Quad Pod Shooting Sticks

If there is one thing I hate forgetting when I go out hunting, whether that be stalking, foxing or just plain airgunning, are my shooting sticks at home. Some form of steadying aid is so beneficial for the on the move shooter it becomes second nature to me when I take the aim. They are also very handy at steadying yourself over rocks, ditches and barb wire fences and also checking the depth of those bogs or burns so you don`t disappear only to be found on a future Time Team special.

As we all know sticks come in all forms but the most stable are the four-legged variety supporting both the front and rear of the rifle, only problem is that they can be quite slow to deploy.

Enter the new Quad pod sticks from Derek Clifford who like me wanted something - but no one made it. So being an industrious sort of chap he started to make his own Quadruped which soon spawned a new small business as more and more stalkers were asking for them.

SPEC

Each set of sticks are bespoke made to suit you, not me or Aunt Bertha… no, these are just for you so care is taken to fashion a precise and infinity useful set of proper and expertly made sticks. I asked Derek how he came about designing the sticks and this is what he said: “Development of the Quad pod stick came about because I wanted a shooting platform which provided accuracy and confidence.  Standard bipod and tripod sticks just didn’t fill me with the confidence I was after. Even with practice shooting off sticks at range was not an easy prospect.

A friend had purchased a set of quad sticks consisting of four poles with associated hinges and cradles and on a trip to Scotland Sika stalking I tried them out. I was instantly taken with how stable they were. Eliminating movement between the stock and forend. But, allowing movement in elevation. 

So the concept of the quad pod stick was an instant hit. What I wasn’t so enamoured with was the build quality and portability of what was available on the market. I started to give some thought on how to produce a set of sticks which would be more compact when being carried but easy to deploy for use. I have a back ground in aerospace engineering and an interest of woodworking and using both these interests I set about the task.”

SQUARE PEG!

Derek explained that early prototypes were made consisting of square poles with slots for hinges and cradles. It quickly became apparent that a square pole was not comfortable to carry. So a radius router cutter transformed the individual legs into a round pole. Early feedback suggested they were a tad heavy. So the legs were fluted on the inside edge and the weight problem was resolved. The cradles presented challenges of their own and had to be strengthened with alloy inserts to eliminate potential weaknesses which could cause breakages if dropped.

The hinges were further developed to provide protection of the wood when in contact with the ground and maximise strength. Small magnets are used at both ends of the stick to assist closing and help hold the pod together for carrying. The quad pod stick can also be used as a walking aid for stability on steep or rough ground.

The sticks are crafted from kiln-dried oak and finished with stain and linseed oil. Being a natural product the y need to be cared for with oil applied periodically to help keep the elements at bay. If they get wet allow them to dry naturally to help eliminate warping.  Three leg lengths have been developed, 55,  57 and 59”, to cover individuals in height from 5’6’’ to 6’ +.

CONCLUSIONS

Quad sticks have been around in various guises for some time, but Derek`s offering take all the benefits of their stability potential and packages them into a British quality bespoke product. I have used them over the Christmas period and found them amazingly good to use. Incredibly stable with very good ability to adjust your aim for height and cant. The speed of deployment is the quickest I have used on any four legged stick and as a folded up single pod they are very agile and reassuring over rough terrain.

Build quality is superb, the magnet system is genius and the oiled oak lends an air of old world charm. These are the most stable shooting sticks I have used from a standing position but you have to pay for them. As individually fitted sticks they cost £250 + p&p and waiting times may apply depending on orders.  But as they say: ‘Buy the best and only cry once!’

FOR: Clever and practical design
AGAINST: Expensive but if you want the best!
VERDICT:A lot of money when compared to the competition but good