Ok, this is what I have. Unlike cbl51, I do not need any of them. I am attracted to wooden canes for some reason.Forgive me for my winter crocks that the back straps broke and are now relegated to back yard duty. The first is a live stock crook. Not sure of the wood, but it is very dense and hard. Built like a tank, and has plenty of wooden character to it. Not that expensive as I found it at the Tractor Supply Store. I attached a rubber foot to it.
Quote from: jerseydevil on August 02, 2014, 10:04:42 PMAs some of you know, my left knee is a disaster. Despite two pretty major operations and tons of therapy, injections, etc, I'm just in constant pain and the leg feels very weak at times. I'm giving serious thought to a walking stick to help me get around a bit better and help take some of the weight off that leg if needed. Does anyone use one regularly? Any suggestions?jerseydevil, I've been on a cane/walking stick since my right foot and ankle were badly damaged while on active duty in the army. That was 1972. They told me at Walter Reed Army hospital in Washington, where I was sent for physical therapy and taught to walk again with what I had left, I'd need a cane for the rest of my life. So…I just couldn't see myself in my 20's with an old fogy cane, so I got used to carrying a rustic walking stick. At first, I used an Irish Blackthorn an Unlce gave me, then I made some of my own from hornbeam. The hande is important to be comfortable. If you use a root ball handle, it has to be big enough to support your weight on your hand. I now use a L shaped handle as it's more comfortable in my older age now that I'm a senior citizen. I've included a pic to give you an idea. A side benefit of a stout walking stick is it's a great defensive weapon with the right training, and it goes anywhere. Even on board airplanes. I've traveled with mine to most parts of the U.S. and Europe with no problems. A stick makes life a lot easier for you in the long run, and gives you something to lean on on a bad day. Do yourself a favor, get a walking stick and make it part of your persona. It will become part of you, and people won't even notice after a bit. (Image removed from quote.)The one on the far left is a irish blackthorn without the black finish. slightly angled pistol grip is comfortable most of the time. It's also a very heavy stick, and I think of it as my downtown riot stick. The one on the far right is a hornbeam that is local grown. I took a garden trowel and dug aound the roots until I found one that had a 90 degree angle root and cut it off. The L shape is the most comfortable on a "bad" day. The black one second from the right is another blackthorn, but the root ball is big enough that it gives great feel and support when my foot or ankle is really bothering me.It's been 40 years since my service injury, and a good stick has been a best friend to me. I really resisted it when I was young, but if you need it, you need it. Why make life hard on yourself. Besides, everyone who knows you will just accept it side they know you have had this knee trouble, so flow with it. Then get some basic kendo or other stick training, and you'll be well armed in the midst of our east coast liberal jungle. Even the black metal adjustable one with the foam grip can be used with some block and thrust techniques, and will make a viable defense weapon. Close up of L shaped handle.(Image removed from quote.)Another handle that is very comfortable, a 45 degree pistol grip. Like the other handle, I use sandpaper to sand a bit, feel it, sand some more, until I get a handle that feels just right in my hand. (Image removed from quote.)Good luck with finding a good stick. As a long time gimp, rated 50% disabled by the V.A., please feel free to ask me any advise for sticks and living with them.
As some of you know, my left knee is a disaster. Despite two pretty major operations and tons of therapy, injections, etc, I'm just in constant pain and the leg feels very weak at times. I'm giving serious thought to a walking stick to help me get around a bit better and help take some of the weight off that leg if needed. Does anyone use one regularly? Any suggestions?
Your in good company mate I think there's a good few of us 30 something's who use them from time to time Word of advice though mate, I had a cane like that from our health service, and robust its not so keep an eye on it Sent from the astropathic choir.
Yes, women. I have a hard time with those apparently.
Well, I saw the doctor this morning. Aside from needing an MRI and a CT scan, he said to me, "I hate to tell you this, because people your age don't want to hear it, but you need to start using a cane to help keep weight off the knee if you're in that much pain while walking". I told him that I was actually about to ask just that question. Even though it was something I'd already decided was needed, still sucked hearing it officially from the doctor. Anyway, to start off with, at the office he gave me this:My insurance paid for it, so I really can't complain. I'll use it to get used to walking with it, while taking a look around and finding something a bit more "me" to use. So, that's where this little odyssey is starting. I'll be sure to update when I get my next "walking assistance device". I'm not going to call it a cane yet, 35 year-olds don't use canes. After 40 however.....
