Oak has too coarse of a grain to my liking and may splinter more readily. These hardwoods are common and the medium/fine grain is easy to work with. I suggest a medium-hard wood such as Cherry, Black Walnut or Maple for the beginner. The harder the wood, the sturdier the cane, but it will also be harder to work with. Your choice of materials can vary as long as they are strong and durable and easy enough to work with. You can make a simple, crudely finished cane in a day or take your time in shaping and sanding and have an elegant art object within a week. The techniques are basic and the better results are in the level of effort you choose to endure. The use of hand and power tools will be shown and in the event you do not have one, you can use the other. If all efforts are successful, the ugly, flimsy common store bought cane will be abolished with a more sturdy, attractive and comfortable cane for those who need one, and just maybe a new interest as a fashion trend will return.

My goal here is to show you how to create a sturdy, functional and attractive cane that the user can wear with confidence and pride. The technology of the cane has evolved little in the years of mankind, but the materials are varied and the quality of a cane can be judged by not only the fancy woods or ornamentation, but also the quality of craftsmanship. Gentlemen and ladies would adorn a cane made from exotic woods, metals and gems to show their wealth and status. A walking stick or cane has been used to assist the aristocratic elite from their high wheeled carriages, as the wheels where some 5 feet tall and were quite shakey when decending or ascending from them, especially when dressed in finery. The cane is not only needed for the aide of assisting one to keep stable, but also has a history of being a fashion statement. Walking canes have been used since early man started to walk about and needed a tool to help him when injured or over trekking over uneven terrain.

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