# White Cane advice

Category: Daily Living

## Post 1 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 13-Aug-2007 15:49:52

Hey all, a couple questions... Hope this is the best forum for this.
Fold up canes, tellescoping, streight, which do you use and why?
Cane tips: marshmillow, mushroom, rollerball, streight, again, do you use any and why?
Finally, where does your cane come up to you? Your chest, your forehead, somewhere in between? *smile*
I currently have a folding cane that comes up to my lower chest, if that makes sense. I just bought this rollerball tip, that to me looks more like a big marshmillow. It rolls side to side. I don't know what I want; it's been several years since I've had a cane.
I'm not planning on using it a ton, but I feel like I should have it around.
I'd appreciate your feedback and experiences. Thank you.

## Post 2 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Monday, 13-Aug-2007 16:44:52

I like the graphite folding cane with the roller tip. The material is strong, light, and rigid. The cane folds for ease of storage. The roler tip moves smoothly over rough surfaces, yet provides plenty of feedback to the handle. My cane reaches a point just below the deltoids.

## Post 3 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 13-Aug-2007 17:01:23

I agree with post 2 about the graphite folding cane. There are many schools of thought as to the length of the cane. The standard I was raised with was up to the breastbone, and I found that a little too short. I don't subscribe to the standard that says automatically up to one's chin, as I think one can get too much information initialy from too far away. When I used to teach mobility, I found an article that recommended the armpit as a good guide for initial cane length. As I've gotten older, I've found my reflexes aren't as good. As a result, my cane has gotten longer over the last several years to warn me of curbs, stairs, etc. I don't like th extra mass that the marshmelow tips and such put on the cane. Granted, you do get lots better feedback as to the terrane. I find that lifting the cane and tapping reasonably hard gives great auditory feedback as to the whereabouts of walls, buildings, etc. Good topic. Thanks for posting.
Lou

## Post 4 by Hilikme (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 13-Aug-2007 17:18:50

I like to have a folding aluminum or graphite cane with a pencil tip (Ambutech), though I'm currently looking into getting a straight carbon fiber cane with metal tip because I also want something light and sensitive (and that won't bend into a pretzal) for certain occasions. (Now if only Ambutech offered the carbon fiber ones... I really like their grips, and haven't found other companies that offer the same style).
My current cane comes up to the top of my breastbone, but I have a very long stride and fast pace, so it's proving to be too short for getting around in the city... Out here in the country, it's fine for the most part though. My next one will be a few inches longer I think.

## Post 5 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Monday, 13-Aug-2007 17:20:14

For cane tips I'm using a rolling tip because I wore out so many of the regular tips--I think 3 this year.

## Post 6 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Monday, 13-Aug-2007 18:15:54

I'm currently using an ambutech or galluminium and graphite folding long cane which comes up to just above my chest at 130 CM. I ordered not one, but two California canes from RNIB in quick succession, because they're very nifty, slimline and also lightweight as I have weak wrists. The first one came and within a day, the elastic snapped. I then ordered a second cane, which had a broken tip straight out the envelope from RNIB, soI'm now going to have to obtain two authorisation numbers to send the blimming things back, damn them, but I'll give it one last try and see if a third cane will arrive in one piece so I can use it. My current one'salmost split in two in the middle, where it shouldn't.
Jen.

## Post 7 by YankeeFanForLife! (Picapiedra: king of the boards!) on Tuesday, 14-Aug-2007 0:33:24

I like folde up canes better. But as in rite now I have a strate cane, which is up to my nose. Or some what alittle past it.

