Hi CJ_74. Not personally handled sticks from that seller (Purpleheart Armory) but some fellows I know swear by their wooden swords (HEMA fighters). Price seems pretty reasonable, but I'd shop around too. I feel like I have seen slightly better deals on similar sticks, but I'm not certain where.
Personally I like to make my own and half the fun is hunting for that one that is just right. The popular "fighter" woods are Osage Orange, Oak, American Hornbeam, Hickory and Black Walnut.
Regarding carrying a staff as opposed to a cane, that's an interesting topic. Much of that is a matter of taste and practicality. On the "pro" side, I work in a hospital where all manner of patients use walking aids, and I see a fair number with actual wooden staves (4-5.5 feet) to get around, both young and old. They tell me they find it empowering to have a nice-looking, unique stick to lean on. Another story is my old aikido sensei, who used to walk around Washington DC with a mahogany-colored oak jō. To paint that picture, he was a 5'1" bald fellow, with his two young kids and a chocolate lab. When he'd stop at a crosswalk, he'd hold it horizontally and his kids would grab onto it, his dog would lay down. He never had anyone give him trouble for having his stick. Now on the other hand, I also used to walk with a 5 ft staff when I lived in rural western Maryland. Since I walked everywhere, it worked. But when I moved to downtown Baltimore, I found the length too cumbersome. It was hard to maneuver on buses and subways, and when I sat down at places, it was hard to find a place to put the stick. I eventually cut it down to cane size. So I guess that part is up to you and your environment.
Personally I like to make my own and half the fun is hunting for that one that is just right. The popular "fighter" woods are Osage Orange, Oak, American Hornbeam, Hickory and Black Walnut.
Regarding carrying a staff as opposed to a cane, that's an interesting topic. Much of that is a matter of taste and practicality. On the "pro" side, I work in a hospital where all manner of patients use walking aids, and I see a fair number with actual wooden staves (4-5.5 feet) to get around, both young and old. They tell me they find it empowering to have a nice-looking, unique stick to lean on. Another story is my old aikido sensei, who used to walk around Washington DC with a mahogany-colored oak jō. To paint that picture, he was a 5'1" bald fellow, with his two young kids and a chocolate lab. When he'd stop at a crosswalk, he'd hold it horizontally and his kids would grab onto it, his dog would lay down. He never had anyone give him trouble for having his stick. Now on the other hand, I also used to walk with a 5 ft staff when I lived in rural western Maryland. Since I walked everywhere, it worked. But when I moved to downtown Baltimore, I found the length too cumbersome. It was hard to maneuver on buses and subways, and when I sat down at places, it was hard to find a place to put the stick. I eventually cut it down to cane size. So I guess that part is up to you and your environment.