Seems to be a distinct lack of these around and the ones I've seen all have minor skill and spells/ day boosts.
Consider maybe adding a few unlimited use per day cantrip staves? Replaces the typical bow/ xbow most casters use and is a bit more thematic. I understand the potential balance issues of say fire, magic missile or acid, but I think it would be a bit a nice add.
Staves are intentionally rare to maintain their prestige. There have also historically been a number of npc's who pay huge bounties for players who bring them said staves. They're essentially the ultimate mage prestige to own and can only generally be held for very long by highly skilled wizards as it is considered fair game to subdue any wizard with such a staff in order to exchange their stave for some potent dm loot or a huge sum of gold.
As a side note, typically casters don't use bows or any kind, they keep an array of scribed scrolls and sometimes wands (usually scrolls for wizards, as they're more convenient to make for higher level spells) to supplement themselves.
If you want endless cantrips just take Craft Wand. Super cheap.
Staves are a mark of prestige and a way of a wizard basically showing that they are creme of the creme. I am 100% opposed to making staves more common.
As for cantrips there are tons of cantrip items all over the place and as a person suggested taking craft wand is a super cheap way to have a cantrip supply.
After hearing this, I'd actually retract the idea. I had no idea there was a sort of staff black market! Does explain why the few good ones I've seen have disappeared..sometimes along with the wielder...
I know scrolls and cantrip wands are all viable alternates, I thought this might be a thematic alternate, but considering the arguments I think I'd prefer it stay as is.
I would actually like this suggestion as I BELIEVE that in the toolset the DMs can make the staffs with no top piece / highly mundane (not glowing / spinning galaxy shit, etc) that might be cool to have around for you hedge wizard filth.
I prefer wizards who have accomplished something to have glowy staves. Much like warriors get glowy weapons (both are rare, which is good).