My wife's dad is in his mid-80s and still in good health for the most part. But last week he had a problem with vertigo due to an inner ear infection, and spent a couple of days in hospital. My wife brought both her parents home to stay with us for a few days.
Since there are usually a couple of extra $10 oak stock canes handy around here from the local farm supply store, I offered him his pick, and he chose one. I have since cut it down to fit him properly, using a back saw and miter box. I've smoothed the whole thing down well with sandpaper, opened up the crook a bit with a rasp, and sharpened the horn a tad as well.
I'm in the process of hand-rubbing a new oil finish on it, and looking for a 1" rubber crutch tip to finish it off.
And we've had our first introductory lessons in cane fighting. I need to hang a target for him to start working on, so he can work up to full force strikes against resistance. He seems to be enjoying the idea. And it's good to be able to do something useful for a family member.
lpl/nc
Since there are usually a couple of extra $10 oak stock canes handy around here from the local farm supply store, I offered him his pick, and he chose one. I have since cut it down to fit him properly, using a back saw and miter box. I've smoothed the whole thing down well with sandpaper, opened up the crook a bit with a rasp, and sharpened the horn a tad as well.
I'm in the process of hand-rubbing a new oil finish on it, and looking for a 1" rubber crutch tip to finish it off.
And we've had our first introductory lessons in cane fighting. I need to hang a target for him to start working on, so he can work up to full force strikes against resistance. He seems to be enjoying the idea. And it's good to be able to do something useful for a family member.
lpl/nc