Canes for self defense

I have several canes. A friend gave me the first one right after I had a stroke in 2002. It was from a medical equipment store and is very plain wood but it is oak and the grain runs lengthwise so it's strong. It had the traditional c shaped, crooked handle. At some point, I sanded the inner tip of the crooked handle to a blunt point...not sharp enough to stab...just enough to produce a pressure point. I used it to exercise and eventually started practicing some of the sidehandle batton techniques I was taught.

I have others, including a nice sword cane another friend gave me. I consider it a curio and plaything. I still find my old one to be the best combination of weight and strength. The rounded point to creates a good amount of pain and numbness when used in a hook/trap...I tried it on myself...OUCH...I have carried it everywhere and only had one person think the mod was for defensive purposes. Most believed that it was to help when picking up objects on the ground...I view it the same way as I did my baton and seven D Cell flashlight when I worked the street. It's a level of force between hands and lethal force. It can be lethal, just as any striking weapon can.
 
Adk.IBO said:
Also my new son in law (Pittsburgh) has requested no firearms in his home.
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I'd carry my blackthorn walking stick, and I'd have to lie to him. How'd your daughter get hooked up with someone like that, anyway? My daughters have their own guns. (Actually, one of them has one of mine that I've given up on getting back.)
 
Cane vs. attacking dog -- Cane-wise I probably have an advantage with my ex-golf club. Spring steel
just as it came from a golf course but for the putter head cut off. At 91 I walk about half mile every
day. Tiny dog half the size of a house cat came out yapping & trying to access my ankles. Busy with
him I spied a big dog, like an Alaskan husky over 100 pounds heading my way about 25 feet out.
About a foot from him taking piece out of my leg, I doubt if I could have practiced a better blow than
I delivered, on his neck & right shoulder. It changed his priorities & he fled the scene. Lady had come
out & corraled the little dog & was making apologies. I told her no damage done due my stick & glad it
was me instead of a little kid or old lady.
 
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Adk.IBO said:
I really like the idea of a cane or walking stick, especially when traveling to say Pittsburgh where my current CC permit is not valid. Came across these- oldeshillelagh.com made in Ireland. Custom fit, different styles, lead filled option, pricey but I still like them. As I age and get slower and less agile I would like to have one. Also my new son in law (Pittsburgh) has requested no firearms in his home. We went to a Penguins game and my comfort level was low in the parking garage. Zero help against someone with a gun, anything else, different story.

Stay safe, John
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After the Jacobean revolt in the late 1600's, Irish Catholics (and some Protestant factions) were denied the ability/authority to carry weapons (The Irish National Movement was actually started by a group of Presbyterians as the United Men of Ireland). Anyway, after the Jacobean Rebellion, many Irish men had to flee under pain of death (The Wild Geese of Irish history). The remaining few developed the use of the shillelagh as a defensive weapon and there is quite an art to it.
 
As a semi-routine thing, I usually take a cane to NYC. I keep one there all the time with family but I like to have them on the plane. This past trip, maybe the past two, I didn't bring one, but I will bring one next time.....just because. Because?

Because they have metal detectors everywhere - you can barely walk into any public building without passing through a metal detector and a knife will ring it and most of the knives folks like us carry are illegal in NYC, anyway.

A cane will accomplish an awful lot if you're game to use it, straight or hooked. Hooked canes, if you're trained in their use, are somewhat more effective in accomplishing disabling moves against an opponent. Straight canes, however, work wonderfully well and, while training helps, a solid blow of any kind from a solid walking stick does wonders in slowing down the opposition.

I have a collection of about 15 canes. My favorite happens to have an iron rod running through it and a carved hippopotamus for a head - the only problem is that it's uncomfortable to walk with because that carved head digs into your hand.

Among my various canes are a couple of shillelaghs. Before the British banned them the shillelagh was actually a cudgel - more like the swagger sticks you see in old movies than a walking stick. Clubs were banned so the Irish lengthened them into walking sticks - equally useful but not plain clubs. The British gave up on the subject after that. At least that's how I understand it.

