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A company called Cane Masters is selling canes expressly designed to be used a defensive weapons. They also conduct "cane-fu" classes for seniors around the country.

I read an article about this today in a print newspaper, which is not available online. However, there are many references to it on the web.

- Jim

Iratollah recently posted on a similar topic http://www.coldsteel.com/citystick.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I like the looks of the one with the skull, but the pistol grip model is probably more practical.
I can't wait until I am old enough, I mean seasoned enough, to use one.

Yes, after reading Ira's post I went to the Cold Steel web site to look. The plain one is appealing, the skull one is not my taste.

And I found myself concerned that buying a cane from an outfit called Cold Steel might not play well in court, if I ever had to use it as a defensive weapon. I was disgusted with myself for thinking that, but it is objectively a valid concern. Like Ayob's advice not to carry handloads for self-defense - it is it a "good shoot", i.e. a valid case of lawful self defense, the implement ought not to matter, but in certain locales it might.

Maybe I need a stainless 1911 instead of a black CZ75? Something pretty, not sinister looking?

Jim, thanks for the link to cane masters. So far I can walk ok, but when (not if) my flaky knee gives out, I think they will get a call from me.

Regards,
Andrew

BobCat wrote:And I found myself concerned that buying a cane from an outfit called Cold Steel might not play well in court,...

You take your chances with our sometimes absurd laws.

Legitimate self-defense cases are rarely prosecuted in Texas and most other states. District attorneys are elected officials, and few are stupid enough to prosecute someone who actually needs a cane for using it against a thug who is probably going to have a criminal record.

One thing is for sure: You will never be prosecuted for not defending yourself.

Jim, thanks for the link to cane masters.

You're welcome.

- Jim

Thank you for posting these web sites. I use a cane and both of these companies have products of interest.

I have a cane from Cane Masters. Very sturdy. When I fly I often carry it. A side benefit is that I often get preferential treatment since I am walking with a cane.

Where's Flint? Didn't he used to offer cane oriented self defense classes?

He is good w/ anything in his hands or nothing.
I still have my cane even though I got my knee replaced 1.5yr ago.
The very few times I have to go where I am not allowed to carry legally, weeeall, it just amazes me how much my knee hurts & how fast it seems to come on.

The very few times I have to go where I am not allowed to carry legally, weeeall, it just amazes me how much my knee hurts & how fast it seems to come on.

I think the proper medical name is SSB - Selective, Spontaneous Bursitis.

The walking stick is underrated for non-lethal first line self defense. I first started carrying one when I was in my 20's and would have issues with street people getting aggressive while we were leaving the Alley Theatre and returning to our car. You simply lift the stick onto your shoulder and it would be like Moses parting the Red Sea. Took one to Guatemala a couple of years ago and twice simply brandishing the stick was an effective deterrent when groups of street punks were becoming aggressive toward me or my daughters.

I heard about a PD that deployed plainclothes lures to resolve chronic street muggings. The one decoy that never got hassled was the officer disguised as an old person with a cane. BGs would just as soon not mess with someone carrying a stick.

I also consider a walking stick to be quite fashionable even though they went out of fashion about 100 years ago. I like the City Stick with the pistol grip handle as it looks more like a support type cane. You can take it anywhere, including onto airplanes and through customs in virtually any country. In Texas the only time I'm aware that it could be a problem would be at a political rally where it was obvious that you weren't using it as a walking aid since sticks over a certain thickness are prohibited at rallies and protest events.

State of Texas allows me to carry these:


And while State of Texas allows me to carry a concealed gun, for some odd reason the state does not allow me to carry a finely crafted piece of artwork such as this Burger Mark IV walking stick: