• Cane
Must have a comfortable handle, be weight bearing, have a rubber tip on the bottom, and be a suitable length for the user.
• Walking Stick
A very general term - covers any type of stick. Most usually not used for support but some can be used that way. More often used for country walks, walking a dog, exercise, balance. Length is usually about wrist height, with some type of handle or knob so the hand can rest on top of the stick.
• Hiking Staff
Most often used for day hikes, backpacking, trekking. Length is usually between elbow and shoulder height and is held on the side like picking up a long broom handle.
• T-Handle - Support Handle
Orthopedic shape - has handle offset over the stick so weight is always over the shaft, not at the back of it. The handle is usually a wave shape to better fit the palm of the hand.
• Crook
A handle shape like the top of a candy cane. Good for hanging over the back of chairs and your arm, but the weight is always behind the main shaft.
• Man's
Handle and shaft size suitable for the size of a man's hand.
• Women's
Handle and shaft size suitable for the smaller size of a woman's hand.
• Custom
Mark Fontaine makes the cane to order for the user's weight and height. You can view the CUSTOM canes on our web site under both the Men's and Womens sections.
• Ready-Made
Canes, walking sticks and hiking staffs made by other manufacturers, which we offer and strive to have in stock at all times for those who need a cane very quickly.
• Right/Left Hand
Handle is made of molded plastic to mirror the shape of the palm. One size fits all.
• Folding
Cane or stick which folds into sections by means of an elasticized cord running through the middle of a hollow metal tube. These are rarely, if ever, made of wood!
• Adjustable
Means you can change the length yourself, within the limits of the range of the item.
• Novelty
Item more suitable for fun and casual walking than to giving support.
• Painted
Colorful designs have been hand painted onto the wooden shaft or handle and then a protective clear coating applied. These are found under the section Fabric/Painted in the Womens Canes category.
• Fabric
The Fabric canes we make are only found in our Fabric/Painted section under Womens Canes category. You can choose from many different fabrics or send your own fabric. A wooden shaft is covered with a colorful fabric and then a protective crystal clear coating applied - very tough!
• Natural Woods
The shaft of the cane is made of a natural branch of a tree, and has not been cut out of a plank. Usually stronger than their size would indicate.
• Dressy
Suitable for stepping out, weddings, city walking, looking cool!
• Rustic
Natural woods with a country feel.
• Sim. (simulated)
Pretending to be something "rare" by taking its "color". Examples are the simulated Tortoiseshell brown color, simulated Ivory off-white color, etc.
• Dia. (diameter)
Indicates the width of the cross section of a shaft.