[lcnPylGDnU4H9OF]

If someone swung a few-feet-long light aluminum pole at my face as hard as they could I imagine I'd try to move my face out of the way.

Granted, I'm assuming that the "strangers" as alluded to in the post you're responding to are not themselves armed. It seems like that is what was communicated.

Also, if #1 is why it's used then #2 and #3 are just gravy.

[kkfx]

They are so light that you can easily just block them without getting hurt with your arm, so to me seems something to avoid at all, instead of de-escalate the "aggressive" usage of a stick seems to be a method to call for physical fight.

Also for dogs, being long, they are far slower to move than the animal, witch means that they can only be used with the intention of trespass the dog skin with the tip, a thing typically not lethal (unless you are a dog killer with exercise) but very painful who likely get more aggressive then before...

If I want to de-escalate with someone much depend on the situation but in general remain calm and clearly indifferent works far better then appear threatening and aggressive. If I need to push aggressive docs I can just ignore them continuing my root OR if they come close enough hit them hard with a single kick, that's far less painful then being pierced by a pointed stick but also far more threatening for them, they feel "throw away" by a so superior force that's no point in keep attacking. If that's not enough hit their head will stop them anyway, if you have no choice a stick will be of no help...

[porknubbins]

My threat model while hiking in the forest is not that a pitbull or attack dog pops up and goes for the kill. Every time I’ve seen a dog it has been a big, just curious dog that probably has an owner hiking somewhere nearby and its reassuring to have a big stick just in case I need to appear intimidating.

[kkfx]

Well, that's perfectly normal and fine, but curious dogs do not need to be threatened... They simply do not assault you so why try to keep them away?