## Post 8 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 14-Aug-2007 0:39:09

I tried using a graphite straight cane. It was very light, but I've had some of those canes actually blow out of my hand on windy days. Scared the hell out of me crossing a busy street. To the poster who liked the Ambutek canes, that grip is probably the real saving grace about those canes. For those who haven't seen them, the handle is textured, making it much harder to loose the canes. I was able to use them in gloves when I couldn't use others.
Lou

## Post 9 by jamesk (This site is so "educational") on Tuesday, 14-Aug-2007 0:45:03

I personally like a straight NFB cane with a metal tip.
I've tried aluminum folding ones, graphite folding ones, California canes, pencil tips, marshmallow tips,etc. I finally got sick of them all and tried a straight fiberglass cane and never looked back

## Post 10 by Arigorn (Account disabled) on Tuesday, 14-Aug-2007 0:56:25

I like the straight carbon fiber canes besides for them not folding. I carry an alluminum cane with a roler tip. the cane comes up a little higher than my chin, as I am a fast traveller.

## Post 11 by Austin's Angel (move over school!) on Friday, 17-Aug-2007 14:26:28

i use the straight cane with the metal tip for special occasions, and the folding one with roler tip or just hangin around or whatever else. Both are up to my nose.

## Post 12 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 7:53:01

I use the folding aluminum cane with a roller tip, which comes up to my chest. My old cane broke, but before that the tip on the end of it got worn out, because I was using every day around college and that. I ordered the wrong tip (rolling ball instead of roller tip), but I found that the ball-shaped tip worked better than the normal one. Then my cane broke and I had to borrow a spare one until I got my own one. The spare one was a few inches longer and I asked which one they thought was better and they said the longer one. When I bought my new cane in june, I ordered the slightly longer cane, but because the tip I had bought was still on my old cane and in the mobility person's office, I didn't get the tip back from the old cane, but I didn't think about it too much at the time, because canes come with roller tips anyway.

## Post 13 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 15:29:29

I think I've settled on the roler tip. I have an Ambutech cane with a tip the size of a tennis ball or so. That tip makes the cane very heavy.

## Post 14 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 15:38:07

Hello I have a folding cane with a small roller tip. It folds up nice but soon I will need a new one. Thanks for starting this topic.

## Post 15 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 22:21:26

i had a folding cane with a roller tip, but the tip broke off the day before I got my guide dog. lol Perfect timing, eh? If i remember correctly, that particular cane went up to my chest, just the right height for me.

## Post 16 by Darrell Shandrow (Generic Zoner) on Wednesday, 22-Aug-2007 1:15:45

I like the straight fiberglass NFB canes with the flat metal tip. The carbon fiber telescopic canes break too easy and are ridiculously expensive. Heck, the fiberglass canes are expensive enough already...

## Post 17 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Wednesday, 22-Aug-2007 1:51:35

i used an fnfb cane when they were imported into the UK for a while. they were telescopic and had a metal tip on the end. they were great, but they became useless very quick when busted. also v dangerous after busting too. I now use a mix of anbutec and rev advantage canes.

## Post 18 by mr. google (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 28-Sep-2007 20:48:28

hi I like the graphite canes with the roller tip myself. That's probably my favorite one and of course I prefer the folding ones over the straight ones

## Post 19 by Gilman Gal (A billy Gilman fan forever and always!!) on Tuesday, 02-Oct-2007 6:50:49

hmmmmm... I got a oliminem (SP?) folding cane, and the hight can ajust the longest it's been is up to my nose. but for some odd reason, it won't stay locked! I'll be using it, and it comes apart. does anyone know why it's doing this? I only had it for aproximitly a year. Oh yeah, it has a penncel tip. I like the teloskopic cane, not sure if I like the carbon fiber, or the fiber glass. people say the carbon fiber is sturdier, but I don't know.

## Post 20 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Tuesday, 02-Oct-2007 11:09:26

You guys who's canes're up to your chins or noses, that is far, far too long. They should only be up to your chest full stop. Mine's slightly more than an inch too long, but I've had it oo, about four years now and I'm well overdue a new cane and at least two rehab workers from QAC in Birmingham West Middlands and from RNIB have said 130 cm's too long, so I've just ordered a 125 cm California cane, which should arrive by Thursday morning if not tomorrow morning, so, problem solved really.
Jen.
Jen.

