Need Purpose Built Walking Cane

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chiltech500

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Howdy,

I am mildly handicapped and walk with a cane. I would like a cane with a solid metal core (but not too heavy) to carry for SD. Anyone know where such a thing can be bought?

I have thought of buying a hardwood cane and somehow having it drilled out and a .25" metal rod inserted into the middle of it.
 
Get a cane made from Ironwood or Osage and you won't need a steel rod. In any event , I would rather defend a self defense killing with a natural cane than one from a cane altered by a metal rod in the center.
 
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I've been carrying one of these around with me during walks in the woods and parks. A crutch tip on the end keeps it from getting worn down and I doubt I could be charged with anything. Well, at least not unless I lived in Chicago or NYC.
 
If you are looking for a SD type cane, use a piece/branch of bois d'arc as the cane. I HAVE to use a stick all day, everyday and it holds up great. I've stopped fights with it, pried up a tire on a rim with it, and stopped a dog attack, on me, with it. It takes a bit to get the bark off but, do that and seal it, and you've got one helluva stick. Mine is working on about 14-15 years old and only really has a couple ding on it. NEEDS another seal coat but, still in great shape.

FYI Bois 'd arc fruit (Horse Apples)
 
This!

You don't need or want a metal rod to make a fast unbreakable cane!

The extra weight will just make it slower and no stronger.

Pick a traditional unbreakable wood cane, or micarta.

Or go to a local farm supply store and buy a hickory Stockmans can.
You can beat a Brahma bull to death with one without breaking it!

rc
 
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The only thing I can add is that a cane with a steel rod added fits the legal definition of a "leaded cane," which means any cane that has been weighted for the specific purpose of making it a better weapon. It need not be lead but can be any metal; the term originates in the 19th century when they filled walking sticks with lead to make them better bludgeons. Granted, this term appearing in weapon carry statutes is rare and considered dated, but it is still on the books in some states.
 
A question for the original poster. Is there a specific reason you want a metal core cane?

If it is only for the idea of a stronger cane, the metal core is not really needed, but can lead to a can of worms if you do indeed use it for a self defense situation, and seriously injure/kill someone. A cane such as that will fall under the "loaded cane category of pre-prepared weapon. This is not something that you want happening in court. A cane/walking stick made out of ironwood/hornbeam, or Bois d'arc like has been suggested, will stand up to any strikes against an attackers anatomy.

I've been in court as the aftermath of using a heavy hornbeam hiking staff on a off leash pit bull and it's owner that attacked our Welsh corgi, and the owner who attacked me. I was not the one hit with the criminal charges, but it was a civil suit against me by the owner of the pit bull for his dogs death, and his injuries. He told the judge that the fact that I was walking around with a "weapon" indicated I was the aggressor looking for a fight. At the time I was in my 60's, and I am rated 50% disabled by the V.A. for injuries to my right food and ankle from active duty in the army. As a result, I do walk with a cane all the time. When I go for a walk in the woods with my family, I substitute a hiking staff for the cane.

In court, his lawyer presented his case against me, saying that I used a weapon to kill his clients pit bull, and inflict serious injuries enough to require transport to the ER.

I presented my hornbeam hiking staff for the judge to examine, and the judge did indeed examine it, and stated that it was not a prepared weapon, and that it was clear defense of our dog and myself and then threw the case out of court. I will never forget the judge's choice of words about a prepared weapon.

For legality, it is a very bad choice to "load' your cane with any metal. You loose the "plausible deniability" factor. You don't want to do that. It's not the criminal charges you need to worry about, but the civil suit after. Like O.J. Simpson, he faced a whole different ball game after he got off of the criminal charge, but ended up broke after the Goldman family lawyer got done with him. A plain stick, all wood will give you that very very vital plausible deniability that you will need after the event.

If a plain wood hornbeam staff could enable a mid 60's white haired senior citizen 5 foot 9 inches and 165 pounds, crush the skull of an attacking pit bull, then take down the attacking outraged owner who was a bit over 6 foot shaved head tattoo'ed 30 something guy, you won't need a metal core cane.

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The staff shown next to one of my EDC canes, is just over 4 feet, and is 1 5/8th diameter on top and 1 1/4 at bottom. The judge liked it. Like all my sticks/canes, there is no metal anywhere, and my sticks will go right through TSA security.

