Where do all these Canes end up?

[STAR]

You will have to understand my ignorance about the Walking canes. Also. to take into account that I am in Oz.

What is the purpose of a Cane, Here, I see very few people with a cane these days. Am I missing the point and is trail walking that popular that the canes are used there.

I have not posted this to upset anybody, just curious how popular canes and walking sticks are and where they get used.

Pete

[mpounders]

Of couse a lot of people have a physical necessity for a cane, which is the case for most of my customers. Quite a few hikers also find them useful in various types of terrain. I don't really need one, but I find that my back hurts a little less when we walk around our hilly neighborhood streets. A stout stick can also come in handy against unruly dogs and other assailants. I believe it is illegal to walk around with a baton or nightstick! But somewhat acceptable to carry a three foot long oak rod with a metal ball for a handle (as long as it has a rubber tip on one end)? Canes are still not something you see just everyone with by any means. Oh, and some people also collect antique and artistic canes!

[Robson Valley]

Pete: Less than 3% of British Columbia is flat. The hiking stick is perhaps more important on the way down as it might be on the way up. A "3-point" stance, like a tripod, is quite stable. Pissing west coast rain and +4C. Add a 25kg pack to that. A so-called hiking stick is about shoulder height.

So, for Christmas, I took my D1 and her guy over to "Out-of-Square" construction to be custom fitted for hiking staffs.
1. They got to "cherry-pick" a stash of more than 200 diamond willow sticks which will become hiking staffs and canes over the next few months.
2. The issue of length
3. The issue of tips. A rubber cane tip isn't very useful here, summer or winter.
4. Handle thong and placement. The stick might need to become a splint, a tent pole, etc.

Anyway, I left with the kids all lit up. They had seen hiking staffs in stores $100+ but never believed that they would get one custom made for their heights. That's how it gets done here in the rocks.

[Waitpinga Whittler]

I've collected and walked with canes and staves since I was 16... (a very long time ago now...). Never understood the reasoning behind waiting until walking is uncomfortable before discovering the joys of walking with a stick. I keep a collection of sticks in a couple of umbrella stands by the door. Pick one at random on the way out to keep me compay on the walk. That's what its all about in my book.

I didn't start making sticks until fairly recently (about 7 years ago). I keep very few of those of my own making. Most end up in other peoples' collections, given as gifts, sold to art galleries and thence to the 'general public'. Don't really know what actually happens to most of them, but the price tag alone usually means that they will be looked after. One doesn't usually spend that sort of money ($100 +) without being reasonably keen on what they are buying.

[MoroCreek]

My Dad got the first cane I've made..... just last weekend It was just a sanded and steel wool, naturally shaped cane of some nice grained, bug trailed wood. I'm learning as I go along.... but Dad was well pleased. If the Lord allows, he'll be 82 next month.... has had a stroke, and likes a cane for the added balance it provides him.

Kim

[STAR]

Sorry to hear that your Dad is not well. I understand that for elderly people that a cane is very beneficial but even for them they do not seem as popular as they were many years ago.
Pete

[Marvin Little]

To many people using a cane labels them as OLD amd less than perfect, even those who actually need one. I have back and knee problems and I feel more comfortable if I carry a hiking stick with me when I walk on the roads and especially in the woods. If for nothing else, it gives you something to lean on when you stop. They have many uses for many people. I make them because I like working with wood of different types and a lot of people will buy them so I get to keep buying supplies and tools.

Marvin

[kev.b]

i walk with my dog every day with a variety of canes, thumbsticks etc. I don't need one for support and i'm in good health , just like the feel of one in my hand. not only that i've sold quite a few just from talking to people on my walk.
There is a saying that when you walk with a stick your walking with a friend.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Well...most canes end at the ground with a rubber tip lol.........I suggest that when you get to a point in your later years where you are a bit infirm...you will find out rapidly what a cane is for!

[Boydman]

Star,

I think that your question opens alot of discussion...not sure about the cane issue...that seems to be covered already.....but, we use walking_"hiking staffs" in our guiding business...mountain sheep. Here in Alaska...as Robson has said...they are invaluable coming off the ridges in unevern terrain w/ hvy packs.
In past couple years our local gift shops have requested that I make more for our visitor/tourist business. We live near a major hwy and have thousands of visitors....mostly motorhomes. The walking sticks have been very popular here....I think England has lead this whole idea....and we here are just "catching up"....I can remember our Sgt Major carving a special stick on field trng exercises....now I would like to make sticks for my hunters...using wildlife themes. Anyway, I have played golf with folks from Oz...as you say, after three holes alot of those guys were using their golf clubs as canes!!!.........Ha!

Greg