Bariatric Walking Stick Choices

b.c.molin

b.c.molin

Joined
Nov 28, 2008
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I use a very strong walking bariatric stick to help me walk both inside and outside the house.

Sadly my current stick is over 3 pounds in weight. It is 'dead' and 'slow' and lacks any feel.

I recently broke my favorite lighter weight stick due to over-loading its Derby style handle. Lucky the handle gave way while I had my other hand on a ramp support rail and didn't have an accident.

There is nothing I have so far found for sale in the traditional mobility aid walking stick market that appears to come close to the strength and lightness of the Cold Steel models below and I was hoping that someone may have had first hand experiences with either of these sticks:

Cold Steel Pistol Grip City Stick:
http://www.coldsteel.com/citystick.html

or

Cold Steel Irish Blackthorn Stick:
http://www.coldsteel.com/irishblackthorn.html

My concerns are:

* the City Stick: whether the screw-on threaded head/shaft bond will be strong enough to support my incredible bulk without the threads burring over time...with the fear it may break-off while being used.:eek:

* the Irish Blackthorn: whether it will be too flexible for use a proper bariatric walking stick and also that the head size will not offer enough hand support for extended use?

Thanks for any positive replies.
 
The City Stick's screw on head should not pose a problem burring as long as it is kept tight. If used when the handle is loose it could damage the threads. As for the Blackthorn, I don't know...made from polypropylene I would worry about it flexing under the weight of a heavy man. My Dad wanted a heavy duty cane and I bought him one of the Cold Steel Heavy Duty sword canes and he loves it. Of course they are not legal everywhere, you need to speak with a local lawyer before carrying one.
 
If you do a search,try it for blackthorne,there should be a pretty extensive thread from a couple months ago about canes but I'm pretty sure the cold steels were discussed.
 
Forget the Cold Steel polypropylene blackthorn. One of the guys here was messing with one and the top broke off.

Pat Crawford makes an all-metal hiking staff that breaks down to a 2' baton and 3' walking stick. With his T-handle on the walking stick, it might do the job for you.
 
I had the Irish Blackthorn by Cold Steel and the knob shattered. Its made of different plastic (brittle) than the very tough shaft.

I cut the broken part off and now just have a short stick .

the Pat Crawford and Canemasters are built tough, abd wortht he money.
 
The Crawford (Survival Staff) plus T-handle probably go for about $300 by now.
Canemasters are a bargain by any measure and are warmer in wintertime. :p
 
Your replies have given me the information I lacked plus new directions to consider.

Thank you very much.
 
Good luck in finding the right equipment!
You have my sympathy, from personal experience.
 
I can vouch for the sturdiness of the Canemasters. I have two.
Both are very basic hickory to avoid attention by overzealous babysitters at airports, but you can spice them up with custom options and have a cane with some very definite personality along with one that'll stand solid in daily use.
The derby style is typically a weaker design, as you found. But, if you get one specifically built and re-inforced for heavy weight and hard use, it should do what you need it to do.

Denis
 
I have lots of canes. My favorites are my Canemasters canes. And I am planning on picking up a new one after the holidays.

midnight-cst-thmb.jpg
 
How is the Pistol Grip Cane? I am looking into it, but I am curious about how large/comfortable the grip is...any help?
 
sawyermullen117 said:
How is the Pistol Grip Cane? I am looking into it, but I am curious about how large/comfortable the grip is...any help?
Click to expand...

I ended up purchasing a Mendowood Bristol walking stick with a Purple Wood handle. Sadly my weight was too much for the long wooden handle which cracked where it joined with the shank.

Upon notifying Mendowood I was immediately given a no questions asked full refund. Despite being advised there was no need, I returned the stick to them so as they could study it for research and development purposes.

Mendowood are a first class company with great customer service and I believe excellent products for folk of around 500pound or less if they need a traditional style handle. I wish I could have tried their Cambridge but it is not available in left handed models but I think this would hold a very heavy person without problems.

I am still thinking of the Pistol Grip City Stick but am concerned that due to my very heavy weight load the fiberglass in the Cold Steel cane would flex so much under load that it would feel a bit like a pushing down on a recurve long bow and have a too bouncy feel about it when out walking?:confused:

So I am still using the 3lb Chinese 700pound weight limit 'water pipe stick' until I find something else. :o :( :grumpy:

If you get the City Stick please let me know how you like it?
 
Bushman5 said:
Bonkers, check out the CS WALKABOUT stick. There is no way it will flex under a load.

http://www.tacticaldirect.com/images/Walkabout.gif
Click to expand...

Yes, I doubt that it would flex at all!;)

My problem is that I want a walking stick with a Derby or Pistol Grip to spread the pressure of my weight over more of the palm of my hand when out walking for long periods than the Walkabout or Irish Blackthorn style allows. :( :o
 
I understand your reasoning not to get a CS walkabout, but I have one and I
love it. Its very durable.
 
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