How Many are Now Carrying a Cane?

Do you carry a walking cane?

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I've been using a cane for about a month now due to a herniated disk and a bulged disk in my lower back. I haven't considered using it as a part of my "everyday carry" set-up since I haven't left the house much and when I do, I carry my pistol.

In general, though, I have noticed that a cane is a very useful thing to have at hand, so I might consider getting one for everyday use once I'm back on my feet. It would have to be something a little classier than the plastic and aluminum abomination I'm currently using, though.
 
I always have mine in the front seat of my truck and only carry it in hand for potentially dangerous situations like when I go into the convienience store late at night or when I have to go into the city.

BTW, there is no such thing as "too young" to legally carry a cane. You could have a sports injury from Jr. high school.
 
"I've been using a cane for about a month now due to a herniated disk and a bulged disk in my lower back. I haven't considered using it as a part of my "everyday carry" set-up since I haven't left the house much and when I do, I carry my pistol.

In general, though, I have noticed that a cane is a very useful thing to have at hand, so I might consider getting one for everyday use once I'm back on my feet. It would have to be something a little classier than the plastic and aluminum abomination I'm currently using, though."


You may as well carry it from now on, you're passed the initial phase. Once people see you a couple of times with it, it becomes part of your persona and people don't even think about it anymore. Like when I first came home from the service with a cane. Some of my buds asked whats with the cane? I told them how my right foot and ankle got messed up and that was that. From then on, nobody ever made mention of it again. People just were used to seeing me with it, and even when I got well enough to do without it for periods of time, it was just too good a weapon to leave home in an uncertain world,

Carl.
 
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There is no reason not to keep your cane in your vehicle at all times. If you feel like you might need it when you go in some place it will be with you.
 
My homemade primary cane is always with me, I carry an extra one in the truck, Not for back up but to give away if I run into someone with a soulless aluminiun one.
 
I too have my "car cane" next to me in the front seat at all times. The only comments I have had were how nice the wood looked, or the interesting grain. I like the idea of a giveaway. One does see a lot of soulless aluminum out there.
 
I have two canes from "cane masters", one oak and one hickory (as well as some others I made). One is a car cane, in case I need it. The other is just used for more formal occasions. Even though I've had a compound fracture of the tibula and fibula on my left leg, as well as a fractured hip, I think I've only been asked "why do you need that?" once. The A.D.A. is definitely on our side there.

My next cane is for a Victorian wedding and possibly steampunk stuff. I was thinking some sort of brass head, though I prefer defensive canes to be without metal. This is more for a special occasion though, not an everyday carry cane.
 
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Recently I tried a little experiment with my collapsible aluminum camera monopod. Filled the thinnest section with a solid steel rod and JB Weld to add some extra mass. Anyone know of a manufacturer than makes cane handles or knobs that screw onto a standard camera mount?
 
Go to a hardware store and fish around or a antique store.

I keep my extra cane on the hatch lid. I bought 2 broom holders and screwed them in to the hatch lid and it holds my cane great.
 
Your cane needs to be in the front seat at all times. If you leave it locked in the trunk it might as well be at home because you can't get to it in an emergency and the only time you need a weapon you need it in a hurry.
 
As for those who worry about "Age" just use it for style, for example, I ruptured two disks in my back at age 28 by lifting a old fashioned Sony CRT TV. (lift with your legs, not your back) and I have one in my car (never know when my back will act up.) and they can be useful as while you don't want to bring a cane to a gunfight, a cane to a knife fight or fist fight can be useful.

Though I will be buying a new cane, so if anyone has a recommendation...
 
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A cane in your hand is faster than a gun in a holster or pocket. As long as you can get within a few yards of the bad guy you can beat him (literaly) with a cane if he attempts to draw from concealment. The key is to be aware and watch his hands.
 
