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

[Joshua Lester]

Ray, I'm getting one at convention, (if I'm able to attend.)
Blessings, Joshua

On 4/5/11, Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net> wrote:
> 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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