[Blindtlk] [nfb-talk] thoughts on the new telescopic carbon fiber cane

[David Evans]

Dear Ray and All,

I also add a "D" ring or a carabineer clip to the lanyard string, tied up 
close to the cane cap.
This clip lets me attach my cane to a belt loop on the side of my pants and 
frees up my hands quickly and easily.
I also can not walk off and forget my cane or misplace it if it is attached 
to my belt loop.
Women will also find the clip to be a help as they can attach it to their 
purse strap and you can even clip your house keys on it if you don't want to 
carry a purse or have no pockets.
The combination of the "D" ring , with or without keys clipped on it, makes 
a very handy weapon too with your cane collapsed.
I have one on all of my canes and have for years.  I have never lost a cane 
and even carry my telescoping cane when I am at work and using my guide dog 
Jack.
It, my cane that is,  also comes in handy for playing "fetch the stick" with 
Jack.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Foret Jr" <rforetjr at att.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 5:55 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] thoughts on the new telescopic carbon fiber cane


>I just thought I'd pop in here and give my first impressions of the new 
>carbon fiber telescopic cane which I have just purchased.
>
> First, the cane comes in a nice zipper case.  IF you care for such 
> details, this is nice I suppose; but, frankly, for me, this seems 
> overkill.  Now for the cane itself.
>
> the top of the cane is equipped with a string which is itself attached to 
> a thinner string.  This thinner string is attached to a metal cap.  This 
> cap screws on and off the top most element of the cane.  The only thing 
> about the string attachment is that to look at it, it almost seems as 
> though it wants to come off at the merest touch; however, it does not. 
> Having the screw on metal cap is a plus just on the chance that something 
> should happen to the string.
>
> the next quite noticeable difference is the cane tip.  this tip; (which is 
> so made that it will fit the standard straight cane), also serves as the 
> stopper.  This totally illuminates the necessity for the separate stopper 
> as in canes past.  The fit for the stopper tip is quite a tight one; but, 
> better to have it almost too tight then not tight enough.
>
> At first appearance, it may seem that these differences really don't 
> amount to much; and, were these the only differences, perhaps maybe they 
> would not.  However, there is another quite substantial difference.  This 
> difference does not really show itself until you actually take the cane 
> out on to the street and start really using it seriously.  Actually, there 
> are two differences which require serious use to show themselves.
>
> 1.  The carbon fiber which comprises the new cane must have been modified 
> in a fairly substantive way because it feels and handles much lighter than 
> did the previous telescopic cane.  In fact, it feels so very much lighter 
> that you almost feel you have to make a slight effort to keep it's tip on 
> the ground.  Whether you just tap it using the usual ark or slide the tip, 
> the lighter feel is instantly evident.  If you are in the habit of sliding 
> your tip; (as I am) you will note that rough street surfaces are not as 
> hard on the new tip at all.
>
> 2.  The next quite substantive difference is this.  The cane actually 
> stays extended.  That's right.  You did not misread what i said.  the cane 
> actually remains extended and thus is more appropriate for serious  cane 
> users who might have stayed away from telescopic canes of the previous 
> generation;  owing to the tendency of the previous generation of 
> telescopic cane to colaps even if extended as much as possible.  Even if 
> the elements of the new telescopic cane are not extended firmly, the 
> elements of the cane still stay extended.  Even rough street surfaces seem 
> not to cause problems in this area.
>
> As for manually colapsing  the cane, it seems that with the new model, 
> this is also easier.  No more need to bang the cane on the ground just to 
> get all the elements callused;  well, much less need anyhow.  I have found 
> it necessary only one time; and, were my hands not wet at the time, I'm 
> not even sure that time would have been necessary.
>
> Yes, the new telescopic cane is a very appropriate choice for when the 
> time comes to replace your cane.  IF you've always tended to avoid 
> telescopic canes before; owing to elements that don't stay extended on 
> rough roads and so forth, I believe I can firmly assert that you can buy 
> and use this new telescopic model with the utmost confidence.  Just one 
> more observation.  When you are shore-lining a fence, the new tip is not 
> prone to getting stuck in the links of the fence as you move along; unlike 
> the standard old tip.
>
> On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, I'd say the new model of 
> telescopic carbon fiber cane rates a 10.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> Facebook:
> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
>
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