. Hit stuff with it. Invent games with it. Build with it. Sticks are fundamental to human behavior and civilization.
I found a good stick once. Damn, that was a nice stick.
I used a perfect stick once. I was backpacking in the high Sierra’s and found the perfect walking stick. I carried it the entire trip, used it to poke at fires, kept my balance with it over difficult terrain, and imagined it would be a formidable weapon should we encounter a bear. When we finished the trip I decided to bestow my perfect stick upon the next fortuitous hiker to pass the trailhead. I carved my name and the date into the middle of the stick and left it leaning against the trailhead. I have thought about that stick many times since that trip. I was a fool to leave it there. Never again have I found such a perfect stick. After many disappointing treks into the wilderness I finally gave up seeking that stick’s equal and instead purchased trekking poles. Wherever you are stick, I miss you.
You bestowing it in the next lucky hiker was an act of love…
Shut up, I’m not crying, you are …
I found a kickass stick 4 years ago in the Smokies the weekend my wife and I got married. It’s literally the perfect stick. Straight, smooth, nice thickness, durable as hell. Must be of a rare hardwood variety, I would imagine. I still have that stick in the corner and I see it everyday when I’m sitting at my PC. Have I ever used it for anything? I wouldn’t dare. It’s too nice of a stick to just use on a whim. Why do I keep it around? Well, if I ever had a problem that required a really nice fuckin stick, I’m covered. Every year or so, my wife says to me, “JPSound, you still have that stick?! Why do you keep that thing around?” I look that woman dead in the eyes and say, “there will come a day, my bride, when the creator of all shall lay before us an obstacle, nay, a challenge that only a mighty stick of such grandeur may aid us in such a lofty trial. And this stick, my dearest, this stick awaits our call to guide us into the sunkissed valley of victory so sweet. Only then shall you see what I see. Know what I know now, that this mear stick, is far more than it seems. Then you will know, I am the mighty protector of this home and family. You will see, my love. You will see.” Then she usually just rolls her eyes and says, “whatever… I gotta run to the grocery store. Do you need anything special?” And I respond with a mighty boom, “yeah, that fancy chocolate milk I like, please.”
Sticks are awesome.
So are stones and any pinecone shaped like a grenade.
son liked the stick, father was supportive of son. love it
