[Puncha]

Is this guy for real?

http://www.combatcanes.com/Home_Page.html

The maker who posted the above website claims to make combat ready self defense canes while possibly making unfavourable comparisons to Canemasters canes.

Has anyone here ever bought his canes? Should I consider his products?

[hso]

Don't know anything about him and since he doesn't post any pictures and doesn't have a price structure available there's not much that can be said.

[Clipper]

Unfortunately, I just started making canes, and call mine Combat Canes too. I can sorta see a lack of published prices if he's doing as I am by handcrafting canes to order, as there are any number of materials, configurations, finishes and lengths to choose from, not to mention the many hours required to build one. However, if these are stock items instead of one-of-a-kind handmade pieces, that's a different matter.

[hso]

Clipper,

Even if they're made one at a time there are some basic pricing issues any craftsman with a website should put up. Basic item price, basic option prices, that sort of thing.

[wheelgunslinger]

Yeah, part of what drives e-commerce is the impulse purchase and ability to compare price v feature. Leaving pricing off is driving customers away.

You can come up with a price for a basic item and then tack on extra for custom work. People accept that.

HSO is right, of course. If one wants to succeed with specialty crafts, then building a rep through word of mouth sans web presence may be best.

[conwict]

That guy is a windbag. He also says he is taking down his site because he is tired of haggling with CUSTOMERS as opposed to CLIENTS, and you can email him and he'll make you a cane if you really want it.

[unloved]

The overall tone of hostility, coupled with the lack of photographic examples of the product, allows me to be completely comfortable with stating that I'd never buy anything from that guy.

[conwict]

reminds me of an even more ridiculous site, http://www.archure.net

[bikerdoc]

Some food for thought for people with an attitude.

I make 2 or 3 canes a week. As much as I could use the money, I take them to the VA hospital or various churches and gift them. Helps people and makes me feel good. Same with the knives I make. Got a list people to pay back for their kindness and support.

[Puncha]

What about lexan canes?

http://www.clearcanes.com/defence.html

Are they more or less durable than hardwood canes? How are they at absorbing shock from deflecting a blow?

[glistam]

Hmm, there are many types of "riot baton" used by police that are also made of polycarbonate, and they can take serious punishment. The thing is I'm not entirely sure what the chemical composition of the acrylic cane is. It would require some testing.
A clear cane would attract a lot of attention, but at the same time this appearance would not be very suspicious as many people might assume it's make of glass or a weak plastic, and therefore never suspect a weapon.

[conwict]

I think the clear canes look cheap/cheesy. But the "dulo" pocket stick style thing looks quite interesting.

[JShirley]

Lexan can break if you hit stuff really hard with it. The folks I've trained with (and me, too) have broken a lot of training tools.

One bo staff seminar I attended, everyone kept breaking 1 1/4" Purple Heart bos while practicing strikes on 4x4. We eventually all just used the one canvas micarta bo Robin had brought. No problem.

I bought it after the seminar. I sold it when I joined the Army in late 01.

And I really regret it. :(

[Herbager]

I just started an interaction with the owner of the "combat canes" site and after some preliminary questions and my answers he has ceased contact...I am looking for a craftsman who can build a combat cane for my instructor as a mastership gift...if anyone can direct me to someone who is such a person I would appreciate some contact information....I also have an associate who is interested in a bo staff as a mastership gift for her instructor as well. Thanks.

[hso]

Go to a livestock supply (Farmer's CoOp, feed store, etc.) and purchase a hickory stock cane and you and the other students do the work yourself. It isn't difficult and the meaning you all will put into it will be more valuable.

[Charles Davis]

The term Combat cane is really a marketing tool. You call can them a Combat Cane, Hapkido cane, defensive cane etc. Using a cane for self defense is really about getting a sturdy all wood cane and learning how to use it. A Hapkido style crooked cane is an excellent choice. A fire hardened Rattan crooked cane is an excellent material. I swung mine like a bat against an Oak tree and it did not break. Hickory is strong but heavy and probably expensive in a polished cane. , Crocus wood, an Asian hardwood is lighter and can be purchased at a good price. I want to look into the hickory stock canes. They are probably not pretty but sounds like a great deal.
One last world about those carved Combat canes with grips and pointed crooks. They look great and could be useful in a fight. They also might raise an eyebrow with the local police officer. If asked, I would suggest saying that you use your cane for balance and stability. A gray hair or two helps.
see www.defensivecane.cdavisgroup.com for more information on Canes.
Ancient dragon

[Charles Davis]

A footnote
I just ordered one of those live stock type hickory Canes for 9.95 plus 9.95 shipping. the picture looks nice but the crook seems small for a hapkido style cane. Thanks for the tip. I will have more to report later.

[hso]

but the crook seems small for a hapkido style cane

Of course it's small for a hapkido cane, just steam it open or if you're impatient like me cut it just where it curves under.

[DeTerminator]

Hi,

I recently purchased an eNasco elephant octoganal stock cane, 36" long.

A very nice piece of hickory! Very heavy duty.

It was real easy to open up the crook but putting it in a pot of boiling water for maybe 5 minutes. It did it all by itself, no help from me.

I sanded the crook when it dried to make it round with 80 grit sandpaper, then 120, then used 000 steel wool over the whole thing. Then, I used 3 coats of tung oil over a few days. Real nice!

I like my Cane Master cane more, because it is an inch longer. I seem to like a slightly longer cane than the ususal length, (with the crook up to your wrist). I'd probably go for the stock cane if it was longer, because that's a serious whaloping rod! You should maybe try to get a slightly longer cane than you think. You can always cut it down.

Good luck with your cane selection! Also, if you get a stock cane from eNasco, you need to supply your own rubber tips...

~Kerry