About Walking Sticks and Canes

In North America, a walking cane is a walking stick with a curved top much like a shepherd’s staff, but shorter. Thus, although they are called canes, they are usually made of materials heavier than cane, such as wood or metal. In modern times, walking sticks are usually only seen with formal attire. Collectors of canes look for the old, the new and the novel. Retractable canes that reveal such properties as hidden compartments, pool sticks, or blades are popular among collectors. Handles have been made from many substances, both natural and manmade. Carved and decorated canes have turned the functional into the fantastic. Walking sticks, as symbols of authority and social prestige, they were used by great rulers of many cultures, like Henry III, Napoleon, Frederick the Great, and even President Washington. Upon their evolution into a fashion accessory in the 16th century, the walking stick became as much a part of a stylish outfit as a bowler hat and a pair of spats.

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Antique LK Handcarved Ox Bone Handle Walking Cane Stick    US $69.99

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ANTIQUE 46 INCH POKER HEAD RUSTIC RIVED WALKING STICK BY KYCANE ARTIST JIM HALL    US $79.00

ANTIQUE 46 INCH UNIQUE TOOL HEAD WALKING STICK BY KYCANE ARTIST JIM HALL    US $79.00

antique Slot Machine knob SHILLELAGH walking stick cane    US $49.00

DECORATIVE Antique BRASS UMBRELLA STAND WALKING STICK STAND HERALDIC HANDLES    US $40.73

Super antique walking stick with horn handle and silver collar 1895 hallmark    US $39.17

Antique Irish Blackthorn Shillelagh Burl Handle Cane Walking Stick St Patrick    US $49.99

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Antique Walking Stick Cane Sterling Silver Tiger Eye Knob 1880    US $400.00

Antique Style Brass Walking Cane Stick    US $39.95

ANTIQUE ORANTE GOLD AND WOODEN FORMAL WALKING STICK FROM HISTORICAL ESTATE    US $113.48

Superb Rare Antique Vintage Bronze Monkey Walking Stick Handle Car Mascot c1900    US $87.74

FINE ANTIQUE CHINESE SILVER WALKING STICK HANDLE    US $423.01

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The idea of a fancy cane as a fashion accessory to go with top hat and tails has been popularized in many song-and-dance acts, especially by Fred Astaire in several of his films and in the song “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails”. When used as a mobility or stability aide, canes are generally used in the hand opposite the injury or weakness. This may appear counter-intuitive, but this allows the cane to be used for stability in a way that lets the user shift much of their weight onto the cane and away from their weaker side as they walk. Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in their dominant hand, means some cane users choose to hold the cane on their injured side.

Although walking sticks no longer exude the same romantic aura today, they are enjoying resurgence as hot collectibles for gentlemen and other keen enthusiasts, cherished for their unique design and history. Other walking sticks have a secret features such as hidden compartments or interesting bejeweled handles with owls or resin spheres. Walking sticks are not a fashion accessory reserved for the elderly or those who suffer from sporadic attacks of gout; they are a nice touch of elegant and formal attire as well.