Vintage walking sticks are exceptionally remarkable. For this reason, proper care is necessary so that it will last a lifetime. Keep your antique walking sticks in good condition and keep them from deteriorating. If you care for it properly, it will still look great in years to come.
There’s no escaping to the fact that “walking sticks do break”. Now, you must be concerned on how to preserve and make your antique walking stick last. Whether you only have one walking stick, a couple or have a collection of different types of walking sticks, making each last can be a challenging task. There are many things you certainly must consider. Walking sticks should be stored absolutely flat or hanging vertically. However, with the help of your Cane Holder, this should not be a big deal unless you own a Hercules cane.
Just like any other furniture, which is made from natural woods, they must be handled with care. Humidity and temperature may lead to swelling and cracking of the different woods that make up your walking stick. They should be kept away from extreme heat situations and areas with low humidity. Do not store or use the walking stick in high humidity areas or in wet areas where mold and mildew can present a problem. These conditions could cause them to dry out and become brittle and break. Direct sunlight and heater ducts are areas to be avoided also. Depending again on the different materials in your walking stick, sunlight might also damage your walking stick. A rise in temperature will lower the humidity level and eventually change their color.
Silver must be cared for in the proper manner on a walking stick. Do not use vinegar and baking soda to clean silver. It damages the silver. Use a mild silver polish. And do not allow the polish to get into the wood of your walking stick.
On wood, remember that linseed oil is your friend if you use it wisely. Just a drop will do. Clean off your walking stick with a clean cloth by gently wiping it down without anything on the cloth. Then apply a small amount of linseed oil and wipe it into the wood. Let your walking stick dry, and then polish with a clean, soft cloth. If your top is made from a different material, please clean it first, then the shaft of your walking stick.
Keeping your stick clean at all times will not only make them look good and presentable but it will also contribute in making them last. Nevertheless, this doesn’t apply to all. If the stick is extremely old, you might want to rethink cleaning. The dirt that has been built up on the walking stick could be protecting it from some of the efforts of changing temperature and humidity.