One of my shillelaghs is an antique from Germany with an antler for a handle - now that sucker is a weapon!

If you're old enough to look like you need one, travel with one!!!

***GRJ***
 
A Club Brother got me one of these a couple years ago when I had back problems. Well worth the price & fits nicely in my truck rifle rack. Handling & balance are excellent.
BubbaStik.com
 
PuertoRican said:
A Club Brother got me one of these a couple years ago when I had back problems. Well worth the price & fits nicely in my truck rifle rack. Handling & balance are excellent.
BubbaStik.com
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for the link.

I recently saw the same sort of brass handle design on a walking stick at a store, but without the "Bubba" branding. It was $79, and the screw attachment seemed really close to the end of the wood. Not quite the same as in the Bubba.

How's the security of the brass knob handle attachment on yours? Solid & stout?

I might just have to add one to my collection, but I'd want to call them and order one with the "Bubba" branding. I may live in the CA Central Coast mountains, but the beach town of Santa Cruz is barely a handful of miles down the road, and I spend a lot of time visiting the pubs and breweries in that beach community. It's not exactly a "bubba" sort of town. :D

I don't need any more attention than I usually manage on my own ...
 
Two years ago, I encountered health issues that left me with a neurological problem and I lost my sense of balance. No more motorcycles. I've carried for about 40 years, but recognized that the cane makes me look more vulnerable to street thugs than I am. Now, I use a cane that was made for use in moving cattle by dairy farmers. It's one inch diameter hardwood with a big crook handle. I've found that just staying alert, and holding this stick in the right way just might discourage bad guys. They don't want much hassle for the few bucks a nasty old man might have.
 
Go to Home Depot and get a piece of pipe, 1/2 or 3/4 inch works well, they will cut it to size for you. Paint it black. Put a rubber tip on one end, they sell those too, and cap the other end as you see fit. A T joint with two plugs for example...or just a regular cap...or a shiny brass coupler and plug.

That won't be coming apart.
 
Cane guns are considered "Any Other Weapons (AOWs)" by the BATFE and are subject to registration and payment of a $5.00 Federal Transfer Tax upon approval, which is currently running 6-9 months if you live in a state that doesn't ban them. You can't take them across state lines without permission or into a state that bans them.

Sounds like a bad plan.
 
I have a cane I had to use before my second back surgery and fortunately don't need to use now. I'll keep it of course and next time I'm going to be in a no weapon zone plan on taking it for my personal protection.
I'm 62 and too old to fight anymore and will take any advantage I can. I do try and stay away from unsafe areas and no weapon zones though.
 
I have used "canes" for years when walking my small dogs. I live in the country and it keeps the large free running dogs at bay rather than shooting them. Mace is too wind sensitive. But one of my self made walking sticks/canes made of Eastern Hop Hornbeam (iron wood), both heavy and very strong, will do the trick.
 
Rangerone said:
This is Mark Shuey's site. I bought several of his canes when he first started out about 15 years ago. Superb quality at that time, although I have not handled any of his current production.



Cane Masters!, Walking Canes for mobility, self-defense, exercise and rehabilitation
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I just scored a self defense cane similar to those at an antique mall for $10. Couldn't believe it when I saw it. The shaft has the grip grooves near the middle and bottom, a fairly open crook with a chiseled tip, and an angled edge running down its length (something I would not want to be hit with).

The pic doesn't show it well:

e6bef8c763fa23db40bfb0235fae7326.jpg


3c79d57f626480b9defaffe788a425e0.jpg






-- Rick
 
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Cane or Baton

7shooter said:
One of the first police departments in the U.S. ( Boston P.D. ) issued 6 foot long blue canes to their officers. I've tried to find photos of one but haven't been able to. They are described as looking like the traditional shepherds crook.

I wonder if that is where the phrase " Hook em and book em " came from.
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Law enforcement and security still use canes, most people though call them batons... and yes Smith and Wesson even makes them... I'd rather have one of these than a cane any day: http://www.firestoreonline.com/images/products/display/SWBAT_MED.jpg

SWBAT_MED.jpg
 
another one of many defensive items that are illegal to carry in my state.
 
