How to Make a Whistle on a Hiking Stick

Whistles are useful for those who are lost or injured in the forest.

Accidents and injuries happen on the hiking trail, and even if you are well-trained and experienced in orienteering, it is still possible to get lost in the forest. This is why whistles often appear on lists of camping or hiking gear, as they are light and the sound from them carries. However, whistles are also the sort of pocket item that is easy to forget to pack or to carry with you. One way to make sure your whistle is always with you when you need it is to carve one into the head of your hiking stick.

Things You'll Need

• Wood hiking stick
• Tape measure or ruler
• Pencil
• Pocket knife or buck knife
• Drill with 5/16-inch bit
• Hand sanding block with medium-grit sandpaper
• Wood glue

Instructions

1. Measure the width of your hiking stick. Also measure and mark a spot 1/2 inch down from the top of the stick.

2. 

   An acute triangle.

   Whittle out a notch in the top of your hiking stick. The notch needs to be shaped like an acute triangle, with the flat, short leg aligned with your 1/2-inch mark. The deepest part of the notch needs to be half the width of the hiking stick.

3. Measure your 5/16-inch drill bit and mark a spot on it 2 5/8 inches down from the point. Drill a hole down through the center of the top of your hiking stick, stopping when you reach the 2 5/8-inches mark.

4. Check your work. If you whittled the notch and drilled the hole properly, then the bottom of the notch should be an opening into the hole you just drilled, just like in a whistle. If not, whittle the notch a little more until you have that opening.

5. Whittle a scrap of wood until it forms a capsule-like insert. This insert needs to be wide and tall enough to fill half of the drilled hole, and 3/8-inch long. Sand the insert with a hand sanding block for a smooth finish.

6. Sand the top of your hiking stick, so it has a smooth finish that is pleasant to blow on. Glue the insert into the drilled hole, pushing it in so the top of the insert is aligned with the top of the hiking pole.

References

• Exciting Scout Crafts: Wooden Whistle