How Many are Now Carrying a Cane?

Do you carry a walking cane?


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I'm only 27, but I blew out my knee a year ago. I tore my meniscus, MCL and ACL. I carried a cane for a few months (after graduating from a wheelchair and crutches) and thought of it as a good defensive tool. I always carried an assisted opening knife, but did not yet have my CCW permit.

Now that I have my CCW permit, I always carry a handgun and I feel that my cane would just slow my draw. If I tweak my knee, which still happens from time to time, I will use the cane for a few days. If I have to have it, I make it a part of my SD plan.

I'm amazed by how many people assume, due to my limp and my age, that I am an Iraq or Afghanistan vet. Especially when I had the cane, people would hold the door and make comments like, "Thanks for your service". It's kind of embarrassing to tell them I'm not a vet... The real story isn't nearly that interesting.
Congrads for being honest. Too many guys in your shoes would just lie and try to get every thing they could out of their injury.
 
I have a 4 ft walking stick I am just finishing, with a hidden feature. Not sure if it belongs in this thread through.
 
TSA Problem

Friends,
A TSA Supervisor in Phoenix inspected my heavy telescoping cane.
She said, "It looks like a club! Take it downstairs and put it in your luggage."

I was quite polite and did not question her authority.
I said to her, "I need the cane to walk through the airport to my gate here, and when I transfer at the next airport."

She let me through with the cane, but she was unhappy.

I thought it was a close call.
She could as well have called for a wheelchair and taken my cane.

Since then I carry a light weight, telescoping walking stick.
Life seems too short to get on a TSA problem list.
MQP
 

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She came dangerously close to losing her job just by saying that. I've seen termination and lawsuits for less.

Had she pressed it, I think it would have taken one supervisor's intervention and she'd be eating crow on the spot.

What type of "heavy" stick did you have? I've not seen a telescoping model so far that felt sturdy enough.
 
I have what to most looks like a bamboo stick. Slightly curved, no seams or any visible breaks in the Bamboo. It is actually a well made Katana. I think if I put a rubber foot on the bottom and used it was a walking stick I would get away with it until a savy police person saw it and wondered why I walked so well and was using a stick.
 
[quote-Friends,
A TSA Supervisor in Phoenix inspected my heavy telescoping cane.
She said, "It looks like a club! Take it downstairs and put it in your luggage."

I was quite polite and did not question her authority.
I said to her, "I need the cane to walk through the airport to my gate here, and when I transfer at the next airport."

She let me through with the cane, but she was unhappy.

I thought it was a close call.
She could as well have called for a wheelchair and taken my cane.

Since then I carry a light weight, telescoping walking stick.
Life seems too short to get on a TSA problem list.
MQP]

Do not let them get away with that kind of behavior. Self important members of the TSA or anyone, need to be put in their place and receive a good education in the Americans With Disabilities Act. If need be, a really good contribution to your retirement fund may coming you way. When we let them give us grief over something that there is no law against, we may as well roll over. Carry whatever cane you want, it's not up to her who thinks it may look like a club. I go through security with a stout knarly Irish blackthorn stick that is a club. They still can't stop me. I've been questioned, but I tell them it's a cane, and under the AWDA it's my right to pass. They back right off. They need to have their bluff called right there and then, in front of all the witnesses in line.

Carl.
 
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What type of "heavy" stick did you have? I've not seen a telescoping model so far that felt sturdy enough.

Glistam, my stick is a "Gitzo G1568," an older version of "Gitzo GM5541 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod."
The adjusting mechanism gets stronger with force.
See at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569172-REG/Gitzo_GM5541_GM5541_6X_Carbon_Fiber.html

I had the head turned from a piece of Cocobolo.
It screws into the top of the monopod.

I adjust the Gitzo from cane height to stick height, depending on the support I need, and collapse it to fit into my brief case while sitting.

It is sturdy and reliable, which is more than I can say for my knees.
MQP
 

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Friends,
You are correct that I could have pushed back with both TSA rules regarding carry on of medical devices and ADA compliance.
Just in case, I carry copies of the TSA and ADA rules in my brief case.

