Crawford Survival Staff - How Useful?

H

HJK

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The Crawford Survival Staff is a combination walking stick, hiking pole, blowgun, spear, knife, fighting stick, fishing spear, camera base and place for storage. http://www.crawfordknives.com/html/staff.html
I wonder if anyone has actually used this and can tell how good it is at any of these functions and what options are best.
I'm less interested in urban use than wilderness/field use, but I'd welcome all comments.
 
Brothers & Sisters of the Great Out-of-doors,
HJK,

Thank you for pointing out this item. Several of us have plans for an extended outing in the next few months and are strongly drawn to this walking stick.

You may want to contact Crawford and ask about feedback which they've received.

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi
 
I haven't seen one in person but I did come across this while surfing through Triple Aught's site recently and as a backpacker it struck me as rather pricey for what you get.

I can't imagine the blowgun being all that useful and apart from this you could take care of the function of everything else with a $45 Tracks Sherlock Staff or some similar staff or treking pole, a $45 ASP Baton and the knife of your choice. Reminds me a little too much of those "ninja" swords I've seen advertised that have a similar array of toys built in.
 
Aside from the gadget factor, I didn't think it made sense either. Don't get me wrong, I feel that a gadget factor is by itself enough reason to buy something expensive. But in this case, I have a hard time coughing up the bucks on purely utilitarian grounds. I've never used Crawford's staff, but saw one years ago. Can someone remind me, how much does this thing weigh?

Joe
 
I really like the Survival Staff from the gadget/workmanship standpoint. However, I think that many of the foregoing comments are correct. You could find a walking stick and a CS Bushman and accomplish most of what the Survival Staff will do.

Another problem is the legal issue. Here in California, the Survival Staff would undoubtedly be considered a disguised weapon and prohibited under the sword cane ban (oh no, an evil Assault Stick!). They can be charged as a felony, so no matter what we may think of the law, the risk is substantial.

DPD.
 
The concealed blade would be illegal in Canada too, and I'd only consider it with the blade in the field or the bush where the application of the law is more sensible.
I was thinking of it as an alternative to a Leki or full bore hiking staff . Clearly it isn't as good for that purpose but often I just cut myself a branch anyway and this might be much better than that.
I can also see it as a cane/bo/fighting stick in the City, but I don't know how suitable it would be for that purpose either. Aluminum wouldn't be my first choice for that, but I wonder how good it actually is.
 
HJK;
Get yourself a 4' lathe from Cold Steel and put a Bushman on one end. I made a flat rectangular leather sheath to slip over the Bushman to I don't cut myself while swinging the lathe. I carry this every day when walking my Rat Terrier since there are those in my neighborhood who have pit bulls, chows, and Rottweilers and let them run loose sometimes.
If a LEO feels he has to have my staff then I have more rattan and several Bushman's.

------------------
Ron,
Bremerton, Washington
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Mr. E. Blackadder;

While I agree that the Crawford staff isn't much, especially considering the price, and also granting that the 20 inch or so blowgun wouldn't be really useful (you need a minimum of 3 feet), the idea of a staff and blowgun together is intriguing.

If one had access to the proper tools and materials, one could make a truly useful tool/weapon. Get a hardwood dowel about 1.25 inches in diameter, and 61 or so inches long (a good length for the indiviual). Hollow out the bottom 11 inches, leaving an outside wall thickness of 1/4 inch. On the other end, bore out a conical hole, much like a funnel, with 1/2 inch walls at the top, and tapering down to .40. Cut the dowel in half on a table saw. Use a router to cut a channel, between the hollowed out sections, to house a .40 blowgun. Insert the alumiminium tube of the blowgun, and glue the two halves back together. The funnel end is the blowgun's mouthpiece, and the hollowed out section on the other end is for dart storage. To strengthen the dart storage area, mill a brass or copper sleeve to fit snugly over the bottom of the staff. Weld on a plate to the bottom. Slip fit the tube on, and drill two small holes to insert a pair of screws to hold the tube to the bottom of the staff. When you need to use the blowgun, take the brass tube off (which then becomes a quiver; insert a string into the screw holes to allow you to carry it over your shoulder), shake out the 6-8 broadhead hunting darts (11 inch OAL), plus one in the blowgun itself. You have a fine staff for hiking, and a good means of food procurement, all in one. The hunting darts are easy to make, and effective on game up to rabbit size, without poison.
 
My fist impression of a hiking staff/ blowgun concept was pretty negative. However after re-reading the above posting I can see how a well designed blowgun with the right darts could be useful. However, it would take a tremendous amount of practice and that time had better be invested before one finds themself in a survival situation.

My reading on the subject leads me to believe that it would be a mistake for most people to attempt to go hunting like this unless they really felt like their ordeal was going to be long term. The hunting would tend to use up more energy than its worth in most cases.

