[Rad]

I'm fortunate enough not to really NEED a stick to get around. . . but I'm 62, have a bad ankle, my eyesight isn't getting better, and I often walk my dog at light on potholed streets and uneven sidewalks, in an iffy neighborhood.

With this as background: what are your thoughts about a cane to use as a mobility aid with possible self defense applications? I'm thinking about woods, weight, types and shapes of handles, etc.

Unless you are proficient and work out with the stick, the odds are that someone will take it away from you and reintroduce it to you elsewhere!
If you are not physically healthy enough to swing practice, hard, to be able to maintain your grip...
A false sense of security is more dangerous than a healthy sense of your own limitations.
Ever hear of the Zap cane?
Aluminum, with bright flashlight in the handle (a weapon in itself in confronted at night... blinding him for long enough to exit stage right!
And a billion volts from the prods at the bottom, if the light doesn't do it, the voltage will!
You would still have to become familiar with it and with your limitations! That is wisdom.
And still a young buck might feed it back to you.
Perhaps Faith will stand you better than other options?

A healthy sense of my own limitations is why I'm interested in the stick in the first place. Even assuming someone got the stick away from me: in my case, the stick would have served its purpose, because while he's trying to figure out what to do with it, I'm drawing my revolver on a now-for-sure armed man who's launched a violent attack on me.

I'll have to check out that Zap cane you mention.

With the logic of some, they would have us walk naked because we are not highly trained in swinging a stick! I would rather go down trying than to be totally defenseless and not try at all! The facts are that "most" assailants look for the "easy" mark -- not one who might put up a fight! It's like telling someone to standby and allow yourself to be raped because your not skilled in fighting back!

 

[cobalt]

This is pretty appalling what does this say about society insted of looking out of the window think what to wear your discussing what weapon to take ? It sounds like a war zone.

I very much doubt that your fellow americans think this way i am totally shocked by it and can only think that the obbsesion is feed by the gun culture

Its one thing hunting but surely this is going way over the top

I know this is going to upset a lot of you but please stop and think what messages this sends out

 

[capnwilliam]

This is pretty appalling what does this say about society insted of looking out of the window think what to wear your discussing what weapon to take ? It sounds like a war zone.

I very much doubt that your fellow americans think this way i am totally shocked by it and can only think that the obbsesion is feed by the gun culture

Its one thing hunting but surely this is going way over the top

I know this is going to upset a lot of you but please stop and think what messages this sends out

This is pretty appalling what does this say about society insted of looking out of the window think what to wear your discussing what weapon to take ? It sounds like a war zone.

I very much doubt that your fellow americans think this way i am totally shocked by it and can only think that the obbsesion is feed by the gun culture

Its one thing hunting but surely this is going way over the top

I know this is going to upset a lot of you but please stop and think what messages this sends out

Cobalt, it says that society has many bad people in it, who prey on their fellow men and women.

My views are very common among Americans. They are also a lot more common in the UK than you hint. I have visited England four times, have many friends there, and am a moderator on an airgunning forum which consists overwhelmingly of UK members. The message I get from them is, "crime here is bad and getting worse! We envy the fact that you Yanks can own guns to protect yourselves: unlike those of us here in the nanny state. Don't ever give up your rights!"

 

[Rad]

Cobalt -- the poster started this particular thread as a self defence thread, you need not get involved if it is too appalling for you. I really am concerned for your sincibilities - no need to get your heart rate up! However, if you just like being appalled, and shocked, and like to argue ---- then more power to you!

Have you noted the punching game that is all the rage these days? It's been in the news a lot -- punks are coming up on totally innocent people an knocking them cold and sometimes dead! I don't think this is fed by a gun culture. And I think if you take an honest look at the crime rates put out by the FBI and Scotland Yard, the crime rates are a little more in the UK.

I'm just asking that you not be too condemnatory!

 

[cobalt]

sorry Rad but if crime is so bad here the police would carry weapons..Ido not know of anywishing to carry a gun

And like the gun lobbyist that type of argument is simple fed on fear not truth

but as i see i am annoying people hear with the truth i had better shut up

No we havnt given up our rights it was peoples wish

 

[Rad]

Never annoyed by truth - just ignorance!

 

[capnwilliam]

sorry Rad but if crime is so bad here the police would carry weapons..Ido not know of anywishing to carry a gun

And like the gun lobbyist that type of argument is simple fed on fear not truth

but as i see i am annoying people hear with the truth i had better shut up

No we havnt given up our rights it was peoples wish

sorry Rad but if crime is so bad here the police would carry weapons..Ido not know of anywishing to carry a gun

And like the gun lobbyist that type of argument is simple fed on fear not truth

but as i see i am annoying people hear with the truth i had better shut up

No we havnt given up our rights it was peoples wish

I know many people in England who have told me they wished they could carry a gun. Some 11,000 people in the UK DO have gun carry permits, by the way. Even though it isn't provided for by statutory law, it's possible by an action of the Queen.

As far as the police not carrying guns in England: this is not true! It's true that most police don't: but you have your Armed Response Teams. And I have seen Police Constables in London walking their beats with Glock automatic pistols on their belts. I've also seen police there carrying assault rifles, in May 2011 (President Obama was there at the time).

 

[cobalt]

Yes ther are armed reponse units here,yes armed units are about when digenetries are her unfortunatly, also at all airports to gaurd against terrorist hat to see it.But have never seen a local bobby carry a weapon,okay a trunchonbut most of those arnt visable

You may be right regarding gun permits ,i dont know .These usually carried by hunters ,and a few others to cull /harvest deer etc.

