Where do all these Canes end up?

[sashadoc]

Back to canes: Most of mine go to Veterans. With the guys/gals coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan the need goes up. One of my canes went to a 23 year old. I hope this business drops off soon.

Tim

[bob easton]

I'm not a stick maker, nor an enthusiast, but I do see an opportunity for our European friends. While visiting my daughter recently (who lives in southern Austria), we spent a few days in the country regions. Wet, drizzly, near freezing. Virtually EVERYONE walked with, not one, but TWO walking sticks. ... ski pole fashion. And most of the sticks were indeed aluminum, rubber tipped variations of ski poles.

Those folks really need some GOOD LOOKING walking sticks!

[dnstehly]

I have come to think of the walking stick as a particular kind of carving or sculpting medium, a distinct art form. Regardless of the category of carving, be it songbird, realistic animal, caricature, or any of the many others, that carving is in some way carved in a manner so that it can be displayed. The songbird may be mounted on a fabricated twig; the black bear may be standing on a carved rock. The twig and the rock are referred to as the habitat and provide the stand upon which the carving may be displayed. I think of the shaft of my walking sticks as the habitat upon which my carvings may be displayed. As the songbird and black bear may be displayed on a curio shelf or coffee table, so may the walking stick be hung on the wall or stood in an umbrella stand. The walking stick has the added feature of being designed to carry around with you so that you may display your carving any place you wish to carry it.

[kjarvis]

Why canes are the perfect item and everyone should have one. They are useful for older people who have stability issues. They are essential for anyone that has and walks a dog to beat off those aggressive large beasts that want your pup for lunch. Then there are those little kids who scream and yell and throw themselves on the super market or mall floor in a temper tantrum. One whack with the cane straightens that right out and the parents always thank me. Okay, so I'm kidding on that last idea.

[jigsaw1]

Making a cane from a piece of lilac wood and want to attach a piece of the same to the top for a hand grip. Plan to cut a tenon joint between the vertical and the top. What kind of glue to use??

jigsaw1

[Tommy Taylor]

Renaissance festivals are popular around the US and you just can't be a very good Wizard without a fancy all powerful better than the other Wizard's staff.And of course all that power doesn't come cheap.

[Stan Curtis]

I've got many sticks around the house ... and shed ... and garage ... and vehicles, etc. My first collected one was made by my great-great-grandfather while he was recuperating from his wound received during his march-to-the-sea back in the 1860's. He healed somewhere on the gulf coast and came back with a carved stick and a new young wife. She lived long enough that I remember her ... and her ferocious cat!

That started me and I now have canes and walking sticks from many places in the world. They are a great help when traversing any terrain that is not flat and smooth. Plus a unique stick that is not the average store-bought piece is a good way to get a friendly conversation started with a stranger. Plus a sturdy stick is a great comfort in some of the places I find myself in. A bit of subtle intimidation, etc. Just make sure that the TSA gives its reluctant approval!

I have made several, make that many, sticks and all made to be used. Some are better that others, some fairly good looking, and some not so. Never have sold one, but I have no idea where they end up.

Sorry to go on so long, but I really think that appropriate walking sticks and/or staffs should be a common thing used by more people for fashion as well as function.

[squbrigg]

In 1998 I was in a car accident and suffered a back and neck injury and a brain injury. During recovery, I was told that I'd have to use a cane for walking, for the rest of my life, so they handed me one of those wooden shafted/plastic handled ones from the drug store. Seven years later, I figured out two things: 1) I do need a cane to walk with; and 2) I'm a wood carver, and have been most of my life. I carved my first cane, a dragon headed beast and haven't stopped carving canes since.

They do make a nice ice breaker for conversation, and part of the questioning is "where can I get one" very often. I have made and sold quite a few for folks who need them to walk with and even more for folks who just like a carved cane or walking/hiking stick. The coolest was a 7' wizard' staff. Birds heads are the most popular: hawks and eagles.

Bob