Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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New Cane (self.Blind)
submitted by k00l_m00se
There's been a lot of fights at my school lately, and there's been a mugging or two not too far from me, so I'm looking for a new cane, either aluminum or wood, for daily use but also for self defense, as I am seen as a target, because I am very tall, and also blind. My currently daily driver is a carbon fiber NFB non folding cane, which is very nice, especially for travelling long distances because it is super light, but it's very flimsy, and in rough shape after a few short months. I briefly used an Ambutech folding aluminum cane, but it was very shoddily made and wouldn't stay together, but I absolutely loved the weight and feel of it. Is there any companies that make non folding, 62" aluminum or wooden guide canes? I was a black belt in taekwondo before I lost my sight, but it relies too much on my sight to be practical anymore. I do plan on learning wing chun soon, as it relies on close up hand to hand fighting, which is much more practical given my situation. I also want to be able to defend myself as I will be living alone for college in 2 short years, in a new city. Do y'all have any recommendations?
KillerLag 3 points 6y ago
You can get a non-folding aluminium cane, but there are a few issues with using it for self defence.
One, at 60 inches, you would be carrying around a 5 foot long pole, but that grade of aluminium is not particularly strong. I can bend it with my hands. It wouldn't particuarly work well as a weapon, and the other two materials are even weaker. If anything, a support cane would be the most suitable, as they use weight-bearing materials.
Two, if someone was to mug you, they may easily have a weapon. Something as simple as a knife can be quite dangerous, and a gun much more so. Is the prospect of being stabbed and killed worth the contents of your wallet? I have no idea how much you have in your wallet, but your life and safety would likely be more valuable.
Three, I had a client with a cane who had been attacked. He attempted to defend himself with his cane, which results in it being taken by the attacker, and then stabbed in the neck for his trouble (he survived, because he was able to get to a main street and get assistance). Even if you swung a non-folding cane against someone, it doesn't particularly do much damage.
Four, you should consider looking up progams for people with vision loss to defend yourself.
http://www.1touchproject.com/
http://www.blindcanadians.ca/publications/cbm/11/blind-students-learn-self-defence
Five, if you absolutely want to learn how to use the cane, there is apparently a 'cane-fu" class that is taught.
http://www.thestate.com/news/nation-world/national/article79212682.html
However, I can tell you that most of those techniques don't work as well as they make it sound like. Whacking someone on the shins sound like a great idea.... except I get whacked on the shins at least once a week by a client, and I don't even bother saying anything anymore. The cane has speed, but low mass, and is designed for minimal damage. I had a client throw a folded up cane at me before, and it just bounced off my shoulder. It hurt a little, but wouldn't have really been able to stop me.
Sixth, depending on your state, there may be more effective weapons that a cane. You should check into your state's laws regarding the use of foldable knives, constant companion knives, or kobutans.
One, at 60 inches, you would be carrying around a 5 foot long pole, but that grade of aluminium is not particularly strong. I can bend it with my hands. It wouldn't particuarly work well as a weapon, and the other two materials are even weaker. If anything, a support cane would be the most suitable, as they use weight-bearing materials.
Two, if someone was to mug you, they may easily have a weapon. Something as simple as a knife can be quite dangerous, and a gun much more so. Is the prospect of being stabbed and killed worth the contents of your wallet? I have no idea how much you have in your wallet, but your life and safety would likely be more valuable.
Three, I had a client with a cane who had been attacked. He attempted to defend himself with his cane, which results in it being taken by the attacker, and then stabbed in the neck for his trouble (he survived, because he was able to get to a main street and get assistance). Even if you swung a non-folding cane against someone, it doesn't particularly do much damage.
Four, you should consider looking up progams for people with vision loss to defend yourself.
http://www.1touchproject.com/
http://www.blindcanadians.ca/publications/cbm/11/blind-students-learn-self-defence
Five, if you absolutely want to learn how to use the cane, there is apparently a 'cane-fu" class that is taught.
http://www.thestate.com/news/nation-world/national/article79212682.html
However, I can tell you that most of those techniques don't work as well as they make it sound like. Whacking someone on the shins sound like a great idea.... except I get whacked on the shins at least once a week by a client, and I don't even bother saying anything anymore. The cane has speed, but low mass, and is designed for minimal damage. I had a client throw a folded up cane at me before, and it just bounced off my shoulder. It hurt a little, but wouldn't have really been able to stop me.
Sixth, depending on your state, there may be more effective weapons that a cane. You should check into your state's laws regarding the use of foldable knives, constant companion knives, or kobutans.
k00l_m00se [OP] 2 points 6y ago
Thank you for the advice. It's mostly wannabe gangster high schoolers trying to jump people. I suppose mugging was the wrong term. They beat people up because it makes them look hard, not for money. I'm a very tall and very big guy, at 6'3" and 170 pounds. My current cane is 60", and a tad short. Are aluminum canes really that flimsy? My ambutech one weighed in at nearly a pound and a half, and that thing seriously hurt to be hit with. It very thick, and left significant bruises on my friends and I when we tested them on each other. I don't really care if it's heavy. I think I'd rather just pick up a new style of martial arts than take a self defense class. There's barely a blind community in my town, and our Lighthouse is geared towards kids. I have about 6 years of taekwondo experience, and although we didn't ever fight with weapons, I most definitely know what I'm doing. I don't really intend to hurt anyone, just to keep them away and from hurting me. Even if it doesn't work out for that, I still would like a single piece heavyweight cane. My state only allows handguns for self defense, either concealed carry or open carried. Clubs and knives aren't exactly illegal, but you can't really bring them into places, school especially. Once again, thank you for the advice. Off topic, but I really respect the work you do man, being an O&M teacher cannot be an easy job, major respect to you
KillerLag 1 points 6y ago
For being an O&M instructor, some days are easier than others. Most of my clients are pretty good and friendly, but I've had people with mental health issues, other health issues, etc. Been spat at (they missed) and had doors slammed in my face. But it's part of the job.
Weird they allow guns, but not knives. Since you have some background in martial arts, definitely look up a kubotan. While it counts as a weapon (in some areas), there are LOTS of items that fit the profile that aren't weapons (personally, I carry a high powered flashlight as well as a large sharpie. Both easily legitimate items for me to carry, but can use them quickly if things go south).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubotan
Some aluminum canes are weaker than others. Is the brand you use Ambutech? That is the major brand in Canada, and they are pretty weak. It is possible the newer ones with the proper locking mechanisms are stronger, I haven't tried bending them to see yet. The fiberglass ones are definitely weaker, I've seen them break in use. The graphite isn't as strong as aluminium, but it also depends on the enviroment. I've seen them shatter in cold weather before.
I should also mention, trying to win a fight with one person is going to be hard enough... winning a fight with multiple people would be much, MUCH harder. They have the advantage in virtually every regard. They pick the target, they pick the time, they pick the place. Have you considered krav maga? That particular martial art isn't for everyone, but one thing they do train for is against multiple opponents.
Weird they allow guns, but not knives. Since you have some background in martial arts, definitely look up a kubotan. While it counts as a weapon (in some areas), there are LOTS of items that fit the profile that aren't weapons (personally, I carry a high powered flashlight as well as a large sharpie. Both easily legitimate items for me to carry, but can use them quickly if things go south).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubotan
Some aluminum canes are weaker than others. Is the brand you use Ambutech? That is the major brand in Canada, and they are pretty weak. It is possible the newer ones with the proper locking mechanisms are stronger, I haven't tried bending them to see yet. The fiberglass ones are definitely weaker, I've seen them break in use. The graphite isn't as strong as aluminium, but it also depends on the enviroment. I've seen them shatter in cold weather before.
I should also mention, trying to win a fight with one person is going to be hard enough... winning a fight with multiple people would be much, MUCH harder. They have the advantage in virtually every regard. They pick the target, they pick the time, they pick the place. Have you considered krav maga? That particular martial art isn't for everyone, but one thing they do train for is against multiple opponents.
k00l_m00se [OP] 1 points 6y ago
I briefly used an Ambutech but it didn't last long at all. It was brand new, fresh out of the box when I got it before the locking mechanisms gave out. My best friend's dad is a professor of engineering, and said that the cane was too heavy and long for the locking mechanisms. Needless to say, my school district's O&M guy said that he'll be blacklisting their canes, as he's had this problem multiple times before. Luckily I keep a folding graphite cane in my band director's office just in case my cane breaks. It's a little short for me and very wobbly, but it makes an okay backup.
I'm relatively familiar with Krav Maga. I learned how to disarm people who have a knife or gun, which is handy. I do have an advantage in a fight, because people are scared of me for some reason. I'm the only blind guy most of them have ever met I guess, and the cane and sunglasses must scare them. Most of the guys doing the jumping are medium to small sized. Like I said, high school punks. My intention isn't to fight them, just to keep them at bay until someone comes and helps out or I manage to hurt one of them so the others run. If I got in a fight with one of the football players I'd be screwed, but they're dumb and tend to do it in the middle of the halls, which historically never ends well for them.
I would love a kubotan, but that is most definitely not kosher at school. They'd suspend me the second anyone saw it, or anything remotely similar. That's why I'd prefer to just have my cane be my weapon, as I always have that with me and in use. No need to reach for anything, just swing it as hard as I can at them and they're down. My biggest problem is that I really can't smuggle anything in that could help me. People have gotten in trouble just for having a tiny little pocket knife on them, and anything club-like would go over even worse. Looks like I may have to commission something special from a metal or wood shop, if there isn't something available for me mass market
I'm relatively familiar with Krav Maga. I learned how to disarm people who have a knife or gun, which is handy. I do have an advantage in a fight, because people are scared of me for some reason. I'm the only blind guy most of them have ever met I guess, and the cane and sunglasses must scare them. Most of the guys doing the jumping are medium to small sized. Like I said, high school punks. My intention isn't to fight them, just to keep them at bay until someone comes and helps out or I manage to hurt one of them so the others run. If I got in a fight with one of the football players I'd be screwed, but they're dumb and tend to do it in the middle of the halls, which historically never ends well for them.
I would love a kubotan, but that is most definitely not kosher at school. They'd suspend me the second anyone saw it, or anything remotely similar. That's why I'd prefer to just have my cane be my weapon, as I always have that with me and in use. No need to reach for anything, just swing it as hard as I can at them and they're down. My biggest problem is that I really can't smuggle anything in that could help me. People have gotten in trouble just for having a tiny little pocket knife on them, and anything club-like would go over even worse. Looks like I may have to commission something special from a metal or wood shop, if there isn't something available for me mass market
KillerLag 1 points 6y ago
Ambutech's quality control has been a bit off lately, I've had a number of clients whose cane failed recently.
Hmm.... that really sucks about your school. Not sure what else to suggest.
Hmm.... that really sucks about your school. Not sure what else to suggest.
YorDnilb 1 points 6y ago
I'd like this taser cane for where I live http://dragonimpact.com/biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=336_1150&products_id=6412&zenid=b1oske71f5cnb4kmiort2gr7a5
domah2 1 points 6y ago
Hey, I would recommend you take some Brazilian ji jitsu classes you'll love it just stick with it and you don't need sight to practice BJJ.
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