Thread: Walking Sticks, Hiking Staves and Gentlemans Canes

So I've acquired a new interest of late...Well the interest was always there in one form or another, but it was brought home recently due to a minor injury. Over the years I've managed to sprain ankles quite a few times, the result of many years running and martial arts training (alas this has been impossible for soem time now). Now I seem to be able to hurt these joints much more easily, whether this is the result of past activities or just plain getting older and heavier, I don't know.
Of late, I've needed the aid of a walking stick, having once again managed to injure my left ankle. It's not so bad now. I can walk without the aid of a cane, but the joint tires and weakens quickly with any sort of distance, outside of wandering around the house, so I seem to have a constant companion in my walking stick.
I hate the bloody thing. I'm not old enough. Even if I am going very grey in the beard. I have visions of being set upon by gangs of youths because I look decrepit and easy prey (they might be in for a rude shock if they think that though). I'm currently in the process of making a walking stick with a little less of the crook'd old man stick I currently have. Something more akin to a Shillelagh. I'm using a hardwood hoe handle cut down to size and shaping it.

Which brings me to the reason for this thread. Who here uses, or carries by choice, a cane or stick designed for walking either as an aid or as a fashion statement?
What are the reasons you carry one, if not just as an aid or fashion statement? Bartitsu or La Canne practitioners speak up here.

Heres my current cane. I've tried to customise it with a bit of french grape vine lace work and round plaiting (braiding) on the handle. It'll do for now until my homemade one gets done.





Mick