Canes, anyone use one?

[EE_Bota]

Do ya'll thik that would be a nice gift? My father isn't doing well getting around, I thought about it, but don't want to send a bad message to him. He is a proud, stubburn, old south, retired Navy veteran.
I love the hand made ones myself and have an appriciation for the craftmanship.

I'd risk it, and tell him in this day and time, having a stick with you is not a bad idea. It puts a different spin on the gift to go along with the traditional use.

 

[deepNdirt]

Do ya'll thik that would be a nice gift? My father isn't doing well getting around, I thought about it, but don't want to send a bad message to him. He is a proud, stubburn, old south, retired Navy veteran.
I love the hand made ones myself and have an appriciation for the craftmanship.

get one of them pecan picker-upper tools and attach it to the end of the cane.... this could also make as a nice gift, and just before you leave tell him... Oh! btw if ever you need to use a walking cane the Pecan picker-upper can be removed and will double as a walking cane,

 

[6thgpSF]

the V.A. gave me one last year when I had a hip replaced.It was made of wood.They gave me a metal one this year when I had a knee replaced .I use it all the time cause I walk funny w/o it.I wish I could stop using it but for now need one.When I was going to rehab at my V.A. I saw a kid back from Iraq and he was using one that looked like a leg bone.I asked him where he got it and he said he ordered it online. russ

 

[bcp]

Amazon.com: 37" Craftsman Oak and Elder Saw Cane / Walking Stick: Sports & Outdoors

Yay! O! Yay! « Because it really is personal…

WALKING CANES - Reader's Gallery - Fine Woodworking

 

[Bird]

I'd risk it, and tell him in this day and time, having a stick with you is not a bad idea. It puts a different spin on the gift to go along with the traditional use.

It's been awhile back now, but my wife said she saw something on TV about teaching older people to use a cane as a weapon, and I'm sure that could be done.

 

[Tollster]

Nice ideas on a cane for my father! I like the pecan picker upper, he grew up with many a can' tree in Arkansas.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's been awhile back now, but my wife said she saw something on TV about teaching older people to use a cane as a weapon, and I'm sure that could be done.

Funny, I read something similar and had already done a search when I read your post. A cane is a weapon, not a crutch, in self-defense - USATODAY.com

I've been thinking about training a few ash and hornbeam (aka, ironwood) saplings in the shape of a comfortable handle, in case I ever do find myself needing one.

 

[Bird]

Funny, I read something similar and had already done a search when I read your post. A cane is a weapon, not a crutch, in self-defense - USATODAY.com

I've been thinking about training a few ash and hornbeam (aka, ironwood) saplings in the shape of a comfortable handle, in case I ever do find myself needing one.

I think that may be exactly what my wife was talking about. In any case, I appreciate your finding and posting that.

 

[kootch88]

I have the coolest cane from my grandfather, who used it to cross the mountains during world war one. When I got myself into a wheelchair he gave it to me in hopes I could use it one day. So far no luck, but it is very special, given the history behind it. It looks like any other cane I guess, but to me it is the best cane of all.

 

[Bird]

It looks like any other cane I guess, but to me it is the best cane of all.

I think we can all understand that, and we'll hope you get to put it to good use someday.

 

[EE_Bota]

Funny, I read something similar and had already done a search when I read your post. A cane is a weapon, not a crutch, in self-defense - USATODAY.com

I've been thinking about training a few ash and hornbeam (aka, ironwood) saplings in the shape of a comfortable handle, in case I ever do find myself needing one.

That's a good article. I'm not close to needing cane yet, but now I will listen to both physical and societal cues when I make my decision.

 

[dmccarty]

It's been awhile back now, but my wife said she saw something on TV about teaching older people to use a cane as a weapon, and I'm sure that could be done.

When I was much younger, I studied a few martial arts, that included the use of a wood staff and swords. We never used real swords, just too danged dangerous and expensive, but a wood sword will ring your bell. A wood sword is not much different in size, shape and weight than a wood cane. Now, when I was studying Kendo, it was fun and interesting, but I certainly did not think that I would be fighting with a sword some day....

But here is the thing. A wood sword is just a stick. Nothing more or nothing less. A stick wont hurt you. But if you know certain things, a stick can make a very effective weapon.

Once upon a time there was a man name Musashi who is most likely the best swordsman in all of Japanese history, and most likely, in the world. He wrote a book, "Go Rin No Sho", aka "The Book of Five Rings" which is still read to this day and still relevant. One day Musashi was to have a duel with another famous and very good swordsman. If you think of a duel out of a Western, you would have the right idea except the fight was not on main street, but on a beach, and with swords, not six shooters.

Musashi was supposed to show up at a certain time for the dual but he was late. He had to take a boat from an island to the beach and on the trip over he took a spare oar and carved it into a wood sword. There are theories on WHY Musashi was late. I think he was late primarily to upset his opponent. He knew his opponent and knew that his opponent would view his the being late as an insult and thus he would be mad. Emotion is not a good thing when fighting with swords and a split second is all it takes to die.

Why would Musahi use a wooden sword and not his metal one? My guess is two reasons, one the wood sword might have been taken as an insult and/or not taken seriously by his opponent. Two, Musashi might have carved a LONGER sword than his opponents. Metal vs wood did really not mean much in a fight between two men.

The fight is quickly fought and of course Musashi won. Other wise we would not have "The Book of Five Rings".

Sun Tzu, Chinese strategist, not Japanese, had a dictum that if you knew yourself and knew your opponent, you would 100% of your battles. Me thinks Musashi proved Sun Tzu's dictum in that fight.

Funny thing is, that years later, I was using wooden batons, and eventually, expandable metal batons which really are not that much different than a wooden sword. That Kendo training was far more useful than I thought it ever would be.

A wooden stick/cane/sword can supply a big can of whoop fanny in the right hands. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[TripleR]

I used an Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick for many years; good support as well as impact weapon, I'm on crutches now, so no canes except in my tractors to adjust mirrors, engage 4WD etc.

 

[grnspot110]

I have a couple of old simple wooden ones, but what I use the most I made from 3/4" copper pipe; pipe, two 90* elbows & a couple caps! I've had some knee problems over the years & a couple of surgeries. The cane helps with stability, also carry it when I'm going to be standing around a lot (auctions, etc.). When I made the copper one, I was going to use 1/2", but decided to go with 3/4" after I got the fittings, so when the wife had surgery, I made her one in 1/2", wrap the handles with tennis racket tape.

Recently had inner ear infection, so I used it then, also made a walking stick from a broken wood fork handle. It had broken just below the top of the metal sleeve, just cleaned it up, applied Spar Varnish & added a 1" crutch tip. ~~ grnspot