"Survival Staff" - In Titanium? Carbon fiber?

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HJK

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I have been looking at the Crawfords' "Survival Staff", and it looks pretty good. Walking stick, lance, fighting stick, baton, fishing spear, blowgun, covert blade, rifle rest, camera unipole - all in one package that can be unscrewed into different sections for different combinations. Some of that can be very useful. And not ridiculously expensive, depending on the options.
But it's made out of aluminum. Too heavy for a serious hiking pole. I think it would be substantially better, and lighter, if were made out of titanium. Maybe not that much more expensive. Possibly carbon fiber, if it can be made tough enough. That would have the benefit of not conducting electricity. Maybe if there is enough interest Wes could be persuaded to consider making a few. Anyone interested? Anyone know of anything similar already out there?
 
Titanium is not lighter than aluminum, and it is a whole lot harder to work with.
 
I thought it was lighter and stronger, and a lot harder to work with.
Aircraft and bicycle manufacturers seem to think so too. Is it a question of different grades of aluminum and titanium?
 
I think that if you were to look at an atomic chart with all the elements, you would find that titanium is almost twice as heavy as aluminum.It is much stronger, so it can be far thinner than aluminum and still do the job. That is if I remember correctly. But I agree that a Crawford staff in Tia would be great. It can be bought in raw tubing form, so it could be done. Price?!?!?!
 
Hi,

Carbon fiber does conduct electricity, we've had several people die over the past years when they came into contact (or to near) powercables with their extreme sized fishing canes (20-30 feet) that they used for fishing further up the water. These fishing poles are almost always made from super light weight carbon fiber as otherwise the hole thing would become to heavy to hold with comfort for hours at a time.

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera
 
but aluminum backpacking gear is often lighter than its Ti equivalent. The Ti tentpegs for example can be slimmer and therefore lighter or about the same weight and much stronger. I read a comparison of the anodized airctaft aluminum Easton pegs and Ti pegs. Ti won, but not by much. I think high quality hard anodized aircraft aluminum, carbon fiber or Ti would probably work fine for this application.

Also, if I recall correctly, we used carbon fiber "chaff" to short out Iraqui power stations during the gulf war.
 
As Bagheera points out, CF is conductive.

Titanium is heavier than aluminum, dimensionally, but lighter in terms of strength.

--JB
 
Thanks JB. I still would prefer the titanium for strength and lightness, if the cost isn't too high.
 
I've had a Crawford Survival Staff for years (It must work -- I've survived ... :D)

I don't know how much lighter you want it to be. The hiking staff breaks down into a two foot upper section and a three foot cane. The upper is packed away right now, with the dagger inside. But weighing the cane, get 1 lb. even, compared to a three foot oak knobtop cane that weighs 14 oz.

I know when I used to hike with the whole staff intact, including the dagger inside, it would swing along so light in my hand that on open ground it tended to get away from me. I doubt it's over two lb. total weight.

Titanium would be neat. It would have to be a hollow shaft like the Survival Staff, of course, or it would be too thin for a good grip.

Forget carbon fiber. Think about fiberglas, like the Cold Steel City Stick. (It's no use my weighing that for you because it has a massive solid steel knob.)
 
I'm not sure if CF would be something I would want in a staff like this. I'm sure it will scuff, at the very least, and when CF gets marred and scratched or even gouged you'll have very nasty CF fibres exposed to open skin. Anyone ever get a CF sliver? They are a b!!ch to get out!

I would prefer an alloy of some sort and if need be, coated with some sort of rubber/plastic if one desires.

I avoid CF knives too for the same reasons. Brrrr, the thought just bring chills back to me!

Burton
 
I still like Ti. The best hiking polls are very light for good reason, although for tactical purposes heft is obviously necessary. The Crawford just seems too heavy to me, but for striking there is an optional heavy steel attachment that could be used even if the main components were lighter.
What about this molybdenum disulfide stuff: can it be hollowed out http://www.usualsuspect.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=64405#post64405
 
The problem with relying on the optional steel handle for extra weight is that the weight would be concentrated at one end. For best effect, the weight should be distrbuted evenly, so the wielder would really not notice it as much, but the target would.

The best hiking poles are too light for me to trust my weight to!

((I don't know anything about molybdenum whatever, and USN won't let me in.))
 
I really like my Byrd Spear....which attachs to my model 18 RAndall...and it has the compass and light.....love the heft and it is stainless.
 
Esav Benyamin,
I agree it's annoying that usn won't let you lurk but you should go ahead and register, it's a great forum with a gadgets and gear like the one here. :)

- Pete
 
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