Canes for husband

[Gallowaraven]

Hey all. First time poster, but long time stalker.

My husband is returning from his last tour of duty, but not because of the greatest of circumstances. His right foot was irreversibly disabled. So from now on he is going to have to walk with a cane or some kind of assistance equipment.

I figured that when he gets home in December I could gather him up a couple cool replica canes. Maybe lift his spirits a little bit.

I originally thought of getting him a off the shelf Biff fist cane. But apparently they are stupidly rare, or when they are listed on Etsy they sell immediately.

So I was wondering if you guys could help me come up with some ideas for prop replica canes, wizard staffs, etc. Something easy to make, or somewhat inexpensive to buy. Have a 6 and 1 year old that make craft time rather short, and with all the things we have to change in the house as well as medical related things the budget isn't big. For some reason the Military doesn't like to approve "novelty" canes lol

I have seen this community find some of the most obscure tiny things out of nowhere... So I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for something seemingly easy wouldn't be a problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MattgomeryBurns]

Firstly, welcome! And thank your husband for his service and sacrifice.

A few canes come to mind quickly (with some quick google image grabs):

Dr Hammond's cane from Jurassic Park


The Riddler's cane from Batman Forever (one of several designs)


Willy Wonka's cane (Johnny Depp also had his own design)


And I couldn't find a good image, but Sam Jackson had a beautiful glass cane in Unbreakable.

 

[Mike J.]

The Wolf Man's cane.

Gandalf's staff.

House's cane, from House, MD.

The Emperor's cane, from Star Wars.

 

[ARKM]

The wolf head cane from the original The Wolfman movie.

The wolf head cane from the 2010 remake of The Wolfman

Any lightsaber based cane. Peter Mayhew (the guy who plays Chewbacca) has one.

The sword cane from Blind Fury (though that one might get him in trouble).

 

[Hecubus114]

There's the Clockwork Orange cane.

 

[DizzyStrmtroopr]

zeus from tron legacy and Lucius malfoy's snake cane from harry potter

 

[MrSouthpaw]

I've been looking for a cane for myself. There are a few lists here and there full of ideas. Some of the ones that I didn't see mentioned.

Daredevil's 'Billy Club'.
Kingpin also uses a cane.
King Jared (bowie) used a cane in a couple scenes in Labyrinth.
Dr Who had a "sonic" cane in an episode.
In the original Thor comics. His hammer turned into a walking stick.
Lucius Malfoy has a snake-head cane.
Scrooge McDuck has a brown hook-handle cane with a golden tip.
Penguin uses various umbrellas as canes.

 

[cjchiu]

I've always been partial to Barnaby's cane/sword from the 1961 Babes in Toyland.

 

[Howlrunner]

Grunkle Stan's cane from Gravity Falls

 

[dcarty]

The First Doctor's vine-twisted cane:

 

[Gallowaraven]

So many great ideas! Thank you! Now to see if anything are within my skillsets to create!

 

[Pumpkinhead]

http://i.imgur.com/7OaHFBK.

 

[division 6]

Hercule Poirot's canes

Elephant cane from Warehouse 13

 

[JamesPurcell]

Wolfman transforming sword cane concept.

 

[Zombie_61]

...So I was wondering if you guys could help me come up with some ideas for prop replica canes, wizard staffs, etc. Something easy to make, or somewhat inexpensive to buy...

There are a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Prop replica canes are often made only to look like the original prop, and are not designed or built to actually be used as a cane. If you're going to buy one or more, be sure to verify it/they can actually be used.

2. Prop replica canes are often designed to look good on screen just like the original prop, but their intricately carved handles may not be comfortable for long periods of use because the small details tend to "dig" into the palm of the user's hand.

3. Weight. Most canes weigh less than one pound because carrying that extra weight around all day, even if it's only a pound, can fatigue the user.

And just so you know, I'm speaking from experience. I have lower back problems that cause chronic pain, and although I don't need a cane every day I have used mine often enough over the last 11 years to know what works for me and what doesn't. I'm sorry to hear of your husband's injury, and I sincerely hope you two will find a selection of canes that will make it bearable for him.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I can't add anything because those are great suggestions. Please pass on my thanks for his service as well!

 

[cjchiu]

Old Biff Tanen's cane from BTTF looks like it would be comfortable to hold...

 

[Zombie_61]

Old Biff Tanen's cane from BTTF looks like it would be comfortable to hold...

Maybe. Maybe not. I had a cane with a skull for a handle and thought it would be comfortable--a nice spherical shape that was a little smaller than a billiard ball--but after a couple of hours of using it my hand was killing me.

I think the best thing her husband can do is try a few different types to determine what works best for him.