But as for most people wanting to carry guns is not true in any shape or form , there is always a small minority that would carry a weapon if they could but thankfully this is not the case. and it is these that would cause mayhem

You will always be able to get a illegal gun i suppose as they are smuggled into the countrybut this is small amount and always end up in the wrong hands

the average bobby on the beat has no need to carry weapon thankfully

As for the guns they carry i have no idea but automatic weapons i assume

I am just pleased we dont have a gun culture as there is enogh crime antwhere

 

[nameless]

With the logic of some, they would have us walk naked because we are not highly trained in swinging a stick! I would rather go down trying than to be totally defenseless and not try at all! The facts are that "most" assailants look for the "easy" mark -- not one who might put up a fight! It's like telling someone to standby and allow yourself to be raped because your not skilled in fighting back!

If one is 'feeble' and needs a cane, then there is one already at hand.
With the logic of some, they would have us walk naked because we are not highly trained in swinging a stick! I would rather go down trying than to be totally defenseless and not try at all! The facts are that "most" assailants look for the "easy" mark -- not one who might put up a fight! It's like telling someone to standby and allow yourself to be raped because your not skilled in fighting back!

If attacked, and you feebly swing the cane, the now pizzed-off attacker will take your weapon and use it on you. I would.

It is always a poor strategy to arm your attacker.

If you are not skillful with a weapon, you are safer to not brandish it, and continue to lean on it!

Better to be raped than audited!

All this 'self-defense' and weaponry in a country 'overpopulated' by the religious seems rather ironic.

Is there no Faith anymore? Arm yourself to the teeth, hoard food and money and anything else that you can accumulate, 'just in case', and God can watch out for Herself and you yourself??

Amerikkka IS a war zone, rapidly descending into 3rd world status.

Anyone can improve their abilities with some good lessons and plenty of practice. That just MAY turn the tide in a pinch. Maybe!

So will acting like a 'mentally ill person' or peeing yourself, or faking an epileptic seizure... AND peeing yourself!

That should send any attacker running!

Fake a heart attack!!!

There are many alternate strategies far more effective than waving your little stick around. It would just make me irritated, if I was an attacker/mugger.

Give them the money, feel free to fight for your azz, but, as I said, there are much more non-violent methods of defusing the situation, win/win!

 

[Rad]

Wow

 

[cobalt]

wow

all because of stickmaking

is this turning into stickmaking regiment with combat training

sorry to be rude but thist this getting out of hand? all in our prime and just wish to enjoy the plesant things in life.

 

[JJireh]

Yes I think we have covered all the bases, everyone get back to stick making/buying

 

[CAS14]

Politics aside, seldom do I encounter a mean dog in town, but every few years I do, and I am happy to have a deterrant.

For those who completed a military boot camp, the pugil stick training that simulated hand-to-hand combat with a stick in place of a rifle, those same simple but powerful moves will work with the right stick.

Helmut cam:
http://www.military....g/946232657001/

 

[Rad]

Thanks CAS! Very interesting!

 

[capnwilliam]

I started this Thread in the hope of getting some practical advice about a cane for mobility and self defense applications. I've received a bit of that, but I have to hunt for it among the responses about religious faith, the utility of faking a heart attack (I'm sure my friend who was mugged in the park while having a real heart attack could really have profited from this drivel), slurs about "the gun culture" - (whoever they are) - whatever they have to do with walking sticks - and comments about English police carrying guns from an Englishman who claims to have never seen a bobby carrying a gun, when I as a tourist have seen this.

I will leave you to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[Silenthunder]

Being 62, myself, I'm not unfamiliar with the issues presented when just leaving the residence. At our age movement of any kind is beneficial to one's well being. Walking is one of the best exercises that you can engage in.

The importance of being practiced when considering the employment of the cane for self defense simply cannot be overstated. It is for that reason that I have adapted a personal exercise program surrounding the employment of the cane. A good "body-type" punching bag can be used to practice pokes and strikes, as well as practicing your footwork. If you are like most seniors, it is imperative to start off slow and gradually build your stamina. You may be huffing and puffing like a steam engine at first, but after a while you will notice that your practice sessions increase in length of time. The main thing is to dedicate yourself to your practice...IT'S FUN!!!

The one man I know of who has dedicated himself to educating women and seniors in the use of the cane is Ted Truscott. I recommend that you look over his site at: http://raisingcanes.net/

I have absolutely no connection to Mr. Truscott other than admiring the work he is doing.

I hope this helps.

 

[Rad]

Silenthunder: Good stuff! And I agree 100%! Thank you for the information and web page! I'm not a violent person, but I would not hesitate to use it to protect myself and my family -- besides, what you said about the practice being fun is true! Good to have you with us!

 

[Silenthunder]

Silenthunder: Good stuff! And I agree 100%! Thank you for the information and web page! I'm not a violent person, but I would not hesitate to use it to protect myself and my family -- besides, what you said about the practice being fun is true! Good to have you with us!

Thank you for your kind words. For me and my purposes my cane provides a great deal of deterrence. The thugs see it, and they know what it's there for; no one else pays too much attention to it. Thank you again.

 

[DerryhickPaddy]

Hazel and Holly are ideal wood species for sticks that can be used for self defence as well as a walking aid because they have the twin advantages of being light but tough.

http://www.derryhicksticks.com

 

[Ole Man Dan]

There are lots of fancy sticks for self defence out there (I own a few) -- but the old hickory crooked handle cane may be the most effective!
They are sturdy (good for thumping an attacker) and the crooked handle can quickly take someone off there feet! Of course the skill of the person wielding the stick means everything!

You can shorten the crook a little, and your stick becomes very handy for picking up things like shoes, or picking up the end of a fallen limb in your back yard. The stick also is handy for planting on the floor and leanind over to pick up things too.

(Guess I'm top heavy)

Don't cut it too short cause the utility of the hook is great for self defense. There are a couple of good books on cane fighting by martial artist. Even a video or so...