Stick fighting is normally a primer for using a blade, or for competition when a blade would be unsuitable. There are some styles of stick fighting that view the stick as its own rightfully deadly weapon, be it the small baston/eskrima stick (quite alot of schools teach the student to hold 2 baston at a time, so they can parry from multiple angles) the hanbo (traditionally carried in place of a short spear or sword, or as a self-defence weapon in its own right) usually about 4 ft long, 1 inch thick, tapering at either end to improve the mechanical advantage of a hit, and also to make the stick more structurally durable. The quarter staff, or bo, 6 ft long, tapering, and when you've had some experience with it, very fast.
The main disadvantage of stick fighting is vulnerability of your hands and fingers, sliding another weapon along the stick to parry is usually done with a quick spinning/hand changing motion, to try and throw the sword up and hit with the other end of the staff, most of the time the middle of the staff, between the hands, is used for blunt bashing and defence strikes. The ends of the stick are used for punching, whacking, and also for defence in their own right. Most schools that teach sticks as a weapon in their own right also teach you about using the side of the staff applied to an enemies neck will knock them off balance (a classic example).
The best way to think about a stick, particularly the long ones, is not as something to twirl around as fast as possible, but as a large club with you being the pivot. Most realistic moves are much more simple then what you'd see on TV.
If you want you and a friend can probably train yourself with sticks, just picking up stuff from here and there and applying it in like sparring (some experience is still better then none, and I am a believer in self-teaching). I don't recommend using a heavy wood, something light, even PVC tubing is good, but can be painful when whacked by it. Try and wrap it in packing foam, for example.
Sorry about the long posts... I kinda like sticks.

Hey, Douglas the Black, in your stick fighting with your bro, you discovered why armed civillians of old favored the rapier (thrusting) over the side-sword (cut&slice).

   Anyhoo, I studies with some Escrimadors while stationed in Pearl Harbor. A great bunch of guys carrying on the  family lineage of Pedoy Derobio Escrima
  They finaly have their own website. check it out!

    http://www.pedoyschoolofescrima.com/articles/derobiohistory.htm

here's a good site on Irish stick fighting...http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/shillelagh.html

Hey, S_ALLEN,

  That Irish bata site is too frickin' cool! I sent the link to my fencing instructors. I have a feeling we'll be whackin' each other with shilelagh before too long.

Ahhh but Matt_C what if your just walking along and some one like say a highway man pops out, nice to have a gimmick too even things up. you cant always sneak up on someone.

I wasent meaning in a modern sence. I was just thinking of if you where walking along, with a sword shield and a stake, maybe using it as a walking stick, (well not a walking stick its only 4 foot long) or using it as something i think that maybe it would be a good way to get the edge on someone who surprise attacks you. I dont know might work. I am not going to try it

Here is a foolproof defence against mugging. Go to a military surplus store and buy a disarmed grenade. Muss your hair up real bad before going out. Wear your shirt half tucked and half untucked. Mutter lots. Then if muggers approach pull out the grenade, pull the pin then start yelling about vietnam (substitute bosnia, iraq or whatever depending on your age.)

the problem with sword canes(I have 2) is that they are considered a concealed weapon in most states and are just plain illeagel to own in others. While a stick can be just as effective and are not considered a weapon at all.