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I'm getting a new cane (I've used them all my life) and would like your thoughts on selecting some options (self.Blind)
submitted by mehgcap
Hello all,
I use a guide dog, but still need a cane from time to time. Plus, my dog is getting close-ish to retirement. I've had my current cane for around ten years, so it's time to upgrade. I specified in the title that I've used canes all my life so people don't think I'm looking for basic help. I want to pick the brains of cane users to figure out what I should select for options on the cane.
First, should I go with graphite or aluminum? I've always had aluminum. I once had a different model, and it was far too flexible to give good feedback. Then someone stepped on it at the gym and killed it. I thought it was graphite, but given the flex, and given the splintery crack after it was stepped on, I suspect it was fiberglass. So, fiberglass is out, but should I consider graphite?
Next, the tip. I'm a massive fan of Ambutech's ceramic tip, and am almost certainly going with that. I do a lot of walking outside, and some inside. I don't want something optimized for smooth floors, and I hate roller tips. I love the ceramic, but if people have thoughts about other options, I'm open to listening.
Third, the handle. I've always had the rubberized handle, but I don't like the sticky feeling it often gets. I'm leaning toward giving the wood a shot, but I worry about durability. I could also try cork, but I feel like that would soak up water too easily, and wouldn't have a good feel in the hand. Wood, though, is rather expensive. Still, as I'll likely keep this another ten years, I'm not worried about the cost. I just don't want to get a nice wooden handle, then have it chip or crack after a year.
Finally, the end color. Ambutech lets customers select a color for the whole cane, but I'm keeping that white since people know what that means. However, I'm thinking about selecting a different color (not the standard red) for the bottom of the cane. Are there any downsides to not sticking with red?
That's it. Thank you for any input you may have. As you guessed by now, I'm ordering from. Ambutech. I've always had good experiences with them, and see no reason to change.
I use a guide dog, but still need a cane from time to time. Plus, my dog is getting close-ish to retirement. I've had my current cane for around ten years, so it's time to upgrade. I specified in the title that I've used canes all my life so people don't think I'm looking for basic help. I want to pick the brains of cane users to figure out what I should select for options on the cane.
First, should I go with graphite or aluminum? I've always had aluminum. I once had a different model, and it was far too flexible to give good feedback. Then someone stepped on it at the gym and killed it. I thought it was graphite, but given the flex, and given the splintery crack after it was stepped on, I suspect it was fiberglass. So, fiberglass is out, but should I consider graphite?
Next, the tip. I'm a massive fan of Ambutech's ceramic tip, and am almost certainly going with that. I do a lot of walking outside, and some inside. I don't want something optimized for smooth floors, and I hate roller tips. I love the ceramic, but if people have thoughts about other options, I'm open to listening.
Third, the handle. I've always had the rubberized handle, but I don't like the sticky feeling it often gets. I'm leaning toward giving the wood a shot, but I worry about durability. I could also try cork, but I feel like that would soak up water too easily, and wouldn't have a good feel in the hand. Wood, though, is rather expensive. Still, as I'll likely keep this another ten years, I'm not worried about the cost. I just don't want to get a nice wooden handle, then have it chip or crack after a year.
Finally, the end color. Ambutech lets customers select a color for the whole cane, but I'm keeping that white since people know what that means. However, I'm thinking about selecting a different color (not the standard red) for the bottom of the cane. Are there any downsides to not sticking with red?
That's it. Thank you for any input you may have. As you guessed by now, I'm ordering from. Ambutech. I've always had good experiences with them, and see no reason to change.
ginsenshi 2 points 3y ago
Have you considered carbon fiber, it's more stiff but still lightweight and has no balance like fiber glass, at least the NFB styles.
ambutech makes a fiberglass model that is rigid like the graphite.
ambutech makes a fiberglass model that is rigid like the graphite.
mehgcap [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I didn't realize carbon fiber was an option. I'll have to look into that. Thanks.
Laser_Lens_4 1 points 3y ago
In the US a cane needs to be mostly White. Beyond that the choice is up to you. Keep in mind that most people will recognize the red tape more easily than other colors though
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
I'm a dog user too! Honestly I've found the NFB folding cane to be the best one for me; smooth handle, reasonably durable, easily replaceable tip that's rubber coated with metal, and fairly light weight. I can't remember if mine is graphite or fiberglass; I wouldn't rule out fiberglass because of that one break, but if you really want to avoid it, graphite is lighter than aluminum. Good luck!
mehgcap [OP] 1 points 3y ago
The break was bad, but the turn-off for me was the feedback. I found the cane to be so bouncy and loose that the feedback I got wasn't very helpful. It worked, but a more solid material was far better for my use case. I'll give the cane this, though: it was compact and light when folded. It was far easier to manage when not in use than an aluminum cane.
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
That makes sense! I tend to use light canes because I've got pretty twiggy hands and wrists that get sore easily. I think graphite is a bit heavier than fiber glass and might help. But really, if aluminum was the right weight and feedback for you, there's nothing wrong with going for that again. I'm guessing you are going to get another dog so you won't be using your cane quite as much.
mehgcap [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Aluminum can get a bit heavy after a while, and I'd like something lighter to carry when not in use. I'm starting to consider Ambutech's Slimline canes, actually.
Yes, I plan to get another dog. However, when I swim at the local gym, my dog stays in the lobby, so I need a cane for that. I also sometimes don't take my dog, if I'm going somewhere where I'll be inactive much of the time, or will otherwise not be able to do much with him. I'll also walk with a cane if I've gone a lot of miles in a week already, and feel my dog could use the rest. For reference, I walk anywhere from 8 to 14 miles in a week, weather permitting.
Yes, I plan to get another dog. However, when I swim at the local gym, my dog stays in the lobby, so I need a cane for that. I also sometimes don't take my dog, if I'm going somewhere where I'll be inactive much of the time, or will otherwise not be able to do much with him. I'll also walk with a cane if I've gone a lot of miles in a week already, and feel my dog could use the rest. For reference, I walk anywhere from 8 to 14 miles in a week, weather permitting.
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
Yeah that’s why I was thinking of the lighter canes; I keep one with me so I don’t have to harness my dog for a short walk to a restroom or if it’s toi cold out (below 10 degrees).
When you get a young dog again, wear them out working! I sometimes walk upwards of ten miles in one day and my dog loves it. She lets me know when she’s getting fed up though.
When you get a young dog again, wear them out working! I sometimes walk upwards of ten miles in one day and my dog loves it. She lets me know when she’s getting fed up though.
Superfreq2 1 points 3y ago
Sounds like you've already pretty much made up your mind based on your own personal experiences, so I'm imagining that anything I might say isn't really going to matter a whole lot to your ultimate decision
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I've used graphite Ambutech folding canes with roller marshmellow tips for most of my life, with the occasional pencil or non rolling marshmellow or aluminum cane thrown in. I even had a super heavy steel one once, and I've used those big rolling ball tips a time or two as well.
But personally, even with the drawbacks, I just really feel as though I can get better feedback and walking speed out of those NFB 50/50 carbon fiber and fiberglass canes with the metal tips and foam handles, at least with the open palm technique.
Yeah, the tips wear out pretty quick (a couple months?) if you walk almost every day in the city, less quickly if you use two point touch or slide tap rather that constant contact, and yes, they are bendy but it actually takes a surprising amount of force to break them (particularly the non folding ones) and I still don't know how I feel about the handles, but the lightness and lack of pain when I hit people with open toed shoes alone is a big plus. It's just so freeing.
An alternative to this may be the telescoping Ambutech canes, since they are thinner and lighter still, but I think you can still use most ambutech tips with them. Now I know that the telescoping NFB canes are a fucking nightmare, but since these ones have that twist lock thing, I'd hope they'd be allot better than the NFB ones.
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That's just my two cents, and really their are drawbacks to both, so allot of it comes down to personal preference.T
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I've used graphite Ambutech folding canes with roller marshmellow tips for most of my life, with the occasional pencil or non rolling marshmellow or aluminum cane thrown in. I even had a super heavy steel one once, and I've used those big rolling ball tips a time or two as well.
But personally, even with the drawbacks, I just really feel as though I can get better feedback and walking speed out of those NFB 50/50 carbon fiber and fiberglass canes with the metal tips and foam handles, at least with the open palm technique.
Yeah, the tips wear out pretty quick (a couple months?) if you walk almost every day in the city, less quickly if you use two point touch or slide tap rather that constant contact, and yes, they are bendy but it actually takes a surprising amount of force to break them (particularly the non folding ones) and I still don't know how I feel about the handles, but the lightness and lack of pain when I hit people with open toed shoes alone is a big plus. It's just so freeing.
An alternative to this may be the telescoping Ambutech canes, since they are thinner and lighter still, but I think you can still use most ambutech tips with them. Now I know that the telescoping NFB canes are a fucking nightmare, but since these ones have that twist lock thing, I'd hope they'd be allot better than the NFB ones.
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That's just my two cents, and really their are drawbacks to both, so allot of it comes down to personal preference.T
mehgcap [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you for replying. I hope I didn't come across as having already decided. The only point on which I doubt I'll be swayed is the tip. But the choice between aluminum and graphite, the handle material, and the color are all wide open. I will admit that I have no plan to get a fiberglass cane, given my past experience with their construction and feedback. I take your point about them hurting others far less, but I am in an area without many large crowds and with a lot of rough pavement. I need something sturdy, with good feedback and a tip that won't get stuck in the myriad cracks and holes it will encounter.
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