Collecting sticks might seem like a pastime for children, dogs and beavers, but there is a growing adult community of stick enthusiasts.

The trend was sparked, or at least come out into the open, after two Americans launched an Instagram account devoted to stick reviews in August 2023.

A year later, they boast about 1.6 million followers on Instagram and more than 105,000 on TikTok, with the community collectively known as ‘Stick Nation’.

Founders of the account, Boone Hogg and Logan Jugler, told The New York Times the idea came about after they jokingly filmed a video musing on the quality of a stick Jugler had randomly picked up from the ground during a trek.

“It was really weathered and worn, and felt great in the hand,” Jugler said.

“There was a nice trigger spot for your finger. I think I gave it a 7 out of 10.”

Now, followers of Official Stick Reviews hailing from Germany to Indonesia submit photos or videos of sticks for possible review, and participate in lively commentary on sticks already posted.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matthan Teves (@matteverse)

Sticks are judged based on various categories by Hogg, Jugler and their followers, including size, shape, colour and texture.

“Very versatile stick sir!” a commenter wrote in response to a stick submission.

“Sling Shot ranged attack = 8/10, close combat grappling 9/10, attack strength 6/10, foraging (water dowsing) 7/10, survival skill (holding and propping other tools) 8/10.”

The account’s creators have also coined their own scientific-style terms for categories, such as the Tennison Curve and the McMurray Bend.

“I don’t know that the rules are super coherent,” Jugler told The New York Times.

“We tell them, ‘The answer is in your heart and your soul.’”

Hogg and Jugler have cashed in on the phenomenon by selling merchandise such as T-shirts and bumper stickers.

But they said they were making it up as they go along, and are happy to have created common ground for people across the world in the process.

“Sometimes it’s a bit [a joke], with people leaning into the internet-ness of it,” Hogg said.

“But a lot of time it’s a sincere thing that people are connecting with.

“They’re appreciating something as basic as a stick.”

Even in the unassuming world of sticks, there are sticking points.

Stick Nation is divided between those who support ‘mods’ – sticks that have been carved or altered in some way – and those who only want to see all-natural sticks featured.

In response to a stick submission from Norway, one commenter wrote, “Finally a quality find, not like all the modded or mediocre influencer sticks so often recently on this page.”

“We do a Stick of the Month … tournament at the start of each month, and some people have been calling for modded sticks to be disqualified,” Hogg told CBC.

“They’re very passionate about it. And as much as I think it is funny, I think they are serious.”