Customer Reviews

Cold Steel African Walking Stick, 37-Inch

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had seen the African Walking Stick/Knobkerrie in the Cold Steel catalog and was struck by the familiar design. Despite the dearth of reviews, I put it on the Christmas wish list. And here it is Christmas day and I have one in my hand. (Makes it a bit hard to type...)

I have a vintage African walking stick, purchased at auction, that has been my companion on many walks over the years. It has held up well, but the tip now shows some wear and there are chunks missing out of the knob (perhaps from contact with another "knob", long before I had it). I wanted a "workhorse" version of the original, one I could bash up and thus save the antique from further distress.

The two sticks are beside me now, for comparison. The Cold Steel version is about 2 inches shorter and half again as thick in the shaft as the wooden one; the knobs are about the same size, though the burl head on my wooden one is more oval than round. I've just put them on a scale -- the polypropylene stick is just under 2 ounces heavier.

I am 6'4", and one of the things which attracted me to the Cold Steel stick was the 37" length -- many canes/sticks are shorter, and the 37" length is about the lower limit for me to have a comfortable angle of the arm when resting a stick on the ground. But this design is not really intended to serve as a cane; "walking sticks" are sticks you have with you when walking, and are typically carried rather than rapped upon the ground. The knob serves as a mace head for defense, but also is a counterbalance for the shaft, important for proper swinging of the arm.

The two sticks have very similar balance points, which suggests to me observation and care on the part of the designer(s) since a poor balance more rapidly tires the arm. Bent strongly across the knee, the polypropylene stick flexes less than 2 inches, then instantly returns to straightness. Rapped on the floor, the stick makes a good solid "thud". The knob fits comfortably in my largish hand; the knob might be slightly too large and the stick slightly too heavy for a person of slight frame to use constantly. The "beaded" shaft makes for a good grip.

Overall, I give this stick high marks. It is a worthy version of a classic design, and I look forward to having it with me on walks/hikes. Nothing better than having a third leg on a steep trail, or a longer arm with a heavier fist when things get tight.

------------------------------------------

Followup --

I've had this product for a while now and am returning with some further impressions/insight.

Something I had been concerned about was the thermal characteristic of the polypropylene plastic; specifically, whether it would be uncomfortably chilly for winter use. I find the plastic is similar to wood in how it heats up and cools off -- I left it in the car overnight in below-freezing weather, took it in my bare hand in the morning, and it warmed up like the wooden staff I had left beside it. It will be a while before I can try the black material in full desert sun.

I've been putting the stick through the paces, and have found several uses for it which would perhaps surprise the makers:

1) Isometric exercise. Hold the stick with straight arms at chest level, gripping it with one hand at each end (one hand just below the knob), and put it under pressure like you are trying to bend it. (It will flex slightly.) While keeping it under tension, raise your straight arms in front of you until they are over your head, then reverse and bring the stick back down to your thighs. Now do the same thing with the stick vertical in front of you, and twist from side to side while keeping the stick flexed. A surprisingly effective workout; the stick flexes just enough to engage the muscles to keep it under tension, and your chest muscles get a workout too. Exchange your grip and repeat -- the "bead" toward the bottom of the stick is smaller than the one near the knob, and exchanging hands gives a different workout to hand and forearm. Try also a motion to the side like you are paddling a canoe, while keeping the stick under tension.

2) Tote yoke. I tried hanging two full bags (15-20 lbs each) on the stick. The beads keep the handles from slipping off, and the bead at the balance point makes for a natural grip when carrying at your side -- *much* more comfortable than carrying the same bags by the handles and easy to switch from hand to hand. I tried the same arrangement resting across my shoulder, and found the beads make a reasonably comfortable rest there. (A bandanna/t-shirt wrapped around that point might make it more comfortable for a long haul.) Instant yoke for carrying bags or buckets.

3) Foot massager. OK, I know this one is "out there" for people primarily considering this as a self-defense weapon, but it works! Roll the stick across the floor under your foot, with medium pressure. The various-sized beads on the staff allow different pressure points, and the geodesic head is great under the arch. After a long hike, a good way to relax the feet.

The only problem I found with the stick was a small, slightly sharp molding seam that went across one edge of the geodesic head. An emery board made short work of smoothing that off. I will say again that the stick may be slightly too heavy for daily use by a smaller person.

I continue to be pleased with this stick, and recommend it along the lines I have discussed.

