Best first cane is adjustable, so you can find exactly the height which works for you. Once you know this, you can get an adjust-with-a-saw cane which will be quieter (and probably swankier).
Light enough that carrying it doesn't cause more problems.
Has a fitting or hole for a strap — sometimes you can't carry the cane plus all the other stuff.
Very solid tip, ideally one which flares out from the diameter of the cane's shaft.
Also, a badge for your hat that says, "Cane conversations: $10."
The wheelchair recycling project resells canes, as do most of your fashion clothing stores :,)
Edited (tense, number: these are useful in communication) Date: 2012-07-25 06:56 pm (UTC)
Also, a badge for your hat that says, "Cane conversations: $10."
Seriously! I keep a running tally of people who ask about the cane and how much they push about it so I can avoid talking to them or shopping at their business. Like, there's a woman at the farmer's market I'm never buying from again - she tried to pin me down for ten minutes blah blah history of your disease blah blah brussel sprouts (or whatever) are good for you blah blah when exactly do you need it blah. Arrrrrrrgh.
On the other hand, my favorite farmstand and favorite coffee shop both have employees who have never asked about it at all.
Not recommendations so much as general comments? Different canes are good for different ppl. I second an adjustable cane for your first cane, unless there's somewhere you can go and try out the fitting of different sizes. For me, and adjustable aluminum cane remains the best option. I like to have one that is folding so I can easily stow it in small spaces (my scooter basket, an airplane seat pocket, under a chair, etc.). Also, this doesn't happen frequently nowadays, but in the past sometimes I'd wear boots with taller platforms, and then it's nice to still have an adjustable cane so I could adjust it to compensate for my shoes. Depending on your height, some adjustable canes go taller/shorter than others, so you may want to look into that. I forget if the way I size my cane conforms to the recommended ways for doing so, but when standing with my arms hanging loose, the handle hits my wrist. I actually don't care about a strap. I find them uncomfortable and annoying to wear. This does mean my cane falls down sometimes when I have to use my hands for other things and I'm leaning it against something, and that it's hard to carry things when I'm trying to like, hold my cane around the back of my neck, but I still wouldn't use a strap. (I have one cane that does have a strap that'll prolly be my new regular cane once my current cane breaks, but I've never used the strap and doubt I'll get into it, though that could change.) I do like a nice solid wide rubber tip. Handles are important. Different handle types are good for different ppl/needs. I need to have an ergonomic handle to help with the strain being put on my arm/wrist/hand when using the cane. It doesn't get rid of the strain, but I've tried different handles and it's much worse. However, a lot of the ergonomic handles are specific to a R or L hand, and I have to be able to use it with both hands. For me the best handle is a Fritz handle. (They were apparently designed by/for a dude with arthritis, so woot for me with mine.) My first two canes I bought in a local medical supply shop (Binson's), and can't remember who the manufacturer was, nor could I find it online. The first one eventually broke after a lot of use, and I bought the same one as a replacement. Then recently I bought a third cane since my current main one is really banged up and I wanted one that looked nice for a wedding. Couldn't find the exact same cane, but came fairly close with this one. It does have that strap, which I haven't used but some might like. The handle is pretty much identical to my other cane, a thick plastic Fritz handle with a slight texture (I find this easier to grip than the totally smooth handles) and kind of finger-shaped indentations on the underside. I don't like the attachment for the screw-off handle, which is there on Hugo canes I guess so ppl can change out handles if they want, b/c the width/texture of it at the top there rubs against my hand sometimes, but I might get used to it if I were to use the cane more regularly (which I may be doing in the future if my current one breaks).
The only other cane I've really tried using so far for any length of time was a wooden cane with a U-type handle, which I h8d b/c of the handle. However, I think I'd be fine with a wooden cane sawed off for height if it had a Fritz handle, except then it wouldn't be folding or height-adjustable. But someday I might pick one up to have something fancier to use for nice occasions. (Though the shiny un-banged-up new black aluminum one served me fine on that one wedding occasion.)
For trying out cane heights too, pharmacy chains also usually carry adjustable aluminum canes (though they never have the folding type I like).
Oh, also, the canes I use all note that they're not designed to be weight-bearing, but that's what I use them for anyway nyah nyah deal with it cane-makers. This does probably contribute to their demise, I'm sure. My first one eventually snapped off at the handle in the middle of Chicago, and I'm sure the second will eventually meet the same demise, though I've been using it for years now without failure yet. But now I have the spare in case of sudden failure.
