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

[David Andrews]

My experience is that the lightest, and most 
sensitive cane is the NFB carbon fiber straight 
cane. I used them for a while, but went through 3 
in 2 weeks, so went back to fiberglass.

I know that many blind people use folding canes, 
and prefer to do so because they can easily fold 
them, and put them away. While I understand this, 
personally, I find them to be a less reliable 
tool. I think you can learn how to handle a 
straight cane in most situations, learning how to 
handle it in a car, restaurants, etc. It may not 
be quite as convenient, but for me, it is 
outweighed by its reliability. I have learned how 
to easily store it by talking to others, experimenting etc.

Each of us must do what we are comfortable with 
-- however, I urge you to not reject straight canes out of hand.

I use a folding or telescoping cane in certain 
situations, I always have one with me when I 
travel, and I would use one if I went to an 
amusement park, with rides, or if I went dancing. 
I used to be very nervous about flying with a 
straight cane, but eventually got over it. I try 
and get an window seat, and just put it along the fuselage wall.

Dave

At 02:19 AM 1/21/2017, you wrote:
>Dave,
>
>I appreciate the suggestion.   Yes, I have tried 
>straight canes, including NFB, both straight 
>fiberglass and also their lighter straight and 
>telescoping.  And wow, particularly the lighter 
>ones, holy smokes those are the Masarati of canes!
>
>With my mobility and where I go in business and 
>some other places, I do need to transition and 
>open and fold regularly.  So straight is 
>out.    Wow, if only I could drive an NFB 
>telescoping, those things are mind blowing in 
>lightness and sensitivity, but I’d have it 
>crunched in two weeks.  Let’s see, that’s about 
>$140 a month for cane replacement
gotta pass on that.
>
>Alas, with my proprioception, where I want 
>sensitivity, but can miss ground or landscape 
>cues, there seems one optimal cane light enough 
>that folds, and that I’ve proven to use well and 
>not break after trying so many over time, as 
>ambutech.  Revolutions are wonderful and 
>sensitive canes, but not quite as sturdy in 
>graphite.  There's one in my wife’s car now that 
>I’d like to replace.  Of course, there’s always 
>aluminum, and the joints would be good, but the 
>lighter nimbleness of graphite is optimal for my 
>walking speed vs. arc.  I think I’ve tried about 
>all the canes out there, but keep coming back to 
>Ambutech graphite.  That’s why I’ve sent out the offer.
>
>Thanks and good wishes,
>Peter
>
>
>On Jan 20, 2017, at 9:38 PM, David Andrews via 
>blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> > I would like to suggest a straight cane, such 
> as the NFB fiberglass cane.  It is light, 
> doesn't have give because it is one piece, and 
> you don't have to worry about it going together properly.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 06:43 PM 1/20/2017, you wrote:
> >
> >
> >> 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: