Cane-Fu canes as a weapon

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craftsman

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I'm old, and after a heart-attack last year I need, at times, to use a cane. I've looked into geting certified in the Cane Fighting Martial Arts - but over $100 for a "fighting cane"? Seriously? Plus I have to pay to fly out and back and pay for hotel, etc. the nearest "certified" Sensei? Sorry ... I think not. LOL

I have a sword cane for that price from Cold Steel (longest blade I've seen for the price: http://www.coldsteelarizona.com/p/1/heavy-duty-sword-cane ), a Stockman's cane http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e07b03-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5 I got mine for $8 +S&H, but I lost that link. I also have an exercise cane - Indonesian hardwood, not oak, but $24 not $100 - same grips as the Cane-Fu cane - but mine is 38 in. long with a 1 in. diameter (special order).
 
In most states the CS sword cane amounts to a novelty since it can't be legally carried.

A search through NFW will find a wealth of discussion on using canes as defensive tools. I've customized hickory livestock canes for a few people and they're a great bargain IF you can look through them to find the ones with good grain and structure. I find that you have to open up the crook a bit and a contractor saw puts a very nice "tooth" on the crook when you cut it at the right angle.
 
As a retired martial arts sensei the cane was one of the many weapons I trained with. Now I must use a cane when I venture out of the house. A livestock cane cut to your length works great; I have several that I use. They are made of oak, are very strong and sturdy. The hook doesn't need to be opened nor does the terminus need to be re-cut. You can do these things, of course, but it's wasted time. The hook will go around most necks and if a neck is too large for the hook to encircle, it puts the sharp edge in position for inflicting pain and for throwing.

Forget the colorful swinging figure "8s" on videos and in books; learn to deftly attack pressure points and do locks and throws with it.
 
Found the source: (S&H additional )

$8.95 36" stockman cane, 7/8" octagonal (That'll leave a mark! LOL)
$12.95 36" "elephant" cane 1-1/8 " octagonal

Straight sticks: 54" octagonal $7.85; 66" $10.05

eNasco.com/farmandranch
 
If you actually need a cane to walk at times, you may want to rethink using it as a weapon, and concentrate on practicing fighting one-handed while using the cane for support.
 
I have a sword cane for that price from Cold Steel (longest blade I've seen for the price: http://www.coldsteelarizona.com/p/1/...uty-sword-cane ),
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I've got one also, but since they are illegal to carry in (almost?) every state its more of a collector's item than a serious self defence tool.

a Stockman's cane http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...2-00b0d0204ae5 I got mine for $8 +S&H, but I lost that link. I also have an exercise cane - Indonesian hardwood, not oak, but $24 not $100 - same grips as the Cane-Fu cane - but mine is 38 in. long with a 1 in. diameter (special order).
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Sounds like you are all set then. Those expensive "fighting canes" are a rip off IMO, or at least marketed for people willing to pay a big premium for an "official" cane. As far as training goes, there are a number of books and DVDs on cane techniques available from both Cane Master and other instructors (check Amazon.com). The cane is also a traditional weapon taught in some Korean martial arts (Hapkido IIRC?) so you might want to look around locally and see if you can find some instruction closer to home.
 
3 years in martial arts (not really much compared to some others) but I did use a can and had to be able to use one proficently before I was allowed to train with the hook swords.
A downward strike with a slicing motion (this is with the old wooden grandpa canes) will DESTROY someones shoulder, the initial impact will most likely break/fracture the shoulder and the pull will dig the point into the very tender muscle on the back of the shoulder (thats a pressure point by the way) even with a foam training weapon you will still loose feeling in your arm for the rest of the day. Dont want the full crook, then something with a verticle handle would work. (smacking someone in the neck with something hard even with a rounded tip will cause the body to spasm/clench up) I'd rather be punched in the face by a professional boxer then punched in the neck by a 120lb high school student who knows where to aim.
Also note the side of the wrist (behind the thumb) is a very sensitive/delicate area. A hard blow will cause the hand to loose feeling and most of the grip strength. (think of one of thoes shock gag flashlights but x20)
 
Hey it's a piece of wood with a hooked in. There's no reason that wouldn't be a useful ad hoc weapon. I know a fellow who's done some "Baritsu" revival courses and he's shown me a few nifty tricks an old man can perform. It's no .357 magnum but it could help someone escape a bad situation. Training is almost always worth it. Even if it's bad training, it still shows you what not to do.
 
If you actually need a cane to walk at times, you may want to rethink using it as a weapon, and concentrate on practicing fighting one-handed while using the cane for support.
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Possibly, but the cane can be such a great defensive tool that unless you're dependent upon it holding you up all the time training with a cane is very valuable.

The elephants look great as do the extra heavy canes.
 
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If you are that bad off?

Get an aluminum folding Walker, and a hickory bent cane!!

Even an old man can knock somebody's dauber off with no training, if he can still lift it.

PS: Check your local antique malls and stores.
Usually a 10 gal crock full of old & very high quality oak & hickory bent canes setting around for not much more then the price of a Big Mac & a Coke.

rc
 
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Interesting timing. Just watched an old flick "the trial of billy jack". In one scene he is shown using a cane against a master of its use and of course puts the master down. But remember, it's only a movie.
 
I like the "antique store" cane suggestion, thanks.

Actually, with my web research on Canes as Martial Arts weapons, a lot of the cane work is very similar to my Sjambok work -
The Ancient Art of the Sjambok
http://www.cafepress.com/meijin3.651778457

My first cane was bought in Virginia at "The Old Country" Busch Gardens - "England". Its a three piece (which I've crazy glued together since then). It came painted with black gloss enamel - stripped that off to show a wonderful oak shaft which I refinished to a high gloss clear finish - has a heavy brass "duck" head handle ... which can easily take out a windshield or headlight, break a shin bone, crush a skull - >shudder< or other nasty stuff that I would never even consider! That stick was only $25. But in a life-or-death situation, I can break a gun toting wrist in a nano-second.
 
Cosmoline said:
Hey it's a piece of wood with a hooked in. There's no reason that wouldn't be a useful ad hoc weapon. I know a fellow who's done some "Baritsu" revival courses and he's shown me a few nifty tricks an old man can perform. It's no .357 magnum but it could help someone escape a bad situation. Training is almost always worth it. Even if it's bad training, it still shows you what not to do.
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I found and old Barkisu manual online and I been reading it interesting information. Stock canes and other work great.
 
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