## Post 21 by Hilikme (Veteran Zoner) on Tuesday, 02-Oct-2007 12:19:41

I don't think there can be a generalized rule as to what's too long or too short, etc., it's whatever works best for that person and creates comfortable, efficient travel.

## Post 22 by soaring eagle (flying high again!) on Tuesday, 02-Oct-2007 12:51:36

I prefer a longer cane because I am a fast walker and in open areas I like to get where I am going. I never could get use to the ball, always was a tapper. B

## Post 23 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Tuesday, 02-Oct-2007 13:32:12

I'm a 'scanner' myself, I like to sweep the cane from side to side. I think a lot more people seem to scan as oppose to using touch technique. As for canes being too long for people, my we rang RNIB Customer Services when I needed my first long cane and they asked my Gran who was there at the time, to measure me up for it, and they told us that the cane is onlysupposed to be the height of your chest if the cane's parallel to your body. They should know as they specialise in amongst a whole host of other VI-friendly useful items, long canes. Like I said in my last post, my current cane's 132 CM long, 5-7 cm longer than I should really be using it myself, and it has caused me a few problems as although I travel quite fast, it gets right in the way if I turn a narrow corner, if I collide with a speed bump or step or something, I've almost poked my eye out with the bloody thing before now, if I'm trying to navigate through doorways and stuff with it, it's just heavy and not too comfortable to handle, which is part of the reason why I invested in a new one last week, but, each to their own.
Jen.

## Post 24 by mr. google (Veteran Zoner) on Tuesday, 02-Oct-2007 18:12:32

I prefer a cane up to my breast bone because the longer the cane is, it seems the heavier it is too and also when you fold it up the longer it still is too but that's just my opinion.
Kerby

## Post 25 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 03-Oct-2007 2:43:47

One thing that happens after awhile with the carbon fiber canes is that after awhile, the joints can begin to splinter, and you can get some really nasty cuts without realizing it. As far as the longer canes being heavier, that is true. They aren't that much heavier, but the problem is that the mass of the cane is increased, making it harder to handle. This may sound like a silly example, but try taking a straw or other short stick-like item and hold it as if you were holding your cane and move it back and forth in a sweeping motion through the air. Note how much easier it is to control. Now, do the same thing with the cane. If you can get two identical models of cane of different lengths, that would be a more realistic comparison.
Lou

## Post 26 by ezziejc (The Bathroom Skyper!) on Saturday, 13-Oct-2007 19:57:32

Mine's a revolution advantage graphite long cane which had - up until Thursday - a roller ball which I found wonderful.
Unfortunately though I igot very angry with a fire exit that was in the way of where I wanted to get to. I mswung this cane out to the right of me, brought it back in to the left and smacked this door hard. Half a day later I hear a rolling noise, felt the bottom of my cane and discovered half my ball was missing. why the hell can't they make these in one bloody piece?
I hate ambutech canes - i've just never liked the texturedness of the grip even though the earlier poster made a point about ambutech canes and gloves. I never found the marshmallow tips to be that good, I always got them stuck in drains and small places etc. I've never used a metal tip.
could someone tell me about the california canes? they looked great in the catalogue but i never ordered one in the end. Does anyone know where I can get a telescoping cane in the UK?
If I ever get rich, I'm going to design a t-shaped cane that doesn't put pressure on the wrist. it'll be a lot like a crutch handle but with the stick in the middle. hmm wishful thinking - I can never settle for anything.

## Post 27 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 13-Oct-2007 22:15:06

To me, the only thing really of value about the Ambutech canes when I was looking at canes a few years back was the grip because of the gloves. In my next life, I want to be an inventor and develop the umbrella cane that has both devices in one.
Lou

## Post 28 by Chris N (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 16-Oct-2007 12:48:47

Ambutech graphite folding cane, about shoulder height.

