Ti cane

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Jan 10, 2000
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283
I did a search and found an earlier topic on the possibility of making a ti cane. There was an issue as to the weight though. I am curious as to the weight of a 36" titanium cane that was 5/8" in diameter. I was also curious of the strength factor. For example could a cane this size safely stop a swung baseball bat? Please forgive my ignorance of titanium as I have had very limited experience with it.
 
Bandit,

I think it is an interesting idea to say the least. Would it stop a baseball bat? Probably so, Ti is pretty strong...it might get slightly bent taking a full power wack and your hands would really take a beating. If it saves your life though, that is a good thing!

What would you use for a handle? I mean, you could heat the end with a torch and bend it into a crook...I don't know how that would effect the overall strength of the piece.

Look at a 5.5 inch Koppo Stick for $65.00 and I think you can see that you are looking at an expensive endeavor. Then again, there are other canes out there for over $500.00
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I was thinking more along the lines of a straight cane without the crook top. Depending on the weight this would make an excellent defensive tool against a baton, knife, or bat...And be legal to boot.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bandit:
I did a search and found an earlier topic on the possibility of making a ti cane. There was an issue as to the weight though. I am curious as to the weight of a 36" titanium cane that was 5/8" in diameter. I was also curious of the strength factor. For example could a cane this size safely stop a swung baseball bat? Please forgive my ignorance of titanium as I have had very limited experience with it.</font>

Not quite OT, but have you considered aluminum. I have the cane section of Pat Crawford's Survival Staff. This is heavy tubing, threaded to accept a steel "ice" tip at the bottom, and the blade/handle fittings at the top. With the blade installed and the "T" handle, and a rubber crutch tip, its' weight is almost identical to my Cane Masters oak fighting stick. As to breakage, I am sure a non-deflected, 90 degree shot from a baseball bat will be cause for a trip back to Pat's shop. Years ago, my oldest son was in instructors training with Tak Kubota's partner, in a PR-24 class. He was blocking full-house blows from a Louisville Slugger (swung by the instructor) by holding the baton by the side handle, along the bottom of his forearm. The baton shattered and one of the state troopers present took him to Fayetteville to have the resulting blood blister lanced and drained. He never lost a day of duty. Point is (finally) that anything you use will sustain damage from a hard attack. Question is, do you want to use a $70 oak cane, a $200 alum. tubular cane or a $?00 Ti bar/tube and then replace it. Weight of just about any useable cane will be between 2-3 lbs., heavy enough to deliver devastating strikes, and with luck keep same away from you.
 
Walosi,

Funny you should mention Pat Crawford and CaneMasters in the same post! Pat Crawford makes excellent knives and exotica. CaneMasters Canes are also excellent Self-defense Tools as well.

Your points are well taken and your information is valuable to us all. I think that anyone would prefer to use footwork, body angling, parrying and deflection rather than take a full hit from anything, including blades. One should work at making that a reality. I don't think that Bandit it looking for the weapon/tool to make up for lack of skill in this area, just to accentuate the skill with the toughest thing he can carry. Your points are nonetheless very good and should be considered by anyone contemplating this subject.

Pat Crawford and CaneMasters, Man cannot live on JSP alone...heh heh heh.

 
Originally posted by Don Rearic:
Walosi,

Funny you should mention Pat Crawford and CaneMasters in the same post! Pat Crawford makes excellent knives and exotica. CaneMasters Canes are also excellent Self-defense Tools as well.

I mentioned them because I use them (to walk), but didn't think the poster would necessarily be contemplating _taking_ a full shot as much as considering the vulnerability of Ti vs. other mtrl. I have partially lost the use of my legs, and a stick is a requirement. At the same time, my "street profile" has changed from 220 lbs., 6'1" and not very pretty, to 180 lbs., slightly bent with a cane. My joke is that I'm too old to heal fast, too beat up to run fast, and too hardheaded to just stand there and hand it over. I carry one of several handguns that may not be useable depending on terrain/situation, a Dozier "Toothpick" for close (grappling) quarters, but the stick may just well be my first line of defense. For all my cogitating, some very good help from an Arnis ex-champ, and as much practice as possible, I'm always on the lookout for some useful item, normally carryable, that may increase any edge I can find. Thanks for your god comments
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Bandit: A lower cost alternative might be to find solid aluminum bar stock between .75-1.0 inches in diameter--one of those will be the right weight for you, limited maintenance, & plenty strong. In my neck of the woods (the VERY overpriced SF Bay Area), 3 feet of such stock cut to length runs about $15.

Run some 0000 steel wool with oil on it to get the thing nominally shiny w/minimal scratching--about a 2-5 minute job. Add a crutch tip & improvise a "top" & you should be good to go. I'm still looking for a top for mine, among other projects.

BTW, if you're going to block a baseball bat or other club, move into the attacker, reducing the amount of force you'll receive. The best advice I've ever seen printed on this is in Marc MacYoung's "Taking it to the Street": 'If you face a linear kick, get off the line. If you face a circular kick, complete the circle.' Read "attack" for "kick" and you can save yourself a lot of wear & tear.
 
Bandit

Check out onlinemetals.com. You can get a 36" length of 5/8" round stock bar for just under $190.00. It wehghs in at about 2 1/2 lbs. Not at all too heavy. It machines easily. I think it could be threaded to accept a knob or other handel.

I just reciently bought a piece just like that. It is quite stout. I didn't hit it with or on anything but I did swing it a bit.

Good luck with your idea. Keep us posted.

I do not work for onlinemetals just in case anyone was wondering. I just like to play with metal.

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Later, Jim
 
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