| The idea of a walking stick as a cane, or some sort of | | | | when might one use a walking stick for self defense? |
| aid for walking, is a very recent one. Unsurprisingly, a | | | | In the best environment for heavy, long walking |
| remnant of a more violent culture has been co-opted, | | | | sticks-the wilderness! |
| and now we have beautifully cared and ornate walking | | | | Walking sticks are great to use when hiking, and if you |
| sticks for young and old, men and women, hikers and | | | | are hiking in a remote, wild area, you could risk an |
| casual walkers. But in the not so distant past, walking | | | | attack from a wild animal. Generally, wild animals are |
| sticks had a very different purpose. In fact, walking | | | | more frightened of people than not, but the occasional |
| sticks were used as weapons. And that's not a | | | | one will make a bid for an attack. Other times, you |
| surprising revelation. How could it be? Irish walking | | | | might simply cross paths with a wildcat, a bear, a wolf, |
| sticks are tall, they are heavy, and they used to be | | | | a badger, or something else that you probably don't |
| stuffed with lead! Other walking sticks were made | | | | want to meet. In those cases, it's nobody's fault, but |
| from very knotty, very rough, very strong wood. This | | | | you've still got to be careful to defend yourself. You |
| would increase the amount of damage inflicted on the | | | | can do that by using a walking stick to make yourself |
| unwary attacker in the case of self defense. | | | | appear larger and more intimidating-animals will |
| But you wouldn't see people walking down a city or a | | | | generally avoid attacking unknown creatures larger |
| suburban street with a large walking stick, prepared to | | | | than themselves. If that is not enough, you might have |
| beat the heck out of something. And why is that? | | | | to use the long walking stick to keep the animal at bay. |
| Because generally, it's illegal to beat people into a pulp. | | | | A walking stick is a great tool for self defense, though |
| It's also not the most convenient example of a | | | | these days, it is most suited for self defense from |
| self-defense weapon-mace works much better in | | | | animals. |
| many situations, and it's easier to carry around. So | | | | |