Okay, I'll be honest. I was hoping for something a little closer to a wood-grain feel, but, Cold Steel DOES state that this is a high-impact injected plastic. So, it is what it is. It is a good walking-stick (although the tip could use a little more graded surface, it tends to slip on slick surfaces) and, well, to be honest, it could be used in a pinch as pretty serious club. So, all in all, I'm satisfied with my purchase.

First,I am pleased with this stick. Just a few things that you might want to know.
1, you need a rubber end for the tip. it can and will slide on hard or wet surfaces.
2,the ball end is a bit on the large side,baseball size, easy enough to handle if the have large hands but smaller hands not so much.
3, this isn't a light weight, you may want something lighter if your going on an all day walk.
All that being said I still really like this cane. I feel like I could stop a bear in its tracks using it if I had to. OK! at least a big dog/mugger.

I'm 6' 5" 300lbs and was a little afraid to purchase this item because of all the mixed reviews. I occasionally require a walking aid, and I own a little 7 pound dog that attracts the unwanted attention of some of the aggressive dogs in the neighborhood. I walk 3 to 5 miles a day, and for the last week I've used my Cold Steel African Walking Stick.
--LET ME CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP--
1) THE STICK IS NOT HOLLOW, AND ALSO DOES NOT HAVE A STEEL CORE. THIS BEAST IS SOLID AND RIDGED.
2) THE HANDEL AND KNOB ARE VERY LARGE FASHIONED AFTER AN AFRICAN KERRIE OR KNOBKERRIE
3) THESE CANES (and many other quality canes) DO NOT COME WITH A RUBBER TIP, BUT 1" TIPS ARE AVAILABLE AT EVERY DRUGSTORE (even in my tiny little 1 horse town) EXCEPT WAL-MART.
This is the perfect walking stick for me, I'm big all over and the length and handle size fit my larger than average size wonderfully. I can put my full weight on it, and it supports me fine. (before this test install the rubber tip the plastic tip is slicker than snot even on rough pavement). I've used it in the mountains and the city, and will have a hard time leaving for a long walk without it whether my feet are hurting or not this is my third favorite walking companion next to my wife and my dog. Thank you Cold Steel for building such an excellent item. To the people who felt this was flimsy, or weak, you must truly be huge... Have you considered a long crowbar or small truck axle for a walking aid. Maybe just have some 1" stainless bar stock cut to fit. You'll not find a stronger more sturdy walking aid that's this light and attractive for anywhere near this price.
P.S. IF YOU'RE NOT BIG LIKE ME, LOOK INTO THE IRISH BLACK THORN OR DRAGON'S HEAD WALKING STICKS BY COLD STEEL. THE HEADS ARE SMALLER AND ANY SAW WILL CUT'EM DOWN FOR ALL THE REST OF YOU WEE LITTLE FOLKS. HAPPY TRAILS

I like the large head on this one. It gives good support when I am using it as a walking stick. I painted mine and it took the paint well. Incredibly sturdy. In fact I used it as a club against my heavy bag and it showed no signs of stress at all. Then I used it against a couple of dead trunks and then against some escrima sticks. This Cold Steel African Walking Stick is practically indestructible. I also have the Cold Steel Walkabout Stick, their Blackthorn Walking Stick and their City Stick. Each one is excellent.

Cold Steel says of its stick material: "In addition to being unbreakable, it's [polypropylene] also impervious to the elements. It will never rot, warp, crack, splinter, swell, shrink, mildew or fade..."

As an MS patient and stick collector, I went for Cold Steel's Kerry (the African walking stick) with all the enthusiasm in the world. I loved everything from its geodesic knob grip to its undulating shaft design. All good facsimiles of a genuine Kerry from Africa.

The knob on this thing is trouble: it is 9" (23cm) in circumference, which makes it akin to a softball. My hand barely fits around it and my hands are huge. When I tried to walk with it anyway, I noticed something peculiar: this does not handle or distribute the shock of walking very well. The thing vibrates like a Peruvian lute.

The value of this as a collector's item is fair; I know its main appeal is for its self-defense qualities (hence the 9-inch knob). The trouble is with polypropylene, you never have a sure grip because of the impact vibration 'intolerance'. While I might suggest this generally as a good orthopedic walking aid, I'd certainly warn against it in special cases.

One should be able to show one's doctor a stick and have the doctor approve. Otherwise the stick cannot be rated as orthopedically safe. Cold Steel's Kerry is a tough call to make. I can only say if you do get one, be sure you have an adequate 1" rubber tip and a sure method of gripping the knob handle.

Finally, this is a reasonable cost for these sticks. DO NOT pay more than this. Cold Steel bottomed out because they originally wanted around $60 for these sticks. They are certainly not worth that, well made though they are.

You will notice, if you check my review, there is a similarity in the review I wrote for Cold Steel's polypropylene "Irish Blackthorn" shillelagh. The reason is these two sticks are virtually identical in construction/dimension. I can only warn that you will not care for this at all if you prefer a slender, elegant stick. Cold Steel sells polypropylene CLUBS!

To be clear, I had been searching for a walking stick made of plastic or some other synthetic material. This was due to working on construction sites and the dangers of electrical shock. I have also bent aluminum poles when they have penetrated the thin topsoil layer in between boulders covered by it, and the pole bearing a good portion of my full weight as I regain balance. I am 5' 8" and weigh 225 lbs. I have a neurological condition that makes it prudent for me to walk on uneven ground with some kind of cane, or trekking pole. I enjoy walking on nature trails and hiking paths that are considered to be of easy to moderate difficulty in the White mountains area. I put a rubber cane tip on my African walking stick. The appropriate size is one inch, but the store only had three quarter. I was able to jam it on. I have walked about 4 miles on it so far and it does not look like it will come off. For "therapeutic use" the African Walking stick is slightly longer than optimum for my height. I found no issue with this. I was concerned that it would be too short for trail hiking. I haven't been on a steeper trail with it yet, but found no disadvantage on rolling terrain. My hands I would call small- medium, but I tend to wear large gloves because my fingers are fat. The head of the African Walking stick is about the size of a baseball. On first day walking dog about a mile on paved roads I noticed a little fatigue in my cane hand. Very next day about 2 miles on trails, and off trail through low brush no hand issues whatsoever. Found suitable rock crevices and jammed the pole in, and applied a significant amount of weight to it. Stick flexed slightly but returned to original shape. I haven't smashed any cinder blocks with it, but I did dispatch several branches in the 1 inch range with a moderate two handed swing. I am extremely happy with this stick. If you use a cane with any regularity, you probably have more than one, as I do. I have ones that are by all means lighter and cosmetically dressier. For cost, functionality, and durability, I couldn't be happier. For a person with significant mobility issues, or one who is climbing Mt. Washington in winter, you probably already have something for that purpose.
I have a Cold Steel Irish Blackthorn on it's way as we speak..

This walking stick/club is great for someone that goes backpacking. Yes you could use a ski pole but unless you fashion a knife to it its practically useless in defense. Has a great feel to it, you can grab it anywhere and its comfortable. The head is the size of a baseball and feels good in the hand, as well as to lean on. Its NOT hollow! There is a small hole at the bottom that doesn't go very far, because its injection molded. However 2 down sides that I can see to this product. The end is slick on slick surfaces, you should invest in a black rubber fitting. Second its a bit heavy for a walking stick. This is Good in defense though so I didn't star it down for that quality. For someone that is injured its probably not the best option because of the weight and size but I would use it. Great outdoor product for the price!

got this for costume purposes because of its unique looks. its solid and its bigger than the pictures show. ive noticed this in the cold steel products. the war club is like that too, its really big. I'm 6'2" and the length is just right to lean on while walking. the tip is very slick, you NEED to put a rubber boot on. if your looking for a defensive item its balanced well, and has a enough weight to really lay into someone.

down side- because of the material its slick. so if you do swing it for some reason you need a good grip on it, or something like grip tape.

I purchased the Cold Steel African Walking Stick after reading several reviews online. The reason that I purchased this stick is because I have the Cold Steel City Stick and I love it. The only problem that I have is that I have a tendency to drop it when I have to lean it against something. Thereby leaving several dings in the removeable knob on the end. So I was looking for an inexpensive replacement that I can use everyday (I have bad knees, and I do Kali). I got this and I was not impressed with the size of it. Luckily I have big hand so the ball on the end is not to big for me, but I still don't like it. Another problem that I have is that it dosen't feel very sturdy to me. And the final and bigest problem that I have is that it dosen't come with a rubber tip for the end. I was walking in the mall and the stick slipped out from under me, luckily I did not have a lot of weight on it. I there defense the City Stick did not come with a rubber cane tip. I bought one at Walmart. I am still looking for a cane tip to fit this stick, then I thick I will like it better. I have not tried to use it in the realm of self defense yet and I hopefully will never have to.