# What Happend To Canes? (Waking Sticks) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 14, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017 "2009-04-14T01:44:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/21 "2009-04-14T13:15:08Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Fun fact about canes and single crutches: > > The correct way to use them is opposite the afflicted leg. So if your left knee is injured, you hold your cane in your right hand. Because when we walk naturally our hands and feet come forward on opposite sides. This way you maintain your natural gait while still taking weight off the bad leg/adding stability. Some people don’t get this concept, and they look like a lurching monster or peg legged pirate. Except for those of us who use it to take a lot of the weight off the particular limb. I dont use a cane to steady me, I use it to partially replace my right leg. oddly enough my PT taught me to use it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/22 "2009-04-14T13:21:23Z")
My partner usually uses one of [these](http://www.whistlingtortoise.co.uk/mobility/elite-folding-cane-patterned/prod_49.html) whenever she’s walking. She’s being assessed for a hip replacement later this week, so hopefully she won’t need a stick after that… ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/23 "2009-04-14T14:42:10Z")
I’ve seen quite a few people in the last year or so walking with canes that don’t need them. How do I know they don’t need them, you ask? They are literally dragging the cane behind them and the front part of the rubber piece is filed down at an angle, making it obvious that the cane never bears any weight and is simply used as a weapon or something and is regularly dragged behind them against the cement. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/24 "2009-04-14T15:11:06Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Except for those of us who use it to take a lot of the weight off the particular limb. I dont use a cane to steady me, I use it to partially replace my right leg. > > oddly enough my PT taught me to use it that way. I use a cane for the same reason as you but I use it in the opposite hand. Works well for me. _shrugs_ I did try it on the same side and it just didn’t feel right and every guide I’ve seen says to use opposite hand. I have seen mentioned that House uses same hand. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/25 "2009-04-14T15:19:09Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Fun fact about canes and single crutches: > > The correct way to use them is opposite the afflicted leg. So if your left knee is injured, you hold your cane in your right hand. Because when we walk naturally our hands and feet come forward on opposite sides. This way you maintain your natural gait while still taking weight off the bad leg/adding stability. Some people don’t get this concept, and they look like a lurching monster or peg legged pirate. I occasionally use a cane to compensate for leg pain, which can occur in either leg. No matter which side the pain is on, I always have the cane in my right hand, because the slight lack of smoothness and balance from helping my right leg with my right arm is much better than the moderate loss of support from trying to place the cane correctly with my left arm. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/26 "2009-04-14T15:20:44Z")
How about walking sticks for hiking? Aren’t they popular in Germany? Why not here in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/27 "2009-04-14T15:29:07Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > I’ve seen quite a few people in the last year or so walking with canes that don’t need them. How do I know they don’t need them, you ask? They are literally dragging the cane behind them and the front part of the rubber piece is filed down at an angle, making it obvious that the cane never bears any weight and is simply used as a weapon or something and is regularly dragged behind them against the cement. Did they really _drag_ the canes after them or did they perhaps use them as nordic walking poles like in [the animation on this page](http://www.richtig-nordic-walking.de/)? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/28 "2009-04-14T15:43:20Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > Did they really _drag_ the canes after them or did they perhaps use them as nordic walking poles like in [the animation on this page](http://www.richtig-nordic-walking.de/)? That’s how hiking staffs/walking sticks are used, adds the upper body strength to assist the legs over rough or steep terrain. A cane is usually used to compensate for an injured or weak leg and stays mostly in an upright orientation. Someone who needs to use a cane would not be able to “stride out” like in the animation. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/29 "2009-04-14T15:48:49Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > I’ve seen quite a few people in the last year or so walking with canes that don’t need them. How do I know they don’t need them, you ask? They are literally dragging the cane behind them and the front part of the rubber piece is filed down at an angle, making it obvious that the cane never bears any weight and is simply used as a weapon or something and is regularly dragged behind them against the cement. The might have been Steampunkers, failing to take care of their accessories? Someone ought to teach them better. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/30 "2009-04-14T16:18:43Z")