Instead, I chose to explain to her the possible consequences to me from having my stick taken away by her.
She listened and agreed.

I also have possible consequences if I push back.
The plane might leave before we have the issue sorted out, and I would miss an appointment.
People might need to defend their misconduct, generally a bad situation.

I posted not to complain about the TSA, but to describe what happened and my adaptation to that situation.

Words to live by: Improvise, adapt and overcome.
MQP
 
I bought a 36" Monadonoc riot baton, removed the lanyard and put a rubber chair leg thing on each end and made a "walking cane". This is a very serious weapon (provided you know how to use it) that can be carried virtually anywhere by anyone.
 
I have what to most looks like a bamboo stick. Slightly curved, no seams or any visible breaks in the Bamboo. It is actually a well made Katana. I think if I put a rubber foot on the bottom and used it was a walking stick I would get away with it until a savy police person saw it and wondered why I walked so well and was using a stick.
The LEO is also banned from bothering you once you tell him you need it to walk per the ADA if he presses the issue his Dept will be paying for your next vacation and he will be unemployed.
 
Hello, I am new here, and a big fan of sticks (or Canes) as weapons. I have a nice piece of Desert Ironwood, about 30 inches long. I heat treated it with motor oil, and a charcoal fire. No splits, and it is still so heavy that it sinks in water. I actually came up with a few exercises that I do with that stick. Practical exercises to build muscle memory. Nice and long winded! I came here because you popped up on a google search for walking sticks or canes.
 
Welcome, regularjoe, and I'll bet this was one of the most comprehensive links you hit on. Some very knowledgeable people here.

That's an interesting technique that you described.
 
I think if I put a rubber foot on the bottom and used it was a walking stick I would get away with it until a savy police person saw it and wondered why I walked so well and was using a stick.

Then you'd be going to jail. Also, ADA won't cover you if your bluff get's called in a case like this.

Forget foolishness like knife/sword canes and learn to use the impact weapon the cane provides to you.
 
First of all, walking canes are LEGAL everywhere. No law says you have to limp. That being said, I can think of at least half a dozen reasons you could be carrying a cane and still walk just fine.

You might have inner ear trouble and suffer from periodic dizzy spells and need the cane for balance. (I had that once many years ago and you don't know which way is up, it sucks!)

You might have a bad back from a wreck and periodicly need something to lean on.

It is your uncles Christmas present and you just bought it.

You could suffer from back spasms that come and go. (I have had back spasms twice.) When they hit you had better have something to lean on or you will be in the floor.

It might belong to your grandfather and you are returning from where ever he forgot and left it.

You plan on doing a lot of walking today but your bad knee has been acting up and you brought your cane in case you need it.

You could suffer from gout and feel an attack coming on.
 
I walk normally most of the time, but limp when I get tired due to the various injuries over the years. I tell TSA folks that I don't need a cane to hold me up, I need it to keep me from falling down at times. I don't have to need it all the time to need it.

TSA has never questioned anything that looks like a cane that I've carried. Now I carry my cane umbrella so I don't have to have both.
 
Canes are great

As a Nurse Practitioner as well as a Martial Arts practitioner/instructor I am happy to see so many people advocating the cane! As many have already noted, there are differences in laws and perceptions of what is 'legal'- that said, a true walking cane is legal to carry everywhere including airplanes while clubs, batons, escrima sticks, and even short sticks like 'don-bong' sticks are illegal to carry in many jurisdictions. In fact straight walking sticks have been questioned by law enforcement although many people prefer to carry them.

Many people think of using one simply as a long impact weapon for striking or poking, but they are wonderful tools to use for joint manipulation/locks/and strangulation or what law enforcement likes to call "vascular restraint". There is hardly anything better for keeping a viscious dog at bay. I highly encourage anyone to look into getting some actual cane training to enhance the uses. Most Hapkido instructors, or Cane Masters can help out.

I keep oak canes in my vehicles, by the front and back doors, and carry one frequently. For hiking I have a 5 footer as the crook comes in handy for grabbing things occasionally- it also is a quick shooting stabilizer. Here in Alaska it also is nice to have an 'ice-gripper' on the tip (that folds up) during the icy months.

Happy training!
 
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