The following is a list of the materials and costs associated for all projects. The final cost of the cane or walking stick will vary from project to project depending on the piece. All prices are in Canadian dollars.
Types of Wood
Oak High combination of bending strength, durability, and impact resistance. Resists breaking, denting, and wear on very rugged trails. Holds up well over time and looks better with age. Slightly heavier, which might fatigue some hikers on very long treks. Finishes well with an oil based dark brown stain.
Maple Exceptional hardness and stiffness make it excellent for resisting flex and impacts. Often strikes a better weight-to-strength balance than oak. Finishes well with an oil based stain in either brown or reddish hues.
Walnut Solid bending strength and good stability. It’s lighter than oak or maple, making it more comfortable for extended hikes, while still being plenty strong for most users. Finishes extremely well with tung or Danish oil producing a rich, dark brown colour that is very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Cherry Lighter weight and nice appearance make it pleasant to carry, with decent strength for lighter-duty hiking. It offers a good strength-to-weight ratio and works well for aesthetics-focused sticks. More prone to denting or flexing under heavy loads or repeated impacts on very tough terrain. Finishes well with stain however tung oil brings out its naturally beautiful grain pattern.
Cost of Materials
Wood shaft (per 36" piece)
Oak - $20
Maple - $20
Walnut - $35
Cherry - $25
Hardware
Head piece - $20 to $60 (depending on piece)
Brass connector - $10/each
Connector cover - $5/each
Ferruels (bottom tip of shaft)
Large brass - $30
Medium brass - $15
Small brass - $5
Rubber Tip - Free
Paracord handle wrap - $5
Wrist strap (pre-made elastic) - $5
Wrist strap (paracord drilled through shaft - recommended) - Free