[21twelve]

I have seen the use of metal rods to locate metal and pvc pipes. My theory is they work the way a regular utility locator works - VLF fields in the earth are disrupted/concentrated along long metal features. And in soils with magnetic minerals, the natural alignment of the magnetic minerals is disrupted when putting in a trench - so even a pvc pipe can be detected. Or perhaps an old Roman wall. A magnetometer survey can also find old trenches when the soils have magnetic minerals.

I don't know why a wood stick would work though. And definitely talking to the stick is weird.

[HeadOn]

I am a Mechanical Engineer. Graduated with Honors. I have no superstitions.

I have held two slender metal bent rods and walked across a yard, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up when they twisted in my hands. I was on top of a gas line. “Witch Sticks”, they called them.

Say what you want, I’ve experienced it.