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

[Peter Wolf]

Hey Dave,

I agree about that NFB carbon cane.  It is amazing.  I have to say that with the particular vision issues I have, I am very fortunate to have a good amount of speed and agility when I walk, and it means getting into changing situations.  In part from that, and in part from physical disciplines that has included lifetime martial arts, former classical ballet and a bunch of really out there trainings in the past.  Because at 60, I could have really “tanked” when the vision impairment happened, for my personal sanity I just must keep pushing my limits as I can, and blowing out what I think are limits.  It’s a positive warrior mindset that means definitely getting into situations where I “tuck and go” too regularly to keep my cane extended all the time.  Sometimes for example, it means exchanging a shoping cart in my walk for cane to get through a store faster without juggling or dropping and picking up the extended cane.  So I agree wholeheartedly about that NFB cane which blew my mind when I took one for spin as San Francisco Lighthouse once.  That was awesome.  But for me, gotta stay my course.  Thanks for the thoughts!

Peter

On Jan 21, 2017, at 12:05 PM, David Andrews via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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:
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindtlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/pwolf1%40wolfskills.com
>