Walking Sticks & Canes.

[Huertecilla]

Here is another you might like:

and as optional defense feature it has a sturdy triangular fencing blade inside.

The Fayet boutique de cannes in France is quite a good vfm option to have a look at.

Higher end ánd priced as such is the cane department of Burger Knives in South Africa:

 

[Zombie_61]

...So, where does that leave the ´uncomfortable after a while´?
I have no answer.

I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. When I used the word "uncomfortable" I was referring strictly to the feel of the cane's handle in the user's hand. For example, before I got my first proper cane I briefly used a walking stick with a resin skull for a "handle", and after an hour or so the palm of my hand would begin to get sore because of the shape of the skull. These days I use canes with a Derby handle similar to this one, and can use them for several hours with no discomfort to my hand.

 

[Tomasso]

Lots of sweet sticks in this thread!

 

[Huertecilla]

I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. When I used the word "uncomfortable" I was referring strictly to the feel of the cane's handle in the user's hand. For example, before I got my first proper cane I briefly used a walking stick with a resin skull for a "handle", and after an hour or so the palm of my hand would begin to get sore because of the shape of the skull. These days I use canes with a Derby handle similar to this one, and can use them for several hours with no discomfort to my hand.

I totally got it Zombie, but what Í mean is that I cannot use a cane as walking suppórt for an hour on a good day.
I mean to point out the contradiction between needing to lean on a walking support to be able to walk outside and walking/leaning on it for hours.

You point is undeminished valid, yet... One is not likely to be able to walk for hours, when needing to put a lot of weight on the hand. When one is not, the factor gets less critical.
Worth keeping in mind though as I would like an addition to my trusty to emit a more sturdy feel. It is quite sturdy enough and then some so there must be a confidence thing involved. That must apply to the grip and it´s comfort too.

 

[Huertecilla]

Here is a good piece on functional cane art; http://www.borispalatnik.com/WalkingStickSwordCanes_Guide.htm

One important fact unmentioned is nickel allergy. As this is a contact dermatitis with a threshold, the use of a high nickel handle is something to bear in mind.

 

[Zombie_61]

I totally got it Zombie, but what Í mean is that I cannot use a cane as walking suppórt for an hour on a good day.
I mean to point out the contradiction between needing to lean on a walking support to be able to walk outside and walking/leaning on it for hours.

You point is undeminished valid, yet... One is not likely to be able to walk for hours, when needing to put a lot of weight on the hand. When one is not, the factor gets less critical...

I suppose it all depends on why a person is using a cane. I see a lot of people using them in a rather casual manner, almost carrying them rather than using them as intended, and I can only assume their canes are used for occasional stability. I have back problems, so I use my canes for support; they don't completely alleviate the pain I experience, but on "bad" days they help to delay the increased pain and fatigue levels I would experience without them.

 

[Huertecilla]

Yes, a cane does not sólve anything; just distributes the load over more bearers and as such demishes it on the ailing bits.

That load will thus be on the contact area between hand and cane.
Now we get to a bit of rocket science
The ´thrust´ = pressure x time is what bothers the hand. The more anatomically compatible, the larger the surface, the lower the pressure, the lower etc and the more time you can lean on it.

Meanwhile the weather is improving here so I am inclined to forget about the issue again. Auto-blinkering because of denial that is. I best make a conscious effort and keep shopping.
I read you mention the plural too

 

[TAutry]

I'm thinking about getting one of those Irish Blackthorn walking sticks next.

I have a Blackthorn and it is a dandy walking stick. I don't use it often, but if I think I might need to adjust the attitude of an aggressive dog or human it is my preferred stick. Most often, out in the country I will use a hiking staff I from local bamboo/river cane. It is lightweight, but solid. Keeping it the climate control of the house has let it dry slowly and harden up. I'd have no concern about using it for self defense. Being longer than the Blackthorn, it also lets me poke the tall grass for creepy crawlies from a safer distance.

