But I can not stand a temptation
The discussion reminds me of Terry Pratchett and the song Nanny Ogg was fond of singing:
The Wizards Staff Has A Knob On Its End...
Work the rest up for yourselves
But lest the post be deleted, let us have a quick go at it from Tolkien angle as well
My belief is, that, in the first place, the staff is there at all:
A) For such is a tradition (in Western Mythology, that is) Wizard should have a staff, a cloak, hood/hat
B) For the name Gandalf was chosen, and Gandalf = Wandelf
Rest, I'll just repeat what was said - there is no need (or obligation) for the wizard to employ his power via staff (I delibirately refrain from using word 'magic' here, reasons given in numerous posts around).
To give you an analogy - the pen enhences my writing skill, but be there a pen or not, I
know how to write, and I probably would find a way of writing in case of need (just it would be less refined, or more clumsy, without a pen)
Not backed up theory of mine is, however, the following:
Maiar needed staffs in case they were 'true' incarnates. Matter as an obstacle, overcome by other (and special) 'channeling' matter.
Or another analogy - as a spell (or rather a 'song' with Tolkien (or even a word, sometimes the same thing)) gives a thought a form and power to change, so the staff channels the 'sheer' power.
No time to elaborate on this, unfortunately. Maybe later
cheers
