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     A cane is a long, straight wooden stick, generally of bamboo, Malacca (rattan), or some similar plant, mainly used as a support, such as a walking stick or as an instrument of punishment. Depending on the use it is left in its natural state or improved (e.g., smoothened, varnished).

Walking stick

     Around the 17th or 18th century, the cane took over for the sword as an essential part of the European gentleman's wardrobe, used primarily as a Walking stick. In addition to its value as a decorative accessory, the cane also continued to fulfill some of the function of the sword as a weapon. The standard cane was rattan (especially Malacca) with a rounded metal grip. Some canes had specially weighted metalwork. Other types of wood, such as hickory, are equally suitable.

     Walking sticks started out as a necessary tool for the Shepherd and traveler. A nice hefty stick was an excellent way to protect against thieves and to keep animals in line. Over time, the walking stick gradually began to be known as a symbol for power and strength, and eventually authority and social prestige. Rulers of many cultures, past and present, have carried some form of walking stick or staff.

     In the United States, presidents have often carried canes and received them as gifts. The Smithsonian has a cane given to George Washington by Ben Franklin. It features a gold handle in the shape of a French liberty cap. In our time, walking sticks are usually only seen with formal attire. Collectors of canes look for the old, the new and the novel (such as canes made from the penises of bison or bulls). Canes with hidden features such as hidden compartments, pool sticks, and sword canes are popular among collectors. Handles have been made from many substances, both natural and man-made. Carved and decorated canes have turned the functional into the fantastic.

    Some canes have hollowed out compartments near the top where flasks or vials of alcohol can be hidden and spring out when needed.

    When used as a mobility or stability aide, canes are generally used in the hand opposite the injury or weakness. This may appear counter-intuitive, but this allows the cane to used for stability in a way that lets the user shift much of their weight onto the cane and away from their weaker side as they walk. Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in their dominant hand means some cane users choose to hold the cane on their injured side.


Weapon

     It is apparently the case that a license was required to carry a cane in London during the 18th century, possibly because of the use as a weapon, in essence a fighting stick.

     A particular type of walking stick was created, called Swordstick. This concealed a blade within the stem, which can be made to appear from a cane so as to convert it into a (normally hidden) weapon.

     See the article La canne for the French martial art using the cane as a weapon. The cane also shows up in some styles of Eskrima, and Irish Bata.

     In 1912 an American civil engineer named Andrew Chase Cunningham produced a booklet on the use of a cane in self defense, entitled The Cane as a Weapon.


Disciplinary and coercive implement

     Rattan canes especially are used to beat someone, generally on the buttocks or the palm of the hand, as a form of physical punishment, (often as a paddling) specifically known as caning (see that article for all details), both domestic and judicial, and traditional in various cultures, notably England and many nations of the Commonwealth.

     The Hindi word lathi designates the circa 1.2 meter long and about 2.5 cm thick rattan rod, used by Indian police for riot control and (unofficial, even illegal) prison discipline. The verb used for this action is to lathi-charge/lathicharhe

Other uses of canes

• In gardening, bamboos are traditional strong, natural supports for growing plants and/or as markers;
• For marking out a piece of ground;
• Durable bamboo species are still popular as a material for constructing furniture or in Asia buildings and as scaffolding;
• Like the staff, the cane has been used -often above its supporting or other physical function(s) — as an attribute (e.g., swagger cane) or as a more prosaic symbol (e.g., the white cane for the blind).