Devil’s walkingstick was
used as a grotesque ornamental in Victorian times. The common name refers to the spines on the
often walking stick sized stems that are often growing right where you would
need a handle while climbing a steep hill.
I've tested one as an actually hiking stick after removing the bark and thus the spines, but it is inferior to the Royal Paulownia hiking sticks that I make and the devil's walkingstick developed a large linear split that expanded as the wood dried thus a grip would need to be added for comfort if ignoring the possible safety issue. There is no current state champion in