No sword canes ?

madcap_magician said:
Do you think people would accept the sword stick if you were also wearing a top hat, shoe spats, and coattails? 🤔
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I'm sure they would, but then you'd also be getting pestered by people wanting to know which production of "Titanic: The Musical" you were with, and how do they go about getting tickets. LOL
 
Quiet said:
I'm sure they would, but then you'd also be getting pestered by people wanting to know which production of "Titanic: The Musical" you were with, and how do they go about getting tickets. LOL
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Or maybe from a classier movie.
 
As mentioned, it's sales. People have tried to import high end ones from France where there were still a few firms left that make them, or have them built in China by Hanwei, etc.... and they quickly find out they're slow movers. They're also expensive and time consuming to make well. It's similar to the small (but much larger) market for true antique Bowie knife reproductions, every one is interested till they see the price.
 
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In Florida, you would need a concealed weapons permit to carry a sword cane.

The ones that I have held in my hands could barely be used as weapons because the handles were so inadequate.
 
lonestag said:
There doesn't seem to be any l interest in in sword canes here or in the knife world at all that I can see. Curious as to why? I get that there's legal concern's or practical use issues, but I think an interesting part of the collectors world is being ignored. I had a disabled friend years ago who had a beautiful and costly example that rarely left his side. It was sturdy and fearsome. It supported him in more than one way. So I wonder if there is a place for quality sword canes in our world today? I plan to buy the couple of examples Cold Steel offers. Thanks in advance for your opinion and suggestions
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Just posted some pics here of my Cold Steel HD : https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sword-canes.1913575/

Probably I'll add some discussion there later . 🥷
 
I always thought sword canes were a cool, gentlemanly thing growing up. Then, I saw them as just another mall ninja type thing in catalogs like SMKW and US Cavalry. However, while recovering from my ordeal in the hospital in 2018/19, I had difficulty finding a cane tall enough for me. I ended up getting a carved walking stick, made from hickory. It was very nice, albeit heavy. Shortly after I was able to walk without it, I was able to get my CC permit, and never thought about canes again.


I've always liked swords (and martial arts) and I used to fence. I have frequent Nerf sword (and gun) fights with my nephews, and I've tried to teach the older two the principals of fencing, but the 8 years wants to spin like a ninja.

If other things in my life didn't demand much of my time and finances, I might looking into getting a sword cane just for the hell of it. Of course I'd probably end up with a custom made one with ebony wood cane and a magnacut blade.
 
Quiet said:
If you aren't walking with an immediately obvious physically issue, a cane stands out pretty clearly as someone carrying a weapon. I conceal carry a firearm for protection, walking around with an obvious stick wouldn't interest me in the slightest. Not to mention, men carrying canes as a stylistic choice pretty much went away with shoe spats and top hats. 🤷
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Oh yeah?

At Amon Amarth concert before it started:

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And how else you gonna meet Spidergirl, huh?

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Without a stick, I would have looked like a dork. ;)


Plus, my back decides to give out at random times, so a walking stick looks way classier than falling to the ground and doing some sort of break-fall...possibly rolling onto a discarded syringe these days.
 
They are illegal to own/carry in most places, most people don't walk w/canes anymore and I've never ever seen one for sale.

Also, while I wouldn't mind owning or buying one, in this day and age, I'd prefer carrying a pocket/fixed blade knife as a back up to a handgun.
 
I knew a man in the 1980s that collected antique sword canes.
Walking sticks at times were in fashion.
Today I believe that they would be illegal in most states........even if used as a walking aide.
 
Yes canes are out of fashion now. Today's equivalent might be a Rascal scooter with an ejector seat.
 
Nixelplix said:
Yes canes are out of fashion now.
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Yet I very often get compliments on my walking stick.
49" Hawthorne, quite nice.

The fact that all the rest of you are slaves to what is "fashionable" makes me stand out in a good way, so it seems. :D
 
Antique sword canes are very collectable, and rarely sell for sell than $500 with a majority going into 4 figures. The blades vary quite a bit; from 3-4" to over 20" in length, and in a number of different styles. European blades tend towards fencing or what used to be called short swords, or knives. Japanese sword canes are unusual in that they have very little (if any) curve. Indian / South Asian tend to be cruder. This is just my opinion from looking at those I've seen (several hundred). Most American ones I've seen have European blades. I've often wondered if they were part of the normal knife trade prior to 1900.

