Pros: Overall Quality, Materials, Finish
Cons: None
Some thoughts about the Cold Steel Heavy Duty Sword Cane
I just purchased the Cold Steel "Heavy Duty Sword Cane," (the 100th sword, in my private collection) after watching multiple on-line demonstration videos, about it.. I held a degree of trepidation about buying this somewhat "stodgy-looking" sword cane, because I was (am) *so disappointed* with the quality of Cold Steel's "Aluminum Head Sword Cane"--which, sadly, turned out to be the 'crap,' that Lynn Thompson so fervently tells us in his sales video, that his sword canes, are *not* ( ... compared to his competitors' sword canes)... But, having an "instinct" about the Heavy Duty Sword Cane, I ordered one from the folks at The Knife Center... I have had it for about a week--and to my pleasant surprise, I am beginning to like it--appreciate it--more and more, as the days go by... Yes--as other people have stated, on-line--one of the O-rings, employed to suction-grip the hilt to the thick aluminum shaft, did break-up, with only a couple of hard tugs on the crooked-handle.. which I must caution, that after extensively handling all types of swords, over the past 40 years, the Heavy Duty Sword Cane was initially, the most *difficult* to extract from its "scabbard" (its aluminum shaft)... which in a dire, "threat-situation," can leave you, *dead*... Ironically, the partially disintegrated O-ring (half of it, remains within its deep, circular groove), has made it easier to extract the hilt from the shaft... I am also pleasantly surprised that the finish on this stealthier-looking sword cane ("stealthier"--because of the very fact that it *does* simply appear to be a piece of "medical equipment") , is much *better* than the vulnerable, and *easily* scratched or chipped fiberglass-composite shafts, and aluminum heads, of Cold Steel's "City Stick" and "Aluminum Head Sword Cane"... But, saving the best-for-last-- it is the 24 inch 1055 high carbon steel blade, that has garnered my *admiration*, for what I feel to be, one of the only, true, highly-functional sword cane blades on the world-market, today... This 3/4 inch-wide, stiff-but-resilient, partly double-edged and nicely-finished blade, is not just--as they used to say--a "pig-sticker"... not just a glorified bayonet: it's spear-shaped tip and sharp edges, *will* save your life, if the horrible need ever arises... It is very light, quick and maneuverable, featuring a fairly thick spine, that extends approximately two-thirds the length of the blade's topside, which then transitions into that double edged (eight inch) "coup-de-gras" blow for any opponent wishing you ill-will... What remains to be seen, for me, is just how well the various parts (including the thick, rubberized drag-collar) of the Cold Steel "Heavy Duty Sword Cane," holds-up with everyday use, over a period of time.... But for The Knife Center's price of $89.95--I would be hard-pressed, not to take this bargain-for-the-money, over almost any other sword cane on the international market--some which will literally cost you * ten times* the price, and will not protect you better... The questions to ask yourself, are: "What do I *want* from this product...? Do I simply want a reliable "third leg"...? a staunch medical aid ...? Or do I want a "tool," which will combine the best features of personal stability when walking, with the *most efficient* means of repelling a potential armed-attacker...? The choice is ours... As for me--if the Cold Steel Heavy Duty Sword Cane does indeed last well, and last long, I will be buying two more of them, as "back-ups".