Actually an AOW does NOT require a Form .20 to cross statelines . SBR, SBS -yes , AOW, Supressor - no. Still need to carefully check the laws as to posseson or actual carry.

Even though I don't need one , I guess I am of the age to be believable to carry one. I would be inclined for "no hook" as I have enough training and experience with sticks to carry over without learning new from scratch.

I my jurisdiction I could openly carry an actual sword , but a sword cane an inherent no-no . Now this threrad has my mind churning about doing a Form 1 for a cane gun.
 
When I was in Washington D.C. an umbrella dragged behind me while sight seeing eventually ended up with a chisel edge on the steel tip
( maybe a touch on a grinder helped a little in the process)
But it was legal to carry anywhere,,, just make sure you get a steel tipped one if you want a good sticker!
 
Canes are GREAT tools for fighting. There's a dvd on TRS/Fight-Fast I've been wanting to buy for my Dad & I.
I keep a baton in my car..it's a cheap one but will work. Soon I'll get a S&W.
On a side note...I just noticed the hand-cuffs that were given to me are S&W! I had no clue until I looked at them a little closer yesterday.
 
As I understand it batons are illegal in California. That might be the case in other jurisdictions. I think it would be wise to check this out before purchasing one.
 
I just bought a cane from one of the big box faRm and outdoor Kind of
store. Sold in the pet and animal supplies dept. It is about 36" long
and 1 1/8" dia hickory. Surely a stout piece of wood for $12.99. I'm
going to cut it to length and probably trim the pronounced hook on the
end and probably freshen up the plain varnished finish and then add
a rubber tip. I really need a cane right now because of my back
problems. But with all due respect I have to say that I have a hard
time believing that anyone who actually needs a cane could use one
very effectively for self defense. Seriously does anyone think that
they could survive an attack from a couple or even one gang banger
armed with a knife with only a cane for SD?
 
alwslate said:
I just bought a cane from one of the big box faRm and outdoor Kind of
store. Sold in the pet and animal supplies dept. It is about 36" long
and 1 1/8" dia hickory. Surely a stout piece of wood for $12.99. I'm
going to cut it to length and probably trim the pronounced hook on the
end and probably freshen up the plain varnished finish and then add
a rubber tip. I really need a cane right now because of my back
problems. But with all due respect I have to say that I have a hard
time believing that anyone who actually needs a cane could use one
very effectively for self defense. Seriously does anyone think that
they could survive an attack from a couple or even one gang banger
armed with a knife with only a cane for SD?
Click to expand...

Yes its not the cane that's going to win the fight, its the person welding it. It its stout enough cane that does not break easy you have superior reach over your opponent, you use that to your advantage.
 
I walk with a cane, it is made of black locust wood ( hardness near oak or hickory ). As I recall all of my baton training well, it will make a good defensive weapon. I carry better weapons, but as a last resort this cane would serve me well.
 
Next to my alto flute is an aluminum tube with an embouchure hole. It is about 42"+ in length and will get some tone holes drilled as well. Then a piece of rubber and a handle.
It will be used as a cane when in areas where firearms are infringed upon.
I have a longer one as well.
High polish is last.
Right now it sounds a low G as does the alto flute.
Kendo style is a good workout.

ejx94z.jpg
 
alwslate said:
I just bought a cane from one of the big box faRm and outdoor Kind of
store. Sold in the pet and animal supplies dept. It is about 36" long
and 1 1/8" dia hickory. Surely a stout piece of wood for $12.99. I'm
going to cut it to length and probably trim the pronounced hook on the
end and probably freshen up the plain varnished finish and then add
a rubber tip. I really need a cane right now because of my back
problems. But with all due respect I have to say that I have a hard
time believing that anyone who actually needs a cane could use one
very effectively for self defense. Seriously does anyone think that
they could survive an attack from a couple or even one gang banger
armed with a knife with only a cane for SD?
Click to expand...

Massad Ayoob thinks so...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddc5uslB2aE[/ame]
 
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