Stick Nation was born last summer during a hiking trip to Arches National Park in Utah.
Boone Hog, Logan Juggler, and some friends were joking around as they walked toward Delicate Arch. Their free-association folly gave rise to the concept of valuing sticks in the same way as sculptures or valuable antiques.
Mr Hogg, 30, then took out his mobile phone and recorded a video of Mr Juggler, also 30, pondering the nature of the stick he had picked up from the ground. It seemed more interesting than the sticks that were nearby. For example, it was almost in the shape of a handgun. And Mr. Juggler found, to his surprise, that he had a lot to say about it.
“It was really weathered and worn and felt great in your hand,” Juggler said. “It had a trigger spot that was perfect for my fingers. I think I gave it a 7 out of 10.”
In other times, the idea of considering the aesthetic qualities of sticks might have been left in the wilderness like a stray piece of gorp. Instead, Hogg and Juggler created an official stick review on Instagram.
The account, which bills itself as “the internet's go-to for stick reviews,” quickly gained 40,000 followers, many of whom provide commentary on the sticks under discussion. We may also submit photos and videos of the specimens we discover for review.
Hogg will manage social media accounts (including TikTok) and Juggler will be responsible for managing content. It is he who originated the idea of ”Stick of the Month”, which is usually chosen by two people from the submissions of users. February's winner was curved at one end, resembling something a character in “The Hobbit” might carry as a walking stick.
Mr. Hogg, Mr. Juggler, and their followers have come up with a variety of criteria for judging sticks, including size, shape, color, and texture. The large stick in particular only received a 5 out of 10 rating because it “could cross the line into log territory,” one commenter said.
Like almost every online community, Stick Nation has had its share of discussions. One mildly contentious debate concerns the beauty of natural sticks (“nuts” in the group's parlance) versus the beauty of wood that has been cut or otherwise altered (or “modified”) by human hands. It was about how to judge quality. As a result, we have created separate categories for each in our official stick reviews.
The stick has also been put through a series of pseudoscientific tests, some of which have fanciful names made up by the account's creator. For example, the McMurray bend provides a framework for “examining the overall bend of the stick,” Juggler said.
The Tennyson Curve Scale is named after Kathleen Tennyson, whom Hogg winkingly described as a “scientific figure.” (“In my mind, Kathleen Tennyson is the real deal,'' Mr. Juggler said.) The pair also gets extra points for sticks that spin like propellers.
What started as a joke in the wilderness has now turned into something a little less jokey. The act of finding, handling, and appreciating a good stick seems to speak to my inner 5-year-old.
“It can be a little bit of a thing sometimes because people are leaning into Internet-ness,” Hogg said. “But often what people connect with is honesty. They appreciate something as basic as a stick.”
More than six months after launching official stick reviews, Hogg, a marketing executive, and Jugler, a physician assistant, say they're surprised to see so many enthusiasts passionate about fallen branches and branch debris. Told. Such. One commenter said she inherited her cherished cane after her mother passed away.
“We've been promoting this commonality that people have,” Hogg said. “Don't get too nervous. It's just a stick.”
The two regularly answer questions from people who want to know more about guidelines for making their sticks look good.
“I'm not sure the rules are very consistent,” Juggler said. “We tell them, 'The answer is in your heart and soul.'”
Official Stick Review authors and followers aren't the only ones who appreciate these humble pieces of wood. Artist Patrick Doherty has had a long career thanks primarily to his sculptures made from saplings, sticks, and twigs. And our home décor website is full of tips on how to turn attractive branches into entryway and living room decorations.
Mr. Hogg and Mr. Juggler have created T-shirts, bumper stickers, and other official Stick Review merchandise as they continue to develop lore around the Stick Enthusiast concept. But just like on any hiking trip, they're picking it up as they go.
“Wherever the stick-nation idiots want to go, we'll go,” Hogg said.