Types of folding canes

Category: Daily Living

Post 1 by luckyluc20 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Monday, 13-Feb-2017 13:29:59

I haven't bought a cane in years and when I went to get one I found two different brands of canes, Ambutech and WCIB. Do you have experience with either or both of these brands and which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your input.

Post 2 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 13-Feb-2017 17:14:41

I've never heard of WCIB canes. I'm guessing that's a Canadian brand? I know Ambutech is, but they also sell a lot of canes in the States. I personally have loved my Ambutech canes. It's the kind of folding cane I still use. The Ambutechs I've had have all been high quality, and lasted quite awhile. That says something, because I put my canes through a lot. So I personally think Ambutech is good, but I can't help you with comparison to the other brand.

Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 13-Feb-2017 20:13:30

The other brand is okay, but I agree with the shadow.

Post 4 by Pasco (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Tuesday, 14-Feb-2017 1:56:41

I have used just about every folding cane ever invented. I have used both WCIB and Ambutek. Nothing wrong with WCIB, but I agree with the others that Ambuetek is exceptional. The only problem with them is some people have difficulty pulling the sections apart to fold it. But they are well made and sturdy.

Post 5 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Tuesday, 14-Feb-2017 9:03:59

un center chap stick. rub that on the connection points of your cane once a week and it will keep them from sticking. also those who use a folding cane to lean on, your forcing the connection points together. I see people do that a lot and it doesn't help.

Post 6 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 14-Feb-2017 11:12:16

I'll add my agreement with what others have said. I didn't have any problems with my WCIB cane but I prefer my Ambuteh.

Post 7 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 17-Feb-2017 8:55:53

Ambutech makes support canes if anybody needs to know that. I use a support cane sometimes although it is shorter than the normal guiding cane. I am finding with my age and arthritis, I do need support sometimes.

Post 8 by mat the musician (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Sunday, 26-Feb-2017 15:46:30

Re: Pasco's post, WD40 can also help un-stick stuck cane segments. There's a bug with newer Ambutech canes, as of a year ago; the cane segments are too short, and don't stick into each other far enough. This causes certain segments to fold when walking quickly, or when using a harder tap with a technique such as 2-point touch. It often happens to me in the middle of the street, which is pretty terrifying.

Post 9 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 27-Feb-2017 13:09:24

Odd. Mine never does unless I get it stuck in something and pull it back.
Tighten up the elastic.

Post 10 by mat the musician (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Wednesday, 01-Mar-2017 17:58:30

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that!

Post 11 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Monday, 13-Mar-2017 23:55:30

The Revolution brand is now my favorite folding cane. No more bending or stuck joints, and it's light and strong.

Post 12 by Pasco (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Tuesday, 14-Mar-2017 3:08:05

Never heard of that one. Do you have contact info?

Post 13 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Monday, 20-Mar-2017 11:30:50

I use their graphite cane.


Revolution Adantage Canes

Post 14 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 21-Mar-2017 14:22:34

The quality of their canes is excellent, so why do they have such a shitty website and awkward ordering process? If I didn't like their canes I wouldn't ask.

Post 15 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 21-Mar-2017 18:36:25

Sure, ordering from that website isn't the best is it? I'd order from like blind mice or someone else.

Post 16 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 22-Mar-2017 11:22:49

I order the graphite advantage cane from LS and S in New York.

Post 17 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Wednesday, 22-Mar-2017 11:23:44

I always order from someone else.

Post 18 by Pasco (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Thursday, 23-Mar-2017 4:08:13

How is this cane superior to other graphite canes?

Post 19 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 23-Mar-2017 11:24:32

Well, a good question indeed. I'd say the availability of parts if you should break it, or need the adjustment kit.
I've never broken any cane, but it is nice to know I could just order the parts instead of the complete cane. Seems wasteful to buy a new cane when all you need is a piece.
The claim the joints won't stick depends on how much dirt or whatever gets in them. Joints are joints.

Post 20 by boots and denim (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 23-Mar-2017 22:15:22

I love ambutech for the simple fact that you can easily switch out the tip.
That being said, for real traveling, I prefer a Revolution cane with a tear
drop tip. It's like a marshmallow tip, but travels smother like a roller tip.
I just hate how hard it is to replace tips on Revolutions.

Post 21 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 24-Mar-2017 13:32:12

Revolutions are much lighter than ambutech and about as sturdy. I prefer a long cane and a standard tip over a rolling tip, so weight is important. The joints never ever stick and the elastic is definitely better quality than what you find in the NFB folding canes.

Post 22 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Friday, 24-Mar-2017 16:17:01

I have been trying to find a specific cane. it is similar to the nfb non folding canes, but the body isn't smooth its almost textured. It has a green rubberized handle with a chain instead of a string on the top. does anyone know what kind of cane this is? I had one a while ago and I loved it. I slammed it in a car door and it didn't even dent the thing.

Post 23 by boots and denim (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 24-Mar-2017 23:39:23

Sounds like something the joker would have in a batman cartoon haha

Post 24 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 29-Mar-2017 22:17:22

I remember those canes. I actually use to hate them, but that's probably because I prefer a folding cane myself. I use to see people with them all the time though. I'm not sure that they make them anymore, to be honest. I say this only after spending about ten minutes searching for it on google, and a few other sites and not coming up with anything relevant. Maybe someone else can have better luck with it.

Post 25 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Thursday, 30-Mar-2017 10:01:39

Kind of regretting that I got such a long cane now. I wanted to try removing one of the sections to make it shorter, but I couldn't get the cord to come out that narrow hole in the rubber grip.