## Post 29 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 16-Oct-2007 13:34:43

Thank you for all the response! Here's an additional thought. I noticed there are options in how many pieces you'd like your folding cane in... Four, five, or six. It's sort of a toss up. Four of course would be a more slinder fold, but longer. Six would be shorter, but so bulky folded. Hmmm...

## Post 30 by Chris N (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 17-Oct-2007 10:28:40

Mine folds in five sections, with the bottom four pieces sort of surrounding the slightly larger top piece when folded.

## Post 31 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Thursday, 18-Oct-2007 13:26:20

O no! Canes can even fold in to seven pieces now. I've just ordered a seven-section California cane, which for some reason is taking 3 weeks to get here and RNIB haven't even responded to my Emails asking them where the hell the damn thing is as my 4-year-old Ambutech cane's almost split in two it's so old, but hey! It might be waiting for me in Student Services when I come back from my half-term break, or they might even send it home now I put my home address in the Email and asked RNIB to send it there. Just hope it gets to me before my current cane disintegrates all together, lollollol.
Jen.

## Post 32 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 19-Oct-2007 12:43:38

I have a 4 section folding cane, that is 46 inches (117 cm). I wish they invented a cane with something where something where you could hold an umbrella and a cane at the sqame time.

## Post 33 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 02-Jan-2008 1:05:22

As for canes, I like telescopic. Yeah, they might not be as sturdy. But with some sight, i don't need a real heavy-duty cane. I also like the fact that they're so streamlined and sleek. Also, they are I've been told, a bit less noticable. The only drawback? No red tape at the bottom. Sorry, but I'll take streamlined and stylish as opposed to utilitarian. I'd really only use it to get to work. I'd like to be able to put in a purse/backpack when not in use. Just my two cents.

## Post 34 by BrailleNote Nut (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Saturday, 19-Jan-2008 22:21:03

Lol! I dont even know what cane or tip I have. I don't even know the difference. Can someone please explain that to me?
I have a folding cane and it's nice and portable; in 4 sections. Wow a 7 section cane? Oh god that would be quite thick when folded...
Oh yeah I might as well mention something quite nasty that happened awhile back, but still nice to watch out for.
I had a folding cane and unfolded it. I somehow unfolded it in such a way that one of the joints came down on my finger... MegaOuch...
It was pretty bad; blood spirtin in all directions...
Well no that bad but still I couldnt read braille with my right index finger for like a month.
And about the joints splintering, yeah I know how that can be. One of the plastic pieces on my old cane that sort of was there for some odd reason broke clean off so there was a joint with no plastic piece around it. Odd, eh?

## Post 35 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 20-Jan-2008 16:09:37

Hi, fiberglass canes like the telescoping kind are much lighter than graphite or aluminum ones. They also have a different texture. I've heard they break easily, but I've never had one break on me. Telescoping canes have sections that slide into each other, Well, like a telescope! There's a lot of fancy tips out there, but I've never found these helpful and they tend to make the cane much heavier which I don't like. But everyone has a different preference. I've heard that if you put vaseline on the joints of a cane they won't stick. This might also prevent them from splintering. Personally I've never had that problem. Hope this helps.

## Post 36 by BrailleNote Nut (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Monday, 21-Jan-2008 0:36:54

Yeah if you do that to a cane it dont stick. I once tried it and it didnt stick.

## Post 37 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 24-Jan-2008 6:43:36

Hi. Generally, I use a straight fiberglass cane, with the flat metal tip. The plastic tips just don't seem to give me as good of tactile or auditory feedback. I do not like canes made of carbon fiber, no matter if they're straight, folding, or telescoping. Carbon fiber may be light, but it also breaks and splinters very easily. Fiber glass is light, and quite flexible, so that it's difficult to break.
However, in some situations, I use a graphite folding cane, also with the flat metal tip. An adaptor has been made that allows the metal tips to fit on the folding graphite canes.
I personally like my cane to come up to my nose, since I am a fast walker, and like the reaction time it gives me. However, I agree with someone else here who said it is a personal choice.