BUT… I do notice that when I travel by air, they always x-ray my cane to see if it's hiding anything. I think a metal rod inside will cause you great trouble at the airport.
 
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I need a cane, have since 08.

I make my own from oak, hickory, other hard woods, and phenelic rods.

Stay away from purpose built stuff, metal or lead filled, or modified aluminium canes, it can only get you in trouble.

Also get some training in cane/stick fighting, You will be amazed at how your self confidence will grow.
 
I wonder if one of the polypropylene walking sticks from Cold Steel would meet your needs.

That is my travel cane, the City Stick, not cheap, very light, makes for fast strikes, bayonet jabs.

No problem at Airports. Practically unbreakable. Read up on the use of a cane, as a weapon. At 78YOA, with the white hair and beard to go with the cane? I am your average nice old Chap! Threaten the love of my life, she will be 70 next month, the person who does so? Longevity might be a problem.

The fact that I carry a Glock 19 every day, is also a comfort.

(A cane/walking stick made out of ironwood/hornbeam, or Bois d'arc) has been suggested, sounds good as well.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I suspected a metal filled cane might be a problem. I was told that as long as strikes are directed to waist and below that it would not be treated as seriously as higher. That said, I do have a concealed carry permit so if I used a gun vs any type cane what's the difference, being logical?

I am handicapped and need the cane for support walking and steps. A straight walking stick type cane would not do it for me as I need the "T" handled type because I push down on the handle as I walk. Sounds like the best I could do is search out a hardwood cane with the T handle.

PS, thanks MILLCREEK for the Cold Steel suggestion - which I have never heard of.
 
I was told that as long as strikes are directed to waist and below that it would not be treated as seriously as higher.
Eh, sort of. That's an over-simplification. Any time you use force on another human being, where you hit and what you use are simply variables to be judged on the totality of the circumstances, especially the nature of the threat. So it's not really reasonable to make broad generalizations. For example, with an assailant trying to stab you with a knife (deadly force) it is perfectly justifiable to cave his skull in with a overhead swing. That said, strikes to the limbs are often easier to land. With unarmed assailants of similar physical strength, striking the thigh is a common tactic to slow them down so you can get away. The fact that you are disabled and this might impair running also might justify you using more force that what a physically strong person might get away with.

That said, I do have a concealed carry permit so if I used a gun vs any type cane what's the difference, being logical?

The gun is always deadly force, so the threat must be deadly. The cane is a blunt weapon that is considered just below deadly force and is also viewed as "improvised" rather than a prepared weapon. It's all about the threat.

Sounds like the best I could do is search out a hardwood cane with the T handle.

How's this? It's available in ironwood:
http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/country-walking-cane/
 
Can anyone comment on the hardness of rosewood, maple or oak?

Never worked in Rosewood, but have made a lot of canes out of Oak and Maple, Oak is my first choice, but maple is a close second.
 
Rosewood is very hard and heavy. The Ebony that I have worked with not so much. My first choice would be the, Bois de'arc, Osage, or sometimes called Bodock. All the same thing. If making it yourself, get all the white wood off as soon as it is cut and get a coat of shellac on it ASAP. The center wood is very yellow turning to honey with light exposure and eventually a purple black. It is much harder and heavier than Hickory and just about rot proof.
 
If you want the best woods for a defensive cane, just look at what the use in industry for tough woods that need impact resistance. There's a very different rating for the hard woods, vs tough woods. Hickory and ash are used for sledge hammer handles, pickax handles, and the fame louisville slugger is made from ash.

Maple is not that good, and oak, while hard, is not that tough for lateral stress. There's a reason they are not used for heavy duty tool handles.
 
I was told that as long as strikes are directed to waist and below that it would not be treated as seriously as higher.

If you strike to the head, face, neck you can kill even when trying not to and those are strikes to avoid unless forced to defend your life. Arms and hands are typical targets and aren't likely to result in accidental head/neck blows unless the arms are above the head. Whether something will be "treated seriously" depends on a complex equation and not some simple advice since you're dealing with a legal issue and not something simple.
 
I put no sticky coatings on sticks I may fight with. I prefer pure tung oil. Hickory and oak are popular and tough choices. Canvas micarta is more expensive, but by far my favorite material for impact tools.
 
My first good cane was oak, but the weighty feel of it also made it slow in the hand. My personal favorite is hickory- high strength but lighter than oak. I have hickory escrima sticks and a hickory cane, and they are very quick.
 
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