Not really - a 4 oz pole is a huge leap from a stick.

I'll debate you all day on the difference between swinging a 13 oz shaft of aluminum or a 16 oz chunk of wood, vs. a pole so light you have to hold on to it in a windy pass or lose it. I started using some heavier aluminum poles for SAR - the weight made my forearm sore, after being spoiled so long with such light trekking poles. But, the Eastons were cheap and they held up well.