Bobson
Member
This is a review of a cane made by USAF_Vet. I’ll let him chime in with the build process as he chooses to do so, but I think he’s written about it briefly in the “Who is now carrying a cane?” thread. Before I go any further, I should say I have very limited experience with canes, so this isn’t an expert review by any means. USAF_Vet (I’ll refer to him Ben from here on) and I started discussing his canes on March 6th, and a week later, I had sent him my measurements and he had agreed to send me a cane, which I would ultimately review for THR. Like I said, my prior experience with canes was severely limited at that point, and I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for, but we talked a bit and were able to come up with something that’s working really well.
I’m 28 years old and in decent shape, and I had never really given consideration to getting or using a cane until I spent quite a bit of time on THR (more specifically, the “How many are now carrying a cane?” thread). After talking with Ben, I decided I would use the cane more as a walking-stick kind of thing rather than something to actually lean on while I walk. I also wanted something that would work as a self-defense tool if needed, and that was really the primary purpose for my considering a cane. I spend a ton of time on college campuses, and will be spending a lot more time there in the near future, as I plan to start law school next year. So a cane really fit the bill. Okay, moving on to details.
The cane is made from high-density polymer. The cane I received is about 2.5 lbs (though weight will obviously vary depending upon the length of the cane). As with most things, what I thought I wanted originally, and what I’ve learned that I want after some experience, has changed a bit. The 2.5 lb cane is closer to what I now realize I want, than what I thought I wanted originally.
At any rate, the cane is extremely sturdy and seems like it would be exceptionally difficult to break during normal use. I’ve tried out two other canes in the last few weeks to compare a bit (my BIL has injured a knee), and both of them felt like really flimsy compared to the cane Ben made for me. Neither seemed like it would make even a half-decent self-defense weapon, whereas the cane Ben sent me seems like it would better fill that role than the role of a cane itself.
This cane is ~37.25 inches long from the base to the top of the handle. It was cut to size for my own measurements though (which Ben will collect from anyone interested), so not all canes will be that length. You can, however, use that measurement as an indication of the proportions of the cane in the pictures, if you like. The circumference of the cane’s shaft is between 5.5 and 6.5 inches; the variation is due to the many twists and spirals visible in the shaft, which is what gives this cane much of its strength, according to Ben.
As tested, the cane isn’t perfect. The most serious problem that I found was with the base (or “tip,” assuming that’s the correct name for the part of the cane that makes contact with the ground). The cane I received is 100% high-density polymer – there is no attached tip that aids in gripping slippery surfaces. As a result, my cane had a tendency to slip or slide on some floors (especially ceramic and other types of tile, hardwood, or linoleum). Ben is well-aware of this issue and is working on a remedy to be applied to all his future canes. As an alternative, there are various tips an individual can buy online for a low price, and attach one to the base of the cane using nothing more than a drill and some caulking. There were other minor suggestions I sent to Ben with my review, which he’s taking into consideration.
That’s about it as far as the cane itself. In a few weeks of testing, I wasn’t able to damage the cane in any way. I gave my two teenage brothers-in-law opportunities to use the cane – roughly – and the cane is no worse for the wear. I conducted limited striking tests with the cane to determine the level of abuse it can withstand, and was unable to damage it in any way whatsoever. The striking tests included attacking the base of a tree while holding the cane by the base (similar to swinging a baseball bat), and gripping the cane by the shaft and handle while “spearing” the base of the cane into the tree.
At first, I was a bit uncomfortable walking around with a cane, especially a behemoth like this one, but between walking around with it at school and shops, grocery stores, and a few restaurants, only one person ever commented on it. Most people didn’t give me more than a single look. The one guy who did comment was a Cabela’s employee who mentioned that it looked like it would make a good self-defense tool if I was able to use it as one.
Hope this review does this cane some justice. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to answer them. I’m sure Ben will be commenting soon too. Thanks to USAF_Vet for giving me the opportunity to test (and keep) this early cane. I expect to be using it for a long time.
I’m 28 years old and in decent shape, and I had never really given consideration to getting or using a cane until I spent quite a bit of time on THR (more specifically, the “How many are now carrying a cane?” thread). After talking with Ben, I decided I would use the cane more as a walking-stick kind of thing rather than something to actually lean on while I walk. I also wanted something that would work as a self-defense tool if needed, and that was really the primary purpose for my considering a cane. I spend a ton of time on college campuses, and will be spending a lot more time there in the near future, as I plan to start law school next year. So a cane really fit the bill. Okay, moving on to details.
The cane is made from high-density polymer. The cane I received is about 2.5 lbs (though weight will obviously vary depending upon the length of the cane). As with most things, what I thought I wanted originally, and what I’ve learned that I want after some experience, has changed a bit. The 2.5 lb cane is closer to what I now realize I want, than what I thought I wanted originally.
At any rate, the cane is extremely sturdy and seems like it would be exceptionally difficult to break during normal use. I’ve tried out two other canes in the last few weeks to compare a bit (my BIL has injured a knee), and both of them felt like really flimsy compared to the cane Ben made for me. Neither seemed like it would make even a half-decent self-defense weapon, whereas the cane Ben sent me seems like it would better fill that role than the role of a cane itself. This cane is ~37.25 inches long from the base to the top of the handle. It was cut to size for my own measurements though (which Ben will collect from anyone interested), so not all canes will be that length. You can, however, use that measurement as an indication of the proportions of the cane in the pictures, if you like. The circumference of the cane’s shaft is between 5.5 and 6.5 inches; the variation is due to the many twists and spirals visible in the shaft, which is what gives this cane much of its strength, according to Ben.
As tested, the cane isn’t perfect. The most serious problem that I found was with the base (or “tip,” assuming that’s the correct name for the part of the cane that makes contact with the ground). The cane I received is 100% high-density polymer – there is no attached tip that aids in gripping slippery surfaces. As a result, my cane had a tendency to slip or slide on some floors (especially ceramic and other types of tile, hardwood, or linoleum). Ben is well-aware of this issue and is working on a remedy to be applied to all his future canes. As an alternative, there are various tips an individual can buy online for a low price, and attach one to the base of the cane using nothing more than a drill and some caulking. There were other minor suggestions I sent to Ben with my review, which he’s taking into consideration.
That’s about it as far as the cane itself. In a few weeks of testing, I wasn’t able to damage the cane in any way. I gave my two teenage brothers-in-law opportunities to use the cane – roughly – and the cane is no worse for the wear. I conducted limited striking tests with the cane to determine the level of abuse it can withstand, and was unable to damage it in any way whatsoever. The striking tests included attacking the base of a tree while holding the cane by the base (similar to swinging a baseball bat), and gripping the cane by the shaft and handle while “spearing” the base of the cane into the tree.
At first, I was a bit uncomfortable walking around with a cane, especially a behemoth like this one, but between walking around with it at school and shops, grocery stores, and a few restaurants, only one person ever commented on it. Most people didn’t give me more than a single look. The one guy who did comment was a Cabela’s employee who mentioned that it looked like it would make a good self-defense tool if I was able to use it as one.
Hope this review does this cane some justice. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to answer them. I’m sure Ben will be commenting soon too. Thanks to USAF_Vet for giving me the opportunity to test (and keep) this early cane. I expect to be using it for a long time.
