Walking sticks!

Kwon Kwang

Kwon Kwang

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
2,807
After a recent leg injury, I've decided I need one of these. I've injured my legs before and seriously considered one, but had been too dumb not to follow through. While I won't always need one, I know that if I get to reach a ripe old age my injuries will come back to haunt me. Would also be nice to have one to just strap to my bag in the event that I ever do need it for whatever reason. I won't buy one from any production maker other than Cold Steel; I hate fragile things.

So, show me your walking sticks! What do you like/dislike about them? Any BF-approved sellers that can sell one to my syrup-chugging hide at a decent price?
 
I'll edit and get pics up later, but if you are going to order one for use as anything other than a club.... start with the dragon.

The ball head on the African and Blackthorn make them hard to hold on to if you genuinally need them for support... but the more traditional shape of the dragon stick makes a fine handle and is more than capable of supporting me at 350lbs.

I'm waiting on the new axe headed one to become available... it might also actually work as a cane...but till I get my hands on it.. really.... the dragon cane is the only one I could honestly recommend as a walking stick.

YMMV...

P.S. wherever you order it from, also get a package of rubber chair leg tips... 1 inch I think worked best.... without them they will slide out from under you like you are walking on ice....
 
Thanks for the great advice! I'll definitely get those tips!

I intend to just use it for support, but it would be nice if it could also effectively fend off predators of all sorts. I should have mentioned that initially.
 
I have the Blackthorn and the African. I would NOT want to get hit by either one, but really, I don't think I'd want to walk around holding one as an actual walking stick, either.
 
I have the African and Walkabout, or whatever the new one is called. The African looks and feels too ''weapony'' to me for casual strolls, with its large head ball. And the large ball is also uncomfortable to grip for a long walk even with my XL hands. The shaft itself is also less sturdy that the Walkabout, which has a smaller but still utilitarian head size. The weapon comment was not mine. I initially took my African to a tech. school to grind the head down on their huge floor grinders. One of the instructors in the shop commented that it looked more like a weapon than a walking stick, which confirmed my thoughts. The Walkabout has a very sturdy shaft and a decent sized grip ball, to make a very useful outdoor stick. It is also a tad longer than the African I do believe... Just my observations, your mileage may vary.
 
oh make no mistake.... the dragon stick is easily the strongest of them... its overbuilt in a very good way... the dragon head provides an awesome cane handle to support yourself more like with a traditional cane..... but it also makes the most fearsome striker of the bunch as well due to the heavier thickness of the shaft and the way the head comes out at a 90 degree..... the others are like ball headed maces, but the dragon stick is more akin to a warhammer.....

I prefer the dragon stick for both walking/support and self defense

for what its worth.... I think the dragon stick is also the leas weapony looking of them... its striking surface if the face of the dragon, it does not look like a club or mace... it looks like a dragon shaped walking stick... hard to explain I guess.....

YMMV
 
Hawgsnawt said:
oh make no mistake.... the dragon stick is easily the strongest of them... its overbuilt in a very good way... the dragon head provides an awesome cane handle to support yourself more like with a traditional cane..... but it also makes the most fearsome striker of the bunch as well due to the heavier thickness of the shaft and the way the head comes out at a 90 degree..... the others are like ball headed maces, but the dragon stick is more akin to a warhammer.....

I prefer the dragon stick for both walking/support and self defense

for what its worth.... I think the dragon stick is also the leas weapony looking of them... its striking surface if the face of the dragon, it does not look like a club or mace... it looks like a dragon shaped walking stick... hard to explain I guess.....

YMMV
Click to expand...

Sounds like everything I want in a stick! I'm excited now!
 
The Dragon Stick and Walkabout are both comfortable and look more like walking sticks as opposed to weapons. All are solid polypropylene, so can be cut to desired length if too long. Definitely recommend adding a rubber crutch tip to the end. New Axe Head Cane looks good as a cane, but definitely looks like a weapon.
 
Kabar has their TDI defensive cane . Aluminum 1.00"dia tubing .I guess you can find courses for defensive use .38" ,can be cut to length. Came in very handy with leg problem ,snow etc [non defense]. Found that after learning that walking sticks aren't designed to hold your weight !!
 
The polypro canes are about as subtle as a baseball bat with a walking tip, and they are all heavy. I use the dragon when it is wet out, because the tip is large and a rubber foot on the end gives it impressive surface area to grip. But using a cane that is heavy or sized poorly can mess up your stride and result in shoulder ache and hip pain. My knee occasionally gripes me, and if you really want a mobility aid, then get a Slim Stick. It's light, strong, and long enough to use like a walking stick or a cane. Ditch the cheap, crappy tip that comes with it, get a good Leki hiking tip, and it will do everything you ask of it. If I didn't already have a Slim Stick, I would probably pick up one of the pistol grip City Sticks to have a larger, more ergonomic handle.
 
I suppose that a fellow gets the stick suitable for his uses/interests/needs. I like the Walkabout because it looks less weapon like, but is still a viable dog whacker, if need be. It is sturdy enough in the shaft to be a third leg when sideways crab walking down a slippery creek bank. And it works just dandy to whack tree branches down for a fire or to do some light battoning with. There really isn't any right or wrong, just individual needs and uses. I considered the Dragon and almost got the pistol grip city stick, and I might still get one yet.


 
I do like how simple and nonthreatening the Walkabout looks. Great blade! My favorite USMC derivative.
 
Kwon, I don't want to complicate your decision, but if you're going to strap a stick to your backpack "just in case," you might give serious thought to the Slim Stick. That thing is incredibly lightweight (far lighter than any other I've ever handled, Cold Steel or otherwise), and its carbon fiber body is unbelievably strong for the weight. Plus, it appears elegant (like the City Stick) rather than weapon-like, so they might even let you have one in Canada!

By the way, since we're discussing walking sticks, Cold Steel PLEASE add this type of handle to your City Stick line!

image.jpg1_zpslxa9v7xk.jpg


It's the most comfortable cane handle I've used. And since they're removable, PLEASE sell the various City Stick handles separately so that we don't have to buy the whole stick if we want to try different handles.

Sorry, didn't mean highjack the thread. But I've been hoping Cold Steel would make this style of cane for years! Like Kwon, I don't trust anybody to build it properly but Cold Steel.

-Steve
 
Oooh...carbon fiber. I like carbon fiber. Like G-10, it's lightweight and strong, and damn does it look good! Not a bad price at all, either! Maybe I'll get that one!
 
UPDATE:

Thank you for your advice, everyone. Due to its light weight and innocent, gentlemanly appearance, as well as perceived value, I have decided on the Slim Stick.

I expect to receive it by Friday. Will let you know how I feel about it!

Perhaps in time I'll get a Lucky to match it. :)
 
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Should have just taken one of your Cold Steel knives for a walk in the woods.
Free walking stick! :thumbup:
 
stabman said:
Should have just taken one of your Cold Steel knives for a walk in the woods.
Free walking stick! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Haha, perhaps in time I will make my own. Matter of fact, I would prefer to for something I intend to use for outdoorsy things. This stick will primarily see use in the city.
 
Got my Slim Stick!

20160219_004221.jpg


It's much more robust than I thought it could be, yet it really is feather light. The support it offers is great! The tip is good for the street and my home. For very slick surfaces it's not the best, but could be a lot worse. I intend to get some new tips in time, but this one is wearing well so far.

The handle is also quite comfortable. I'm really happy with it and it's definitely worth the $118 CAD (shipped with taxes) that I spent on it. What an awesome walking stick! Great job, Cold Steel!
 
The tip it comes with works fine for a while, but mine fell off at a very importune time. Leki sells rubber replacement tips in bags of 2 for about 15 USD in numerous sports stores. Get the one that looks kind of art deco and has a pentagon shape on the sole. There are other cheaper tips out there, but the Leki socket perfectly on a Slim Stick, and mine has been through years of wear in town, through snow, creeks, and rocky terrain without fail.
 
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