[Blindtlk] [nfb-talk] new NFB canes

Mon Aug 22 22:10:50 UTC 2011

Most people I’ve seen just put their hand on top and try ramming it 
downward repeatedly until the cane collapses.  The physics of doing 
it that way will of a certainty wear the joints quickly and unevenly.  
Perhaps not so much with carbon fiber, but certainly fiberglass will 
eventually splinter and otherwise become unusable over time when 
exposed to that kind of treatment.

The more gentle way to close the thing is to twist each section 
loose.  The twisting will tend to apply the force more evenly to the 
joint, and once you overcome the static friction, the joints will 
come apart easily.

I find you do sometimes have to tap the bottom joint loose, but this 
can be done with less stress than trying to collapse five or six 
joints at once in a "smooth" motion.

I find it doesn’t take that significantly much longer to do it this 
way, either.  It just requires more care, and admittedly both hands.  
But I have found telescopic cane joints over the years to be much 
less fragile as a result.  The top cap is another matter, and of 
course that’s the first major improvement of Chris Park’s telescopic 
cane design that people notice.

I did not regularly use a telescopic cane before because the caps 
were fragile and because the sections did collapse themselves too 
easily.  Chris Park has solved both problems.  I still use a rigid 
cane primarily (also his design), but I am happy to use either one.

I did have to re-glue the stud in the rigid cane, but it wasn’t too 
hard to do given the right adhesive.

Joseph - KF7QZC

On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 04:04:16PM -0400, Graves, Diane wrote:
>Niki
>
>They aren't necessarily more durable. Most are made of either carbon fiber or fiberglass. The telescoping canes just kind of collapse so that the cane collapses inside the handle. You just do this by tapping the cane on the ground until it gives and then you just either draw the cane up or push it downward. I like the concept a lot. They're sleek and can slip right into a purse. What I don't like is they're tendency to collapse if they are not pulled tight enough which becomes more difficult as they age. I am anxious to try this new telescoping cane, and see if it is better about this.
>
>
>Diane Graves
>Civil Rights Specialist
>Indiana Civil Rights Commission
>Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
>317-232-2647
>
>"It is service that measures success."
>George Washington Carver
>
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>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nikki
>Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 3:56 PM
>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] [nfb-talk] new NFB canes
>
>    Thanks and yes, I would have to agree with you on the straight canes
>being a hassle.
>How do telescope canes fold up?
>Are they lighter or more durable?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Graves, Diane
>Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 2:28 PM
>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] [nfb-talk] new NFB canes
>
>Niki,
>
>You might try the telescoping canes, or even the straight canes. I
>personally don't like the straight canes much because they can't be put up
>when in a car, a restaurant or other places where things are really close
>quarters. But a lot of people prefer the straight canes.
>
>Diane Graves
>Civil Rights Specialist
>Indiana Civil Rights Commission
>Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
>317-232-2647
>
>"It is service that measures success."
>George Washington Carver
>
>Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential
>and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or
>entity(ies)
>named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
>advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting
>in reliance
>upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
>received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Nikki
>Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 3:11 PM
>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] [nfb-talk] new NFB canes
>
>    Not to butt in, but I was curious about something.
>Is there a new kind of cane that is lighter weight than the graphite folding
>canes?
>I'm tired of having to fold my cane every time I get in a car or at the
>grocery store with my mom, I don't like making people wait on me.
>
>So any insight would be nice.
>Thanks and God bless you all.
>Nikki
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Cindy Handel
>Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 1:49 PM
>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] [nfb-talk] new NFB canes
>
>Oh, OK. Thanks.  I have heard of these. There was actually a discussion of
>them on this list a few weeks ago.
>
>I have a 50/50 cane, which I use on occasion. But, I'll still stick with my
>long, straight fiberglass cane. It's the best I've found.
>
>Cindy
>
>
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