The Gondorian Alpine Walking Stick

Hard Kit is all other accoutrements that are not clothing, weapons or armour. This includes pots and tents, and flint & steel, and other things like that.

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Elleth
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The Gondorian Alpine Walking Stick

Post by Elleth »

So I've been going through the trilogy again to reset my brain from PJ-ness, and came across this little jewel: I'd completely forgotten these things!

Anyhow -
The hobbits' packs were brought to them (a little heavier than they had been), and also two stout staves of polished wood, shod with iron, and with carven heads through which ran plaited leathern thongs.

'I have no fitting gifts to give you at our parting,' said Faramir; `but take these staves. They may be of service to those who walk or climb in the wild. The men of the White Mountains use them; though these have been cut down to your height and newly shod. They are made of the fair tree lebethron, beloved of the woodwrights of Gondor, and a virtue has been set upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under the Shadow into which you go!'
The Two Towers, Book IV, Chapter 7 Journey to the Cross-roads
The description - the carving especially - immediately called to mind Ringulf's work. I could also imagine them using the poured pewter decorative bands he uses.
What a wonderful place this is for filling out the mind's eye. :)
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
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Greg
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Re: The Gondorian Alpine Walking Stick

Post by Greg »

Shod with iron, eh? Sounds like there's a spike at the bottom, which is still common in mountaineering tools (see: ice pick/axe) today!
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Straelbora
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Re: The Gondorian Alpine Walking Stick

Post by Straelbora »

The Polish highlander's ciupaga also has an iron spike on the bottom; however, it has a small hatchet handgrip.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ciupaga ... 80&bih=592
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Greg
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Re: The Gondorian Alpine Walking Stick

Post by Greg »

That hatchet begs the question...who was dumb enough to start the Polish joke trend?
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Straelbora
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Re: The Gondorian Alpine Walking Stick

Post by Straelbora »

Finally found a smith (in Poland) who makes non-decorative ciupagi (Polish Highlander walking stick/hatchets).

He also does a nice variety of other blades.

https://www.etsy.com/pl/shop/Pawelblack ... BlKxGCSklU
Vápnum sínum skala maðr velli á
feti ganga framar því at óvist er at vita
nær verðr á vegum úti geirs um þörf guma
Hávamál
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