I prefer 2 poles. They make it a lot easier going down the steep hills. They can help keep my balance when crossing streams. They help when stepping over trees across the trail. A few times, they may have prevented a fall.

I use these Black Diamond poles because that's what the store had. They work fine. If the locking mechanism starts to loosen, just tighten the screws. It has only happened once to me in 2 years.

If you use poles and are going over rocks where the pole could get stuck I'd suggest taking the strap off your wrist. I read of a case where someone broke their wrist when they fell and the strap got stuck.

My son has gone to using only one pole and he hardly uses that one.

People used to make their own walking sticks from a branch they found in the woods. Some would make a work of art out of them and carve things into them. For that, you will need a knife and Band-Aids.