Quote from: jerseydevil on August 08, 2014, 10:29:31 PMWell, I saw the doctor this morning. Aside from needing an MRI and a CT scan, he said to me, "I hate to tell you this, because people your age don't want to hear it, but you need to start using a cane to help keep weight off the knee if you're in that much pain while walking". I told him that I was actually about to ask just that question. Even though it was something I'd already decided was needed, still sucked hearing it officially from the doctor. Anyway, to start off with, at the office he gave me this:My insurance paid for it, so I really can't complain. I'll use it to get used to walking with it, while taking a look around and finding something a bit more "me" to use. So, that's where this little odyssey is starting. I'll be sure to update when I get my next "walking assistance device". I'm not going to call it a cane yet, 35 year-olds don't use canes. After 40 however..... I've got one just like that. In 2011 the V.A. hospital did an operation on my right foot due to degradation from the old army injury. Took out part of the big metatarsal bone that leads down to the big joint at the base of the big toe, and put in another steel rod/pin. Was on crutches the whole month of April 2011. When I graduated to a cane, even though Ihad my homemade ones, they gave me the black metal foam gripped one. I guess it's standard these days. Ugly as sin, but I was surprised at how comfortable it was. Used it for a month before going back t one of my hornbeams or blackthorns. Go ahead and use the heck out it to get acclimated to the cane until it becomes part of your life and persona. You're already halfway there. Oh, by the way, the metal cane has that neat curve in it, and makes for a great block and thrust weapon. While using it, I worked it into my routine for self defense work. The curve is a heck of a impact weapon when it's used to swing up in a punch motion after a block. Canes forever! PS- Using a cane, you may start noticing people holding doors for you, giving you a seat on the bus or metro, making way for you in crowded restaurants. Go with it. We're getting older and you need to start practicing for the days ahead where age and treachery become our valued skills.
PS- Using a cane, you may start noticing people holding doors for you, giving you a seat on the bus or metro, making way for you in crowded restaurants. Go with it. We're getting older and you need to start practicing for the days ahead where age and treachery become our valued skills.
Quote from: cbl51 on August 09, 2014, 03:08:12 PMPS- Using a cane, you may start noticing people holding doors for you, giving you a seat on the bus or metro, making way for you in crowded restaurants. Go with it. We're getting older and you need to start practicing for the days ahead where age and treachery become our valued skills. I'll work on those skills. I'm not bad at treachery, but there's always room for improvement.@Chako - I do plan on replacing it pretty soon. As something to use to figure this all out though it'll work for the moment.Yesterday after a full day of work it sure helped getting up the hill back home from the train......
If looking for a good "everyday" walking stick/cane/pole/staff, what's good? If in wood what type? Something light, but not flimsy, something rock hard but not to heavy,, but of course nothing expensive? JR
Quote from: MadPlumbarian on August 09, 2014, 11:21:08 PMIf looking for a good "everyday" walking stick/cane/pole/staff, what's good? If in wood what type? Something light, but not flimsy, something rock hard but not to heavy,, but of course nothing expensive? JRI've had very good luck with Blackthorn from the UK. If you google Lollysmith, they have a good selection of real blackthorn sticks with assorted handle shapes. Both knobs and angle. I've had good luck with American hornbeam. It grows along creeks and low places where there's damp soil. I dig around the root with a garden trowel, and when I find a right looking rootht that would make a nice handle, I use a cheap hatchet to cut it off. Takes a year to age down the basement, and I always leave the bark on, blackthorn style, and stain and seal to taste. Shaping the root to fit the hand is slow, using sandpaper, but it's worth it as you end up with a custom fitted handle to your grip. Hickory is good, as well as ash. Both are very tough, and when fully cured pretty light weight. Blackthorn, hornbeam, and ash can take very good sideway impact. That's why blackthorn was a weapon in Ireland, and ash is used for Louisville sluggers in this country. Remember, the stick is ALWAYS right there in your hand. Would you mess with this guy? (Image removed from quote.)
Would you mess with this guy? (Image removed from quote.)