Keen Quest Mobility. I can't hold a regular curved cane handle (the candy-cane style). It hurts my hands terribly. I also can't hold a straight stick style handle. The Quest cane has a handle that fits comfortably in my hand and doesn't stress my shoulders as it impacts the ground. It's also got a flexible pivoting tip. The hard rubber tips on most canes create this terrible impact when it hits the ground that shudders up my arm and shoulder and neck, and I have such bad headache problems I cannot add to them by dealing with that. The flexible tip absorbs a lot of impact, and it also keeps my balance much better because it forms to whatever angle, whatever type of surface (soft, hard, slippery) etc. It comes in single-foot or four-foot, depending on whether you need more stability.
Also, it's BRIGHT FUCKING RED and makes me feel less like a vulnerable, fragile person and more like a badass who can whip anyone who effs with me.
You can actually also buy their pivoting tip for other canes, which is nice. I prefer the Quest cane itself, but if you find a more stylish or ergonomic cane, you can augment it with their tip.
I've used mine in the snow and ice, I've used it to walk along the sandy beach, I've used it on sidewalks, roads, grass, flat land or hills, stairs... everything. I <3 it. I don't use it but once a month or so, but it allows me to do things I could never do without it (walk downtown Pittsburgh for the Arts Festival all day, walk 2 miles down to the pier in OBX, etc.) Maybe this cane isn't the one for you, but I would def encourage you to find a cane that fits your needs. It's a positive object, not a negative one!
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2012-07-25 06:55 pm (UTC)Light enough that carrying it doesn't cause more problems.
Has a fitting or hole for a strap — sometimes you can't carry the cane plus all the other stuff.
Very solid tip, ideally one which flares out from the diameter of the cane's shaft.
Also, a badge for your hat that says, "Cane conversations: $10."
The wheelchair recycling project resells canes, as do most of your fashion clothing stores :,)
no subject
Date: 2012-07-25 06:56 pm (UTC)AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-25 07:34 pm (UTC)Seriously! I keep a running tally of people who ask about the cane and how much they push about it so I can avoid talking to them or shopping at their business. Like, there's a woman at the farmer's market I'm never buying from again - she tried to pin me down for ten minutes blah blah history of your disease blah blah brussel sprouts (or whatever) are good for you blah blah when exactly do you need it blah. Arrrrrrrgh.
On the other hand, my favorite farmstand and favorite coffee shop both have employees who have never asked about it at all.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-25 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-25 08:01 pm (UTC)The only other cane I've really tried using so far for any length of time was a wooden cane with a U-type handle, which I h8d b/c of the handle. However, I think I'd be fine with a wooden cane sawed off for height if it had a Fritz handle, except then it wouldn't be folding or height-adjustable. But someday I might pick one up to have something fancier to use for nice occasions. (Though the shiny un-banged-up new black aluminum one served me fine on that one wedding occasion.)
For trying out cane heights too, pharmacy chains also usually carry adjustable aluminum canes (though they never have the folding type I like).
Oh, also, the canes I use all note that they're not designed to be weight-bearing, but that's what I use them for anyway nyah nyah deal with it cane-makers. This does probably contribute to their demise, I'm sure. My first one eventually snapped off at the handle in the middle of Chicago, and I'm sure the second will eventually meet the same demise, though I've been using it for years now without failure yet. But now I have the spare in case of sudden failure.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-25 09:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-27 05:12 am (UTC)You can get matching (or contrasting) rubber tips and wrist straps.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-28 04:50 pm (UTC)Also, it's BRIGHT FUCKING RED and makes me feel less like a vulnerable, fragile person and more like a badass who can whip anyone who effs with me.
http://www.keenhealthcare.com/mobility/keen-brands/explorer/quest.html
You can actually also buy their pivoting tip for other canes, which is nice. I prefer the Quest cane itself, but if you find a more stylish or ergonomic cane, you can augment it with their tip.
Info on its construction and also more accessories (ice tip, cane hanger) http://www.elderluxe.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=147
Illustrations of construction http://www.keenhealthcare.com/medical/index.php/keen-brands/explorer/quest/questtm-single-point-cane.html
I've used mine in the snow and ice, I've used it to walk along the sandy beach, I've used it on sidewalks, roads, grass, flat land or hills, stairs... everything. I <3 it. I don't use it but once a month or so, but it allows me to do things I could never do without it (walk downtown Pittsburgh for the Arts Festival all day, walk 2 miles down to the pier in OBX, etc.) Maybe this cane isn't the one for you, but I would def encourage you to find a cane that fits your needs. It's a positive object, not a negative one!