[Blindtlk] {Spam?} An offer to buy a new Ambutech cane for you, in exchange for your older model.

[Peter Wolf]

Hello fellow white cane-pilots!

I’ve been on the NADGU list for quite some time, but just joined blindtalk today, to make contact with fellow cane users.  I’d like to open with a specific request, and an offer.

I am looking for an Ambutech cane that is older than one and a half to two years old.  If you use one, I am offering to purchase a new updated model through Ambutech, and have then ship it to you - in exchange for your older cane.  I’ll explain the reason below:  

First, what is the difference in canes?  For years, Ambutech was making their folding graphite canes, in 5 or 6 sections, with joints that had a straight aluminum sleeve tube in them.  It was similar in shape to the kind of sleeve tube joint that Revolution canes have, (except that Revolution’s tube insert is made of graphite, not aluminum).  Otherwise, Revolution's were (and still are) about the same type of joint sleeve.  I think this is also about the same for both Ambutech’s and Revolution’s aluminum canes too.

Almost two years ago, Ambutech improved their graphite folding canes, and upgraded the cane joints from a straight tube sleeve, into a neat, more precisely fitting, slightly conical joint.  For most folks, this is great - it makes the newer cane snap and cleanly and almost instantly to extension when you let it out, without having to play around, or wait, or grab a dangling joint to stuff it in.  The shape of the improved conical joint makes it almost jump and click right into extended position, rather than having to get the angle and timing to feed the tubes straight in.  It is a cool new design, and many people like it’s improvement.

But, I have some proprioception issues, and I have injured a shoulder.  Although the cane is improved and would to another person feel easier to use, I am finding that with my particular angle to pull when I separate fold my new model Ambutech, it’s precisely the angle where I had torn a shoulder tendon.  So my shoulder stays “hot”.   Because I seem to pull at a slightly different angle when separating the older cane, is less painful to do than the new one.  Too bad for me, because when Ambutech improved the joints in the cane, it eliminated some of the “play" in the joints, which makes the new cane seem both significantly more sensitive to ground touch, and makes it also makes the cane seem lighter to me because of it as well.  

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, I lost my preferred older cane.   

They don’t make the old style anymore.  So I’m reaching out to fellow users to find one, with an offer:  

If you own one of Ambutech’s graphite canes, that is about a year and a half to two years old, (five or six section, in reasonable shape), and you might appreciate getting a brand new upgraded model, my offer is to purchase a new one through Ambutech and have them ship it directly to you, in trade for your old one!   Once you have received your new cane from them, send me the old one!  I don't care if yours was new or pretty, just in good functional shape. 

I use a 56 inch, but if you have a 54 or 58 I might still do it.  We are a big population, and who wouldn’t want a new upgraded cane (except me!)…  So it is likely that more than one of you will respond.  Since the old “tube" model will eventually work itself out of circulation, and I don’t see the shoulder issue going away soon, I am willing to buy a new cane for more than one of you.  That would put a couple of older backup canes into my closet, and replace the one that I keep in my wife’s car too.  Once I’ve had enough response, I’ll write a message on list saying either “thanks, all set”, or if I’m inundated with requests… “Uncle!”    

Ok, plan b:   There must be a bunch of you who’ve discovered the great pocket size of a folded 5 or 6 section.  But if somehow not enough of you have, I’d still consider a 4-section if necessary.  So if you have a 4 section and are interested, please do let me know at least.   

If you can respond to this through the list, great.   Or if it is better, my private email is pwolf1 at wolfskills.com.   My phone number is 707-829-0776 (near San Francisco).  We are having some trouble with wet phone main lines out there in the rains, which AT&T doesn’t maintain well unfortunately.  This can affect incoming calls.  So if you don’t reach me, just go back to email and I’ll be happy to call back if you prefer the phone.  

Thanks so much everyone!

I look forward to knowing you guys.  I’ve been working with vision impairment for seven years now, and it’s been really fantastic to share company, resources and any way I can contribute in the community. 

Best wishes,

Peter Wolf

P.S. :   If you or someone you know can make use of a picture for comparison, we’ll get photos of the new and old cane joint style into the email below so that the two styles are clear:


a)  Peter is looking for this style, with the aluminum tube.  Here is a picture of it:



b)  This is the slightly conical cane joint that is in the new upgraded model.  There isn’t a tube, both parts are shorter, and both are black: