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Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
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Cold Steel City Stick
A Product Review by Phil Elmore
Cold Steel has a reputation for selling
durable, high-quality products at
reasonable prices, at least by higher-end production standards. Long
known for its knives, it wasn’t all that long ago that CS started
producing
a walking stick called the City Stick. Recently I decided I wanted
to carry such a stick on a regular basis, and the style and alleged
strength of this particular crookless cane appeal to me.
The
City Stick is about 37.5 inches long (roughly 95 cm). The shaft,
composed of layers of fiberglass, is slightly tapered. The stainless
steel head is attractive, vaguely bell-shaped, and about 2.5 inches (6 cm)
tall. While the shaft is very light, the mirror-polished head is
substantial. It would do significant damage to anyone cracked in the
noggin with it. At least in theory, the fiberglass shaft to which it
is attached is virtually unbreakable.
Point of
balance is perhaps a foot (32 cm), or slightly more, from the head.
The cane handles somewhat awkwardly as a result, though this passes as one
becomes familiar with its head-heavy nature.
The
cap on the “foot” end of the stick feels more like a hard
plastic than the expected pliable rubber. This means the stick will
have less traction than it otherwise could, though I suppose the
cap is more durable than traditional rubber tips.
If
I have one major complaint about the City Stick, it is that the finish on
the shaft seems very fragile. I spotted one tiny bubble in the
coating when I first examined the cane, and the shaft picks up and holds
fingerprints like some glossy book covers do. I imagine that the
appearance of the stick will degrade with use, as the finish will take
various chips and scars and such.
If you need a
little extra… support, regardless of to where you’re walking, consider the
City Stick.
A crook-top cane
may be more to your liking for a variety of reasons, but if not, this
dapper-looking stick may suit you.