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Get a Blackthorn cane, the Irish shilleleagh. Don't get the plastic one that's made by a knife company. It doesn't feel right and is too heavy. Look online to find one.
Unkei
 
Drgong,

I have a few canes that I have managed to collect over the past few years. I'm not terribly old (54), but needed the help of a cane due to severe arthritis in both hips. I have had both hips replaced in the past 8 months, but still use a cane some of the time.

I found that you can choose a crook cane, or a straighter one, like the shillelagh as mentioned by Unkei. The crook cane has the very handy hook at the end, which is very useful for everyday activities. Some people would say that it looks look an "old timer" or "cripple" cane. OK, maybe, but just like the idea of just having a cane when you're not very old, who cares. That can come in handy sometimes, like, people opening the door for you, etc. That being said, I have an authentic Irish Shillelagh and a BubbaStik, both of the straight design. If you do go with the Shillelagh, make sure that you're OK with the angle of the knobby end. Mine is bent at about a 30 degree angle, and that makes it somewhat uncomfortable to my palm if I have to push down on it for extended periods. Since I get along pretty good now without actually needing to push down much, it's OK. I used it yesterday for one of my walks, and I think that I will again today. The BubbaStik is a real showpiece, with the shiny chrome plated hame (think horse saddle knobber) and pointed ferrule at the tip (hidden by a rubber tip). People always comment on it whenever the see it. It does well as far as comfort for walking extended periods. However, my favorite walking cane and overall cane is my Canemaster Cane. Is is the perfect length for me, is made from hickory heart, has the crook handle, and fairly light weight for walking purposes. One other cane that you might be interested in is the elephant cane from enasco.com. Very affordable, and very heavy duty crook cane. I have one that I opened the crook up by sticking it in boiling hot water for about 10 minutes, then sanded and applied tung oil. Then lastly there is the cane from Purpleheart Armory (bartitsu.org) It is another very heavy duty crook cane. I like the extra length (39 inches) and weight. Another affordable cane that comes ready to go, no finishing work necessary.

So, there are a few choices. Some like to make their own from saplings. Maybe you'll end up with a few, like I did. Another thing to consider is the total length. I found that I liked mine a little longer than some. The standard seems to be 36 inches, as far as crook canes, anyway. Some say to measure from the bend in your wrist when wearing the shoes you'll likely wear a lot, to the top of the cane. Other say about half of your height. I am six feet tall, and like mine about 38 inches or so.

Good luck with your search, and welcome to the club! (oops, no pun intended)

Kerry
 
I went to support the Wounded Warriors on their Ride to Recover ride from SA Tx to Arlington TX last week. Sat they stopped by a town close by and we feed them breakfasts coffee, water, and sports drinks. Meet several young soldiers and many had injuries that broke my heart. I got lots of Cool and can I get a picture of that Saw Cane I going to get one made or make for a friend. I feel and Pray for these young people in their 20's cause I know the hurt they will be feeling when they are 46 like I am.
 
I have 3 Cold Steel canes and an African Walking stick as well as a couple
shaped oak regular canes. 5 years ago I slipped on something walking
downhill in the woods and tore my MCL. Docs wanted to do surgery and
I may yet have to have it but I opted for physical therapy and a cane. Most
days, I don't need the cane but now and then it'll act up out of the blue,
no rhyme or reason for it, and really hurt.
I got interested in cane fighting & Irish shillelagh defense techniques.
As a 40+ year LEO veteran, I've trained on a number of different Night
Sticks and battons and found a lot of the techniques I already knew fell
right in with using cane as a less than lethal force defensive weapon.
In 3 years, I'll be 66 and will have a full 30 with my last department. I'll be
turning in my badge, but keeping my guns and knowledge of self defense.
Part of that will my my canes. They work and work well.
Dano
 
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.
 
I twisted my knee about a month ago and I'm wearing a knee brace and carrying a cane at times. Not used to the cane just yet, but it certainly helps when one of your knees hurts.

My first attempt at a "cane" was a neat oak short walking stick. Tried it out and realized that it was pretty much useles except as a walking stick. It might make an okay wading staff however when I fish big streams.
 
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