How Many are Now Carrying a Cane?

[Owen Sparks]

You don't have to justify it.

I am reasonably young but if I have to go into the city or make a late night trip to WallMart I carry my cane. You can keep it in your car all the time and only cary it when you go into potentialy dangerous places.

BTY my cat is named Poncy.

[Deltaboy]

Originally Posted by Ale Golem

I'm still in my twenties so I don't have need for a cane yet but, as my significant other can attest, I'm looking forward to being old enough to justify one without looking like a poncy fop.

With all the Wounded warriors coming back with lower leg injuries from IEDS only rude people will have any issue with you using one.

[Carl Levitian]

"I'm still in my twenties so I don't have need for a cane yet but, as my significant other can attest, I'm looking forward to being old enough to justify one without looking like a poncy fop."

Have you ever played high school or college or any sports at all? Many people mess up a knee early on and are bothered by it for years. People on the street can't tell you don't have an injury. Also, over the past couple of years down at the VA hospital that I'm an outpatient at, I'be been seeing younger and younger guys with canes, and even prothetic legs. I swear this one kid looked like he should have been still in high school and he was missing one leg and an arm.

Things happen. That's the main point. You may need a cane for a inner ear balance problem, may have pulled a tendon in that weekend rugby game, or whatever. The main thing is, if you want to carry a cane/walking stick, go ahead and do it. Under the Americans With Disabilities act not only is it non of their business why you have a cane, they can't even ask you why you have it. That goes for TSA, Federal building security, local yokel sheriffs deputes that are legends in their own minds.

Carry it with pride.

Carl.

[Nematocyst]

Here's a question for the legal eagles.

What is the legal length of a "cane"?

That is, how long does a stick need to be to be considered a 'cane' and thus legal?

I understand that there are practical consequences for a short cane.
A 6' guy trying to support walking with a 28" stick wouldn't work well.

But work with me here. Is a legal length specified?

[TomADC]

I'm 70 and until the doctor says use a cane I think I'll pass.

[Deltaboy]

I have seen no mention of a set lenght in any code I have read. But common sense is it should be long enough for you to use in accordance with what is common use for a cane. Mine are all 34-36 inchs so I would note carry one that was too short like a military swagger stick.

[Deltaboy]

Originally Posted by TomADC

I'm 70 and until the doctor says use a cane I think I'll pass.

Your Blessed and Enjoy every day you can walk with out a cane because there are 1000's of us who can not.

[TomADC]

Deltaboy, thanks and you are right. Hands are getting bad especially the right, have a knuckle or two that give me a lot of trouble but so far the legs are fine.

[Deltaboy]

Prayers for your hands, I broke both of mine fighting as a young man and some days mine hurt so bad I can not pickup a cup of coffee.

[TomADC]

Thanks, I just reread my post above should have said "until" not under.

[Deltaboy]

LOL nothing to worrie about typos we all do them.

[Deltaboy]

Originally Posted by Deltaboy

Finally got a photo made !

I got lots of compliments on my saw cane the past months.

[Owen Sparks]

That is, how long does a stick need to be to be considered a 'cane' and thus legal?

That question has probably never been addressed by the law but common sense would dictate that it should be long enough to reach the floor when used in a normal manner.

Being average height of just under 6 feet, I prefer an arm length stick around 28" but require a walking stick of about 36". I have found that if I choke up on the grip of my walking cane the extra 8" does not bother me at all. The trick is to use a minimum sized ball or knob for a handle so that it does not get in the way when you swing. A traditional crook will interfere with your forearm during redondos.

[Cocked & Locked]

A traditional crook will interfere with your forearm during redondos.

Yes, but that traditional crook sure does come in handy for hanging the cane on my arm while doing buffet lines.

[Owen Sparks]

I have found that I can put the ball handle into my armpit and clamp down on it a little and it will stay put and hang straight down by my side. This keeps it out of the way and allow me to use both hands.

[Carl Levitian]

All my canes are either root ball handles or a angled root handle. I put a short lanyard loop the goes over my wrist when I'm doing the buffets, or paying for something at the store register. The stick just dangles until I'm done and leaving.

[Owen Sparks]

I never thought about a lanyard before. I really don't like the idea of my stick being tied to my hand in case someone grabs it. Most police departments have done away with lanyards for this reason. Then again, a small loop to hang it by might be a good idea, especially if it is made of something like string that is light enough that it will break before you get dragged through the street by it.

[HiWayMan]

I really don't like the idea of my stick being tied to my hand in case someone grabs it. Most police departments have done away with lanyards for this reason.

This is not really a problem if you know the proper way to retain a baton with a lanyard. The loop does not go over the wrist ever. The proper way is to place the loop over the thumb, and then take the lanyard over the back of the hand towards the little finger side, then across the palm while grasping the baton. This is if the lanyard attaches above the handle portion. if it attaches at the end of the baton the procedure is largely the same with the loop starting over the little finger and passing up and over the web of the hand. In the event that the baton is grabbed and pulled, you simply open your hand and straighten the fingers and thumb, allowing the lanyard to slide off your hand.

All that being said, I realize many of you already knew that, but perhaps some did not.

[Owen Sparks]

I knew the proper method but having a cane dangling from your thumb defeats the purpose of freeing both hands at the buffet line. Putting your wrist through a light string might be an option rather than the traditional crook.

[Deltaboy]

Last week I got in one of those lines a nice teen worker came over and took my tray for me and I am only 46. Address me as Sir and showed great manners since I have very few grays hairs I assume the kid is military brat and she thought I was a Vet since I keep a flat top or high n tight hair cut.

[Cocked & Locked]

To a teenager a 46 year old is a dinosaur. She (I'm guessing) felt sorry for you.

I know. I was you 22 years ago and to teenagers I'm a dinosaur zombie

[Deltaboy]

Thanks it was just the first time it had ever happened to me.

[Fred Fuller]

There's no min/max length I know of re. walking canes. Showing up someplace inappropriate with a full length hiking staff could well cause issues/questions, but I've never had anyone question me about a plain wood crook-top cane with a rubber tip, anywhere I've ever carried one.

Of course a walking stick needs to be properly fitted to the user, and the proper length will vary according to how tall the user is. The proper length is from the floor to the first crease inside the wrist, with the user wearing normal shoes, and allowing for the thickness of the rubber tip as well. For me that works out to about 38", which is a pain because the inexpensive stock canes I like usually come in at 35-36". So I have to look for longer canes, shepherd's crooks etc and cut them to fit.

[longstandingletdown]

I carry a cane because it makes it easier for me to get around without falling and breaking a knee.

I carry a cane with a heavy brass head because it will eliminate a threat with 1-2 blows.

[TomADC]

Deltaboy look on the bright side at my age you are a youngster!