Blades for sticking have not been confined to canes. I have a riding quirt with a 16" blade in it. I've seen hiking staves with blades, and old military swagger sticks also. And umbrellas.

Just as a side note, vintage canes are also collectable, and can command a hefty price. especially of the provenance can be tied to a historical figure.

I have a Cold Steel sword cane. It's a bit heavy, and not as well balanced as I would like if I was using it. But it's easily able to handle the weight of anyone who needed support. Plus it's strictly a piercing weapon. I think that a slashing blade makes a lot more sense for use. (Again, just my opinion.)

There are several companies offering new sword canes. Burger sword canes are available, but again, not cheap. They can be made to size. Personally I'm not fond of the release they use, but they are much better balanced than the CS.

Gun canes are also uncommon. Skeeter Skelton wrote about a man he knew back in the early 1900's who carried one. I've seen them with a number of different loading mechanisms, but they all are quite obvious if you know what you're looking at. My concern would be fouling the end of the barrel, which is never good. Again, there are legal issues with these, and they are unusual, hard to find, and not cheap.
 
stabman said:
Or if sword canes aren't your thing, why not a stone axe cane? :cool:

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I live in a metro area, but to be honest you uh.....like, people see you with that walking stick, they're going to be like "Yeah, that fits". If I walked around with one of those, it would be pretty incongruous and out of place. You look like one of the hill people who comes to town every other month for supplies, so I'm sure people don't hassle you. LOL

If I were carrying a cane with my usual every day attire, it's going to be out of place and attention grabbing. Honestly, I've never seen a young person with a cane, and I live in the greater Orlando area, so that would be something I'd notice pretty much immediately. I can't speak for others, but the last thing I want is to have everyone's eyes on me when I walk in somewhere. 🤷

Also, had to edit to add, you absolutely would not get into a concert here with a large staff like that, I know that for a fact, no matter who's playing. Security at public events don't play. Carrying what looks like a short quarter staff with an explanation of "It's for my back" wouldn't fly.
 
I actually own a Cold Steel sword cane. I bought it several years ago with $$ I received for Christmas. I do not need a cane to walk, but thought it was cool, which it is. It is legal here in KY with a concealed carry permit (which I have). It might scare someone if I had to use it for self defense, but I bet my .40 Glock would also. I don't know anything about sword fighting, but it does have a sharp point.
 
Quiet said:
I live in a metro area, but to be honest you uh.....like, people see you with that walking stick, they're going to be like "Yeah, that fits". If I walked around with one of those, it would be pretty incongruous and out of place. You look like one of the hill people who comes to town every other month for supplies, so I'm sure people don't hassle you. LOL

If I were carrying a cane with my usual every day attire, it's going to be out of place and attention grabbing. Honestly, I've never seen a young person with a cane, and I live in the greater Orlando area, so that would be something I'd notice pretty much immediately. I can't speak for others, but the last thing I want is to have everyone's eyes on me when I walk in somewhere. 🤷

Also, had to edit to add, you absolutely would not get into a concert here with a large staff like that, I know that for a fact, no matter who's playing. Security at public events don't play. Carrying what looks like a short quarter staff with an explanation of "It's for my back" wouldn't fly.
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I have the CT scan results with me in case people try to object. Doctor's note saying cane is required as well. Thinking ahead makes things work better. ;)

All they said was "Don't hit anyone with it." :cool:

Biggest issue I ever had was at a Comic-con. But, once again, medical documentation trumps door officials. They just put an orange piece of tape on the bottom of it to show it had been inspected.
 
Alberta Ed said:
They would likely fall under the concealed weapons category in a lot of jurisdictions. While popular in fiction (Sherlock Holmes' partner Watson carries one), a singlestick probably would be just as effective.
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Point of order, was that in a movie? 😃. I remember him carrying a revolver in the books and upon occasion Holmes had a riding crop but I don't remember any sword canes?
 
Triton said:
Point of order, was that in a movie? 😃. I remember him carrying a revolver in the books and upon occasion Holmes had a riding crop but I don't remember any sword canes?
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Didn't he use a dueling cane, not a sword came? It's been 20+ years since I read any of the Holmes books.
 
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