This is going to sound so Canadian but when I was a kid I would make fake weapons out of hockey sticks. Cut the blade off and you've got a VERY strong shaft that's designed to stand up to wet, cold, flexing, and smashing...very hard to break. I've been tempted to keep a couple pre-cut in my Jeep for a rainy day emergency (tarp poles, digging, prying, etc). My dad keeps about 60 pre cut in his garage. Uses them in the garden, and to build stuff out of on the fly.

They make a pretty good walking stick too although heavier than the latest fancy carbon fiber telescopic poles...though I don't think I would turn a $100+ walking stick into a weapon or hunting tool...nor do I think it would make a good one.

In Alberta I think there are more hockey sticks than actual trees of the same diameter!