On a primitive weapon note let me ask this: Would you consider a blowgun a better option than a slingshot for someone untrained or at least not heavily practiced on either one?

[This message has been edited by Mr E Blackadder (edited 06-28-2001).]
 
Well, I'm REALLY bad with a slingshot, like a wrist rocket, but a blowgun is fairly intuitive to shoot. The biggest thing is judging how much "hold-over" to allow. Windage is fairly easy, while elevation can take a fair amount of practice. When I got my first blowgun (and I'm far from an expert, even now), I was shooting 4-5 inch groups at 21 feet within a few hours. Longer ranges are really trying, which is where a bamboo shafted hunting dart really comes in handy. My "target range" (the hallway in my trailer) allows me to practice at fifty feet. I use an 8 inch dense foam target core (from an archery broadhead target) for my target, mounted on a 12x15 cardboard backer (layered cardboard, to keep the darts from sticking in the wall). From the max distance, I can keep 6 of 8 darts on the foam target, most of them pretty close together. The other two hit the backer. I don't practice as much as I would like, as it's something I do when "in the mood", more for fun than anything else. But, with dedication (and a longer tube), I could see myself going after rabbits at up to 20-25 yards (max), and quail at 10-15. It's easier to hit with a blowgun than you would think. Of course, if one had a South American Indian as a next door neighbor, you could learn all sorts of neat things. :~} But it would definitely not be something to take along on a hike, and learn "OJT" in the bush.
 
Well, I'm REALLY bad with a slingshot, like a wrist rocket, but a blowgun is fairly intuitive to shoot. The biggest thing is judging how much "hold-over" to allow. Windage is fairly easy, while elevation can take a fair amount of practice. When I got my first blowgun (and I'm far from an expert, even now), I was shooting 4-5 inch groups at 21 feet within a few hours. Longer ranges are really trying, which is where a bamboo shafted hunting dart really comes in handy. My "target range" (the hallway in my trailer) allows me to practice at fifty feet. I use an 8 inch dense foam target core (from an archery broadhead target) for my target, mounted on a 12x15 cardboard backer (layered cardboard, to keep the darts from sticking in the wall). From the max distance, I can keep 6 of 8 darts on the foam target, most of them pretty close together. The other two hit the backer. I don't practice as much as I would like, as it's something I do when "in the mood", more for fun than anything else. But, with dedication (and a longer tube), I could see myself going after rabbits at up to 20-25 yards (max), and quail at 10-15. It's easier to hit with a blowgun than you would think. Of course, if one had a South American Indian as a next door neighbor, you could learn all sorts of neat things. :~} But it would definitely not be something to take along on a hike, and learn "OJT" in the bush.
 
I hate to be the legal pain-in-the-butt, however, you need to check your local laws on blowguns too. They are illegal in Calif. and some other obnoxious states.

Before you start making jokes about California's fear of drive-by blowgunnings, I read that one actually occurred in the Phoenix area about 5 or 6 years ago. The victim was hit in the calf. The cup separated from the back or the dart and the dart passed all the way through his calf. Nonetheless, I think we Californians could live with the risk!

When I was in Arizona I practiced a lot with a five foot aluminum model (teflon lined) and could usually hit a beer can at 15 yards. That might get you some grouse, squirrels, etc. One of my friends nailed some mice in his cabin at about 5-7 yards.

DPD.
 
I got a mouse with my 3 footer this last winter. Cheeky little bugger was sitting on the woodpile next to my stove, just hangng out. I got my blowgun, which was leaning against the wall next to my chair, slipped in a wire dart, and let fly. At first I thought I had missed, as he took off so fast. But then I heard him banging around, with the dart hitting the wall as he made his getaway. Wire darts won't drop even small critters where they stand, but I figure he had just enough steam left in him to make it back to his nest before expiring. Hopefully, he passed on a terrible tale of blowgun vengance! :~}

As for legality, I think the only two states to totally outlaw blowguns are California and Massacheutus (probably mangled the spelling there). A number of catalog companies, as well as internet companies, sell pre-made blowguns. For a good read about blowguns, and how to make them and use them, Michael Janich has a pretty good book called, "Blowgun, the Breath of Death". Paladin carries it, among others, and it's a good source of info. As for "lega;;y" hinting with a blowgun, I doubt that ANY state would allow it, but it's a fun pastime, especially if you go after varmints. Shouldn't get into trouble shooting ground squirells and the like.
 
I'm sure this staff is a nice piece of engineering. I just don't think survival staffs in general work well in the field.

Better to keep things simple and buy one good tool at a time. To make multi systems work there are just more compromises being made. Survival items anyway shouldn't be localised, but spread about ones person and kit.

I like blowguns, ilegal Section Five Firearm in the UK, ie same as a pistol. But they are surprisingly effective on the smallest game and the skill level is not unsurmountable.

Fishing spears take some real punishment, and are easily enough made. A walking stick can keep most dogs at bay.
 
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