If the adjustable joint is the weak spot on the poles and you didn't pay much for them, you could always glue them in a fixed position. That would obviously leave you with an unadjustable and possibly usless piece of gear. I use a hickory staff that I've inserted a short section of a hardened concrete nail and epoxied it in place. I find that using a single pole is versitile enough for helping me get up and down trails, cross rivers, and keep vegatation from slapping me in the face.
I have thought of trying poles and may in the near future. If I do, I'm headin to wally world.
My staff is on the heavy side but if it breaks, I can always burn it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />