Walking Sticks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, it can be difficult to know exactly the kind of walking stick is right for you or for a loved one if you’re buying one as a gift. However worry not, there’s a walking stick for everyone who needs one!
There are various properties you need to consider:
Material
First and foremost it’s important to consider the material that the walking stick will be made from. The days when most walking sticks are made from wood are gone, there’s a marvellous selection of sticks made from other materials, specifically aluminium which can still have traditional and contemporary style patterns available on it0.
Wooden walking sticks are not completely obsolete, they are still very popular. They’re durable, strong, and can be sawn to the exacting correct length. (BUT be careful, once you cut the walking stick you can’t add it back on, remember to measure twice and be sure. Wooden Walking Sticks can be made from a variety of woods ranging from chestnut, to ash, hazel and oak.
Aluminium is a material which is used commonly in walking sticks because it’s lightweight but really strong. The majority of these feature a telescoping design, with an E-clip or a spring loaded ball push button to easily adjust the size. These are usually in one inch increment which allows for ease of convenience for the user. There’s also the ‘one-size-fits-all’ aspect which means you could get a second hand stick and it would still be perfect for you.
These usually have a wooden or plastic handle, but this depends on the stick. These are normally patterned and can come in a marvellous range of colours and styles, whether you want a traditional or modern look.
Folding sticks
Some aluminium sticks are collapsible meaning they can be folded, providing amazing convenience when travelling or going about your business, saving space and being easily stored away into a pocket or bag.
These foldable sticks are incredibly popular, they usually come in four or five separate sections, internally bonded with a strong piece of elastic. To fold it all that has to be done is these sections to be pulled apart and the sections can simply be bundled up, ready to store. When you want to use it again all you have to do is release the sections and snap them back together.
Most of these have the added feature of being height adjustable, which is located in the top section of the stick close to the handle.
Handles Styles
There are many different styles of handles to choose from.
The Crook Handle is often viewed as the traditional handle to have on a walking stick. Its rich reputation is due to its ease of use and the ability to pop it over your forearm when not in use while still keeping it close to hand
T handle is a handle in the shape of the aforementioned letter, found on a very many examples of walking sticks, both folding and non-folding. It allows for the hand to grasp the shape, often with the thumb resting on the front section of the T. Some can find the handle straining after using it for long periods of time, if this is the case for you then plastic or PVC L shaped variants could be more appropriate. These are for the most part found on a Cooper’s aluminium walking stick, hospitals often give these to patients who need a stick.
The Derby handle
This handsome stick was so named because a Lord Derby required a practical stick which he could hook over his arm, but didn’t want a cook handle. The Derby is a more elegant model than the T handle while providing good support to the user. This handle can be crafted in both wood and moulded plastic.
The ergonomic/Fischer handle.
This was designed by Dr. Fischer of Austria, with the specific intention of reduce the pressure points on the handle by evenly spreading the users weight across the palm of a hand. , This style of handle is greatly popular and ideal for anyone putting a lot of weight on the walking stick or if they suffer from painful hands. It mirrors the shape of a palm, and are available as either left or right handed options and are available in both wood and moulded plastic.
Contour handle
This is similar to the previous style, however is slightly different in shape and a smaller model in size. The user’s weight is still spread evenly, with the handle fitting nicely into palm. These handles are made usually from moulded plastic.
The escort handle is again, also shaped to reduce pressure on the palm of the hand. It however is shaped in a distinctive bulb style making it easy to grip.
Foam handle
Some sticks have a foam style handle, providing extra comfort to the user, which is suitable for someone who suffers from painful joints in the hand.
Stick styles
Swan neck sticks are shaped with an angled shaft at the top which moves the position of the handle in relation to the straight section of the stick’s shaft. This is suitable for a user what is unstable when walking and have to put a lot of weight on the stick.
Riser style sticks are specifically designed to help the user stand up from a seated position. It has a double bend in it allowing for hands to grab the rungs in a rung action, this aids the user to rise, giving the stick its name.
Tetrapod and quadrupeds.
Tetrapod walking sticks have three legs at the bottom while quadrupeds have four legs touching the floor. These add security and stability to the user, being less likely to slip away or fall over. They are perfect for anyone who’s very unstable on their feet and need the extra help. The bases come in a range of sizes and styles, the wide based ones the legs start about 10 inches from the base, while small based models have the feet fixed onto a plate which is fixed onto the base of the stick. This stick also stands up by itself, which is a great feature for anyone who accidentally drops their stick.
Stick seats are useful for people who like to rest when they’re going about their business. These are an available in a massive range of styles and can vary in seat size and material. The stick can be leant over into a seat where you can perch on and have a rest. Styles also include a three legged stick which can be folded out into a proper seat.
Accessories.
Ferules
These are the tips which fit at the end of the stick, touching the ground. These can come in a variety of materials, they are usually PVX or rubbed because they provide the best when it comes to security. They do however wear away of time and have to be checked regular for signs of wear and tear, because when they become uneven or worn away they can be insecure to use. Luckily ferrules are replaceable and can be purchased from majority of walking stick websites and retailers.
These are commonly grey or black, like most walking stick parts, they are available in a range of colours. Sizes tend to come in 16mm 19mm 22mm and 25mm.
These can come in various shapes too, such as the flat (Z type) or bell or dome shaped. Convex and concave ferrules are also commonly available, tending to have a great surface area, coming into contact with the ground. An interesting type is the tri ferrule which has three prongs to it, meaning it can stand up straight when not in use.
Walking stick straps
These either slip over the handle of the stick, or popper onto the shaft of the stick while the user drapes the strap over their wrist. This saves the stick from falling over it they let go of the handle while keeping it close by if the user needs to reach into a handbag or pocket. These straps are widely available in a choice of colours, and are normally made with nylon, you can also get them in leather (and faux leather) if you fancy something more stylish.
Stick Holders
There’s a decent selection of stick holders, these are perfect for keeping the walking stick propped when you’re not using it, and this grip is made from plastic and fits on the shaft of the stick. It allows for the stick to be balanced on the edge of a table or worktop when it isn’t being used.
A Bridgit stick holder is perfect if you want to hang the walking stick from the back of a chair or handrail. You could also hang it from a table or counter top.
Stick holders are particularly handy for those who use a wheel chair or a wheeled walker. The walking stick rests in the lower cup section of the holder and clips securely into the top part, making sure it’s close at hand and ready to use if need be.
Folding walking stick holders or bags
Walking sticks that fold are brilliant, however they can be hard to keep closed in their folded state when you’re not using it. A walking stick bag is ideal, leaping the stick nice and compact, easy to slip into a pocket or bag, all ready to use. Alternatively, a plastic clip can achieve the same effect.
Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gareth1953/
Recent Comments