Brass Cane Tip?

[Classified00]

Howdy,

I'm thinking of ordering a cane from Cane Masters. What are the advantages / disadvantages to getting the brass tip installed?

Thanks!

 

[dondavis3]

If the brass tip has a rubber nub on it, it's great.

If not a rubber tip, the plain brass tips slide badly.

 

[Classified00]

Besides looks, does the brass add any benefit?

 

[dondavis3]

Not that I know of, but they really do look better to me.

 

[Classified00]

Don,

How about Tung Oil, thoughts?

I have a custom street walking cane from them. It's just a basic model, no tung oil or brass. I want to order a triple grip and I'd like to make it nice with tung oil and brass ... if it's worth it.

 

[dondavis3]

Sorry I don't know anything about canes, except that my father used one later in life and I know that he tried several canes with and without brass tips and handles.

I saw and felt the non rubber tipped ones be unstable.

But I personally liked the brass tipped ones the best.

Sorry I wish I could help more.

 

[CWL]

Brass tip keeps the wood from splitting, but it will need a rubber cap over it to prevent slipping. If you need to poke somebody, of course the brass tip will help...

You can probably get away without needing a brass tip if you just put a rubber cap on the end.

 

[Classified00]

Thanks!

 

[hso]

I don't agree that a brass tip will "help" if you have to poke someone. The difference in rigidity is trivial.

OTOH, it may help prevent splitting, but I've been using canes for years and I've never had one split at the tip.

The essential thing is to have a small non-slip tip to keep the thing from being useless as a cane.

 

[Classified00]

Thanks. More good info. When I order, I plan to order the brass tip. If for no other reason than it does look sharp.

 

[Ed Harris]

Cane is more useful in the slash than the thrust.

These links show recommended methods of use:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121582129325447667.html

http://www.bartitsu.org/index.php/2009/05/the-umbrella-a-misunderstood-weapon/

http://www.the-exiles.org/manual/lang/lang.htm

http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0200.htm

http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0400.htm

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/SMCT_CTT_Tasks/Skill_Level_1/1913764121-sl1-use-a-riot.shtml

 

[Clipper]

A brass tip is going to oxidize and require polishing to remain bright. I like stainless for my tips and tops. Requires a lot more work to polish, but is then pretty much maintenance free...

 

[slicers63]

I have a Cane Masters cane that I had to use for over a year as a cane, hip and knee replacement. A brass or metal tip would have been very unstable and would scratch the $%*# out of the floors. I had to replace the rubber tip at least twice on the cane. Also going through securty the tip may cause a second look IMO.

 

[plateshooter]

Thanks for the links Ed, good stuff.

 

[Classified00]

Update:

I went ahead and ordered. The tip is actually copper, not brass (I really should read the words not just look at pictures). The copper tip will be covered by a rubber cane tip.

 

[James T Thomas]

knobkerrie

From your description, the tip prevents splitting.

Not to make you dissatisfied with your new recent purchase, but look for "hame."

-Large brass knob; knobkerrie attached by screws into an ash shaft.
Have you ever seen the Algonquin / Iroquois stone clubs? Similar to them.

If you have a cane, indeed, it is useful for thrusting and slashing, but if it has insufficient "heft" it will not be as effective for striking and stroking as a heavier club or staff piece. The tapered or slender shafts tend to be canes, while the more blunt, larger diameter pieces -staffs.
The hame makes one end of a cane effectively become a staff.

 

[lloveless]

JTT,
What do you mean by "hame" Nothing in the dictionary seems to fit.
lloveless

 

[James T Thomas]

coming soon

Lloveless:

The hame is a metal fitting on horse collars and the brass hames are adaptations of those.

I'm searching for the company where I purchased that cane and will post for you soon.

Sorry for the delay.
Perhaps others here can assist.

Usually found among PA Dutch farm items, that kind of thing.

 

[James T Thomas]

expensive, but good

Lloveless, et.al.:

www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/boisdarc-hame-top-cane/

 

[Mike U.]

I used a metal tip cane one fine day when EPCOT was calling and my back was singing it's song of pain fairly loudly.
Metal tipped canes work well off concrete or hard surfaces. I'll never use one in city walks again as it slips like crazy. I ended up having to take it back to the car and grabbing Ol' Faithful. My hickory cattle cane with rubber tip. It was a much better day after that.

Oh, and I later mounted a rubber tip on it and it was good to go from there. Now, it's the best of both worlds. Rubber tip for hard surface walking. Metal tip for woods walking.

 

[wuluf]

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/whistlecreek_2074_1024200

Cane with hame handle from whistle creek.

 

[James T Thomas]

thank you

Wuluf:

Thanks for that source to review.

Be wary of plated items; hames, etc. Some of it is foreign, and the plating peels in short time.

I like the brass for heft and if you personally like the shine, then Brasso will do the job. Though I don't mind it dull.

 

[Clipper]

I made my first walking stick with a brass top because that's what I had lying around, but since then I use stainless. It's a bear to polish, but is then maintenance-free. It's also heavier and tougher than brass. I also like to use it as a ferule to support a cue ball top.

 

[Clipper]

Sorry, I just saw I already said that...