Ī classic late 19th century walking cane, sometimes also called a dress caneĪround the 17th or 18th century, a walking stick took over from the sheep headers walking stick as an essential part of the European gentleman's wardrobe, used primarily as a walking stick. They can be individually handcrafted from a number of woods and may be personalised with wood carving or metal engraving plaques.Ī collector of walking sticks is termed a rabologist. Wooden walking-sticks are used for outdoor sports, healthy upper-body exercise, and even club, department, and family memorials. More ornate sticks are made for avid hikers and often adorned with small trinkets or medallions depicting 'conquered' territory. One can improvise a walking stick from nearby felled wood. Also known as an alpenstock, from its origins in mountaineering in the Alps, such a walking stick is equipped with a steel point and a hook or pick on top. Hikers use walking sticks, also known as trekking poles, pilgrim's staffs, hiking poles, or hiking sticks, for a wide variety of purposes: to clear spider webs or to part thick bushes or grass obscuring their trail as a support when going uphill or as a brake when going downhill as a balance point when crossing streams, swamps, or other rough terrain to feel for obstacles in the path to test mud and puddles for depth to enhance the cadence of striding, and as a defence against wild animals. The walking stick has also historically been known to be used as a Self defensive weapon and may conceal a knife or sword – as in a swordstick or swordcane. People with disabilities may use some kinds of walking sticks as a crutch but a walking cane is not designed for full weight support and is instead designed to help with balance. Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes and some have become collector's items. Some designs also serve as a fashion accessory, or are used for self-defense. A walking stick or walking cane is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture.

Walking canes sticks