> [@T.Slothrop](#): > > I saw an older gentleman on the street yesterday with an unusual cane. The top was bent in a standard cane half loop. Most of the rest of it was shaped like a baseball bat. The baseball bat shape ended abruptly (90 degrees) about two inches from the bottom of the cane. the last two inches on the bottom was a straight wooden peg an inch and a half in diameter with a rubber cup on it like many canes. > > I assume you could make one by drilling out a baseball bat and inserting and then glueing a cane inside it. Part of the wide part of the bat was probably cut off to make it to the right length for that particular gentleman with the two inches of cane on the bottom. > > I was driving and he was walking so I didn’t get the chance to examine it or to ask him how it was made. I assume he carries it to ward off dogs/hitmen/insurance salesmen. He might just be a baseball fan. [Example.](http://www.caneandunable.com/index.cfm) ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/31 "2009-04-14T18:57:17Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Did we just reach a point in medicine where people who used to use canes, got cured of whatever they needed them for? I think this is a big part of it. I know of several people who had successful knee surgeries or knee replacements, who walk just fine afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/32 "2009-04-14T19:00:39Z")
I have a cane from [Canemasters](http://www.canemasters.com/). An excellent cane and a great weapon to boot. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/33 "2009-04-14T19:12:06Z")
I used a cane for a few months when I was 25. I was waiting for back surgery and the sciatica in my left leg was so bad that my leg couldn’t bear full weight. I continued to use it after my surgery, until my therapist told me I didn’t need it anymore. It helped a lot and I was never embarrassed to be seen out in public with it. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/34 "2009-04-14T19:17:38Z")
as long as we’re talking 'bout using canes, can we talk about their history, too? Victorian gentlemen carried canes at all times\*. Why ? And when did the custom die out? \*(at least in the movies – where else would I get my education 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/35 "2009-04-14T19:19:33Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > as long as we’re talking 'bout using canes, can we talk about their history, too? > > Victorian gentlemen carried canes at all times\*. Why ? > And when did the custom die out? > > \*(at least in the movies – where else would I get my education 🙂 ) As far as I am given to understand, the walking stick was a sign of prestige, a mark of a true gentleman. Especially a well cared for stick. ETA: I think the custom was in place before the Victorian times though. It seems to me that a historical type site (which I visited some time back) that let you dress the various classes in their proper garments gave the upper class gentleman a stick. I believe it would be Colonial times, but maybe somewhat later. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/36 "2009-04-14T19:24:32Z")
Aye, it was the Colonial Williamsburg site, the “Dressing The Part” interactive feature found [here](http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/history/clothing/intro/index.cfm). ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/37 "2009-04-14T22:13:48Z")
Several years ago I sprained my ankle badly and used a cane for a while. It’s a simple wooden cane, with a rubber tip and the usual curved handle at the top. It belonged to my great grandfather, whom died when my mother was a little girl. She remembers when he lived with her family before he passed, and used the cane because he was blind for the last two years. She’d be delegated to lead him outside to the outhouse, and recalls hearing the cane go “tap tap tap” along the walk. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/38 "2009-04-14T22:41:45Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > Check out [Abney Park’s site](http://www.abneypark.com/) for other takes on Steampunk. Some go more [sci fi](http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/generic/aab5/), others stick to the Victorian flair. For a glimpse of how people really work the look, take a look at the various sets in this [polyvore group](http://www.polyvore.com/steampunk/group.show?id=6644). (There are some outfits for guys in there, but not too many.) I never go anyplace that’s both formal and funky enough for the full-on look. I’m just wondering if I could work parts of it into a stylish, current wardrobe without looking like I’m in costume. And I do like a nice vest. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/39 "2009-04-14T22:44:10Z")
I love walking sticks and canes and wish they would make a comeback. Hanging out with a nonagenarian relative, I noticed man canes. However, almost all of them were just standard adjustable stainless steel same as the walkers. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017/40 "2009-04-14T23:09:11Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I never go anyplace that’s both formal and funky enough for the full-on look. I’m just wondering if I could work parts of it into a stylish, current wardrobe without looking like I’m in costume. > > And I do like a nice vest. I have a friend who has some of the best victorian steam punkish vest that he wears instead off the one that matches his 3 piece suits … and a cream silk cravat with stickpin instead of a boring old tie. I really wish I had a picture of him in it, looks great. My favorite one is a red brocade one, some chinese brocade with a smallish patterning. How about that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happend-to-canes-waking-sticks/493017.md?page=3)