I've tried it and it works very well, but 2 things occur - the rods go together when you move forward and come apart when you move back (momentum I suppose) plus my pesky brain makes my hands make it happen, because I want it to.
Not saying that means it can't be done, just that those two reasons combined make it impossible for me to personally test it.

I'd like to see someone dowsing in a suit of armour with the arms and hands welded solid...