Two friends started rating sticks as a joke. Now, the internet is obsessed with finding cool-looking sticks.

Sticks have long served as walking aids, weapons, sporting equipment, and even ritual objects. Yet, few have considered them collectibles—until now. Enter Boone Hogg and Logan Jugler, the duo behind @officialstickreviews on TikTok, who launched the "StickTok" movement to celebrate the overlooked beauty of sticks. Their wholesome online campaign quickly grew into a thriving community, with “Stickheads” eagerly submitting their finest finds in hopes of winning the coveted “Stick of the Year” contest.

This new TikTok trend resonated with many people for its simplicity and positive approach to looking at ordinary life objects. In 2023, Hogg and Jugler’s accidental discovery of a worn-down stick during a Utah trail laid the stepping stones of the movement, as reported by NPR. "StickTok," which began as an inside joke to describe the stick's properties, became a 789,000-strong community. One of the most popular videos among the submissions from one of its members was what appeared to be a fine "Rod of Asclepius." An enthusiastic "Stickhead" shared how he stumbled upon a stick that looked exactly like one used for playing pool. Although it was not a cue, its natural design, which seemed to feature a single serpent entwined around a staff, made it look like a stick from Asclepius.

“This stick was growing through a fence. You can see it's great at casting. This is a wizard-type stick, and it has the protection sleeve on the bottom,” the man was heard saying in his “official submission” to the “stick nation.” He went on to describe his stick as so “amazing” and unique that nobody would ever be able to find another like it. Similarly, in another video, a woman discovered a wooden stick with a top that resembled a duck's head. "Hello, 'Stick Nation.' I'm here with this magical forest goose-duck stick, and he says hello," she said, proudly showing off her rare find.

In yet another submission video, a man from Sweden showed his stick, boasting a resemblance to “the Yggdrasil staff” found in his backyard. Its spiral designs or carvings led many to speculate that it had a connection to nature or mysticism. The unusual stick was tall and had a fine top with what seemed like tree branches, making it different from others. “It's got this big crown on top, a smaller one on the opposite end. It's quite heavy, but I think it's absolutely beautiful,” the man was heard saying.

This particular video garnered 11 million views. Among the countless reactions, @richjoebushcraft jokingly remarked, “Congratulations on your latest coronation as the new king of the trees. That find was like pulling the sword from the stone.”

“You must have some Druidic blood to be able to hold it without being destroyed,” @avuncularo quipped. Another “Stickhead” @damienhaas chimed in, “Incredible. This is what I needed to get through the day.” Notably, unlike many internet trends, the movement to promote sticks began with the aim of promoting joyful escapism and discovering nature’s hidden beauty. 

You can follow Boone Hogg and Logan Jugler (@officialstickreviews) on TikTok for more submissions on 'stick.'