 

[TAutry]

Canes and Walking Sticks are a topic that could and probably should be a forum or sub-forum. That would open it up for the collectors and users to broaden the discussion. Heck, defensive use of the cane or stick could cover a great many threads. If the Mods are watching, please consider this idea for a future addition to the Lounge.

 

[Zombie_61]

I'd like to own a "traditional" Blackthorn walking stick, but I need something more supportive than the "knob" type handle commonly associated with them so I think one of these might be finding it's way to my house soon.

 

[Huertecilla]

Looks nostalgic Alexander.

As to tall grass and animals in there TAutry, you might want to have a look at the Makila. Those are still made in both Spain and France.
It it THE hiking stick and an ancient relic.

http://www.makhila.com/pub-espagnol/makhila/index.htm

 

[Huertecilla]

Unbelievably Bergera, a traditonal Makila makers family, will sell you one with horn knob, german silver, engraved with your initials and lema of choice for 290 €....

 

[TAutry]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was able to translate the page, but couldn't really see the sticks that well. If you have another link that shows more detail, please post it.

My river cane/bamboo stick isn't pretty, but it does the job. My days of going far afield are most likely behind me, but I wouldn't hesitate to take my bamboo stick with me anywhere.

 

[Huertecilla]

If you have another link that shows more detail, please post it.

http://makilasalberdi.com/index_fr.htm

 

[TAutry]

Thanks! That was very interesting reading.

 

[Huertecilla]

I find the scarring of the live shoot a surprising and fascinating feature.
The method to split the bark is véry trick too and requires a lot of experience.

All in all a slów process, as much a symbol for slow life as it comes.
The prices are all the more surprising.

Yesterday one from 1919 sold on ebay. It had patina that only time can apply but for the rest was as new.

 

[ChiTownScion]

I recently acquired a cane (black with silver chromed ball top) that I like to use when I am dressed up in Chesterfield overcoat and Homburg hat, sans briefcase. My joke is that it's like Guy Caballero's wheelchair on the old SCTV show ("I don't need this. I just use it to gain respect.").

My wife thinks it a bit foppish and "over the top," but I have noticed that using it to pace my walk keeps my posture upright. So perhaps, there is a health benefit in it for me after all.

 

[GHT]

My wife thinks it a bit foppish and "over the top," but I have noticed that using it to pace my walk keeps my posture upright. So perhaps, there is a health benefit in it for me after all.

Now that might present you with a rather difficult problem. You may find, be it public transport or just a public place, like a library, someone, maybe someone much older, sees your beautiful, over the top, walking support cane, and generously offers you their seat.

What are you going to do? Act dumb and take the seat? Reassure the kind stranger that you don't really need this walking stick, it's just a prop?
Oh dear, what a dilemma. It's a bit like being caught taking the weight off your feet by sitting in a vacant wheelchair....and getting caught.

 

[TAutry]

Blackthorn let down. . .

My blackthorn let me down over the weekend. I'm on some medication that makes me a little unsteady on my feet. If I have to walk any distance, I normally use a stick for balance. I had to run sound and video for a wedding this weekend and decided the blackthorn would look best with my coat and tie.

on the way to the chapel, I had to cross a patch of concrete. My foot caught on the edge and I went down. I landed hard on my right side with the Blackthorn under me. I've got a nifty sore spot on my ribs from it, but nothing broken.

While it certainly wasn't the blackthorn's fault, I wish it had broken my fall a little differently!

Seriously, though, I may need to look for another stick for dress up occasions. The knob head of the blackthorn isn't perfect for my hand. Something I can grasp better might be in order.

 

[HudsonHawk]

I remember reading Carlos Castaneda's Journey to Ixtlan when I was a teenager, and in it don Juan says you should never carry anything in your hands while walking, as you can never be fully conscious of your surroundings while holding on to something. I have no idea if that's true or not, but it's always stuck with me.