A few months ago, my doctor said that a cane would be helpful when the pain in my back and hip was at its worst. (He was correct.)
My first cane was an aluminum adjustable length cane. I hated the look and feel of it.
I then ordered a Amish shepherd’s staff. I cut it to a useable length and truncated the hook end so it resembled a cane. It was made of steam bent ash. I sanded and stained it and added a tongue oil finish.
The problem with canes is they tend to shorten your strides, which is fine when the pain is bad, but when it is only marginal, it slows you down.
A walking stick, on the other hand, if the ball end fits your hand well, and the weight is appropriate will swing naturally either matching your normal gait, or if it is heavier, swing a longer arc and lengthen your gait.
I went to the hobby store where they had wooden balls of various sizes and determined that 2-1/4” diameter is perfect for my hand.
It turns out that billiards balls are 2-1/4” diameter and are made from Bakelite, a durable thermoset plastic.
My first attempt was using 1/2” diameter fiberglass pultrusion. The resulting shaft is very strong. I drilled a half inch diameter hole in the 8-ball, half way through the ball. I used epoxy to fasten the ball to the shaft. The black “finish” is electrical shrink tubing. I added a 1/2” diameter crutch tip. The total weight is 14.1 ounces.
Two problems: Too light to swing naturally, and the tips were only lasting two weeks. At that rate I would be spending about $80.00 per year on crutch tips and constantly examining them and replacing them.
Next, I repeated using red oak dowel for the shaft (1” diameter). Total weight, 17 ounces. Still a bit too light for a naturally swinging stride. Also “finished” with shrink tubing. The crutch tip is just over 6 months old and is probably going to have to be replaced soon.
Finally, I repeated with 1” diameter fiberglass pultrusion. At 2 pounds 6 ounces possibly slightly heavier than I required. A diameter of 3/4” would probably be better. I am happy enough with this to not make any more of these.
I added a miniature stainless steel pintle eye which I also epoxied in place.
The nylon cord was added as a wrist strap (very handy).
If anyone wants to make a similar item, I can offer some construction tips. The entire assembly takes about 45 minutes, but a couple hours for the epoxy to fully cure.
If anyone is interested in making one of these, let me know and I will post some assembly tips.
My first cane was an aluminum adjustable length cane. I hated the look and feel of it.
I then ordered a Amish shepherd’s staff. I cut it to a useable length and truncated the hook end so it resembled a cane. It was made of steam bent ash. I sanded and stained it and added a tongue oil finish.
The problem with canes is they tend to shorten your strides, which is fine when the pain is bad, but when it is only marginal, it slows you down.
A walking stick, on the other hand, if the ball end fits your hand well, and the weight is appropriate will swing naturally either matching your normal gait, or if it is heavier, swing a longer arc and lengthen your gait.
I went to the hobby store where they had wooden balls of various sizes and determined that 2-1/4” diameter is perfect for my hand.
It turns out that billiards balls are 2-1/4” diameter and are made from Bakelite, a durable thermoset plastic.
My first attempt was using 1/2” diameter fiberglass pultrusion. The resulting shaft is very strong. I drilled a half inch diameter hole in the 8-ball, half way through the ball. I used epoxy to fasten the ball to the shaft. The black “finish” is electrical shrink tubing. I added a 1/2” diameter crutch tip. The total weight is 14.1 ounces.
Two problems: Too light to swing naturally, and the tips were only lasting two weeks. At that rate I would be spending about $80.00 per year on crutch tips and constantly examining them and replacing them.
Next, I repeated using red oak dowel for the shaft (1” diameter). Total weight, 17 ounces. Still a bit too light for a naturally swinging stride. Also “finished” with shrink tubing. The crutch tip is just over 6 months old and is probably going to have to be replaced soon.
Finally, I repeated with 1” diameter fiberglass pultrusion. At 2 pounds 6 ounces possibly slightly heavier than I required. A diameter of 3/4” would probably be better. I am happy enough with this to not make any more of these.
I added a miniature stainless steel pintle eye which I also epoxied in place.
The nylon cord was added as a wrist strap (very handy).
If anyone wants to make a similar item, I can offer some construction tips. The entire assembly takes about 45 minutes, but a couple hours for the epoxy to fully cure.
If anyone is interested in making one of these, let me know and I will post some assembly tips.
