I have always liked the idea of a walking stick. Hikers use them. Pilgrims used them. 18th century gentleman used them. Even Robinhood and Little John used them, though theirs were a little different. Unfortunately they have fallen out of fashion. Even so, this summer I decided to start walking with a cane (or walking stick) whenever I take the kids out for a walk.
While I have to admit that at the beginning, I had dreams of using it to fend off rabid dogs and footpads, I have found it much more practical. First, it is actually very comfortable to walk with. Second, when we are out walking it is great to have s stick to point at things I want to show the kids, or to poke at something I really don’t want to touch with my hand. Or more importantly, that I don’t want the kids to touch.
I have also found that it helps me show the kids something that is off in the distance. There is probably a more formal name for this, but I call it a “sighting stick.” If I hold the stick like a rifle, then have a child step within my arms they can sight down the stick and with the help of the cane see what I am pointing at. A deer hiding in a bush, or a bird in a tree are much easier to see. It took a time or two to figure out how I could make it work, but now we have the system down.
The walking stick that I have been using is a Heavy Cane, Espresso Hickory, Jatoba Knob from Purple Heart Armory. Overall it is a great cane. The fit and finish of the pommel to the cane was not perfect. It only took a little bit of sandpaper to fix the problem. I also refinished the pommel to remove the shellac, and sealing it with linseed oil. I find the feel much smoother to the touch. Now, it has a great feel.
