Inspired By AMC's "The Walking Dead," "Walker Stick" Upgrade

[PRM]

After Thanksgiving, I posted about a walking stick project I had worked on. The idea of the stick came from AMC's series The "Walking Dead." The wood shaft came from a 35+ year old piece of oak, with an Ice Axe Walking Stick Handle I had obtained from Treeline Woodcrafting. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=686835

I really liked the walking stick, but, it lacked something. After watching the mid-season episodes in the prison - I realized, I had the wrong tip on it. The traditional rubber cane tip, just didn't flow with the theme of the cane. I found some spike tips (also at Treeline) and ordered a couple for my cane projects. The "Walker Stick" took the medium size tip. It required shortening the original shaft by about 2 inches and shaping and fitting the hardware. Perfect for keeping the Zombies off the fence (humor intended) - LOL. Now, if I can just find a pewter bio-hazard medallion.

I spend a lot of time outdoors and the spike tip really enhances the use of this walking stick on rough slippery terrain.

http://www.treelineusa.com/walking-...-chrome-cane-tips/medium-combo-stick-tip.html

 

[DammitBoy]

http://www.amazon.com/Biohazard-Danger-Pewter-Pendant-Necklace/dp/B00064USYI/ref=pd_sbs_jw_4

http://www.joowelsboutique.com/servlet/the-784/Mens-BioHazard-Necklace-Leather/Detail

 

[glistam]

If they just made a slightly different version of that spike, I could make one of these old school beauties:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makila

 

[HiWayMan]

If they just made a slightly different version of that spike, I could make one of these old school beauties:

Try using the ferrule and spike from a long handled weed digger. Cut off the weeding end and sharpen.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ames-1941..._sku=21798002&sourceid=1500000000000003260430

 

[Carpedium]

That's pretty neat. Thanks for sharing.

 

[PRM]

glistam,

Great link. That is quite a spike on those older canes. I've had a lot of fun with this stick...but, my primary goal was to make a highly functional walking stick that was unique in its appearance and design. The neat thing about the Treeline spike tip, is that its threaded and the rubber tip has a steel shaft inside it that screws onto the spike. This makes solid piece that is very functional (rubber tip) in most settings a person would use a cane. The spike gives you some options if your in the woods, hiking a trail, or just around the farm.

 

[Coyote3855]

I wonder if TSA would let you on a plane with that "cane?"

 

[PRM]

Up until I added the spiked tip, it was probably good to go. The handle is solid polished brass and is designed and sold as a walking stick handle. Walking sticks are a medical device and they are not even supposed to question you about it??? Don't know how the tip would show on a scan since it would be encased in a steel tube that is inside the rubber tip that screws on.

I refuse to fly anymore, unless forced to because of work, solely because of TSA. I had a bad experience with them coming back from Afghanistan. I was in uniform, with a large group of other soldiers. We had just come through customs in Kuwait and was passing through Atlanta. I was on emergency leave because of a death in the family and had a tight connecting flight. The TSA agent had me cut customs tags off several items so they could re-inspect them. Then a metal arch in my boots set off the alarm. Got jerked out of line for a second more in-depth search. All the while the TSA agent thought it was funny because I was probably going to miss my flight.

I wouldn't attempt to take my stick through an airport simply because its not worth the trouble of having to argue with stupid people.

 

[glistam]

Up until I added the spiked tip, it was probably good to go. The handle is solid polished brass and is designed and sold as a walking stick handle. Walking sticks are a medical device and they are not even supposed to question you about it??? Don't know how the tip would show on a scan since it would be encased in a steel tube that is inside the rubber tip that screws on.

They are allowed to question you about it, but they can't make you say what your disability is. The common and proper question is "Is this an assistive device?" They are allowed to inspect it, including X-ray (yes that spike will show clear as day on the machine), because if the stick is intentionally "weaponized" or contains concealed contraband, it ceases being a medical device. As for the spike, it's a bit of a toss-up if they would have an issue. Keep in mind that the ban on sharp objects on planes was the work of the Flight Attendant Union's machinations, not the TSA. Gov't investigations and committee's found that edge-weapons are of little concern considering they have been allowed for decades, and that security should focus on explosives. However, the union pressured the knife ban to remain in place, citing fears of interpersonal altercations (as opposed to hijack attempts).