Gizmodo: cane

Stabbin' Cane Provides Two Functions: Walking Support and Stabbin'

Adam Frucci — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:50:00 EST

If you aren't strong enough to walk without a cane yet still want to be able to stab people who mess with you, this Stabbin' Cane is for you.

Sure, it may be designed for use in the snow, where a normal, rubber-footed cane wouldn't be too stable, we all know what it's really designed for: stabbin'. Simply push the button at the top to push the spike out at the bottom, and prepare to severely punish any mugger who thinks a little old lady is easy pickings. [Amazon via Book of Joe]

Hands-Free GPS Device for the Blind Could Make You a Superhero

Andi Wang — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:07:51 EDT

The Navigation aid for the Blind headset is a GPS device, which not only works through speech recognition, but also uses obstacle detection technology that alerts the blind of any sleeping bums or other obstructions he could trip over as he is being guided to his destination.

In 2003, we reported on a GPS navigation device that led the visually impaired to their impending doom due to an "inaccuracy" of the system.

Although this new GPS device is not as cuddly as a guide dog, it is made up of one earpiece and microphone, which would allow the blind a certain anonymity, kind of like Daredevil, in that he would no longer need a cane or furry pet, which would leave both of his hands free ... to fight crime, perhaps? [create the future contest via gizmag]

Walking Stick with Built-in Telescope: for the Victorian Perv in You

Kit Eaton — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:47:38 EDT

Not quite as high-tech as the CIA spy gear Wilson's been showing, but almost a steampunk modding of a normal walking stick... this cane with built-in telescope gave me a smile the moment I saw it. Mainly because I pictured a Victorian gent strolling along, then popping out the 3x mag telescope to steal a forbidden glimpse of distant ankle. Simpler days, eh? It has a one-inch wide, 37-inch high African rosewood stick, so it should be good as a real walking aid, and there's a brass handle for an extra touch of style. It's available now for $89.95... useful for countryside strolls, and, of course, for the odd bit of *ahem* bird-spotting. [HammacherSchlemmer via Red Ferret]

Respect The Old School Cane, For Punk Kid Smackdowns

Charlie White — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:10:00 EDT

Some of us old cane-carrying codgers don't get no respect, we don't get no respect at all. That's why we need this cane with a RESPECT stamp on the business end, leaving a mark on those punk whippersnappers who want to disrespect us with their "rap music" and hepcat attitudes. Well sir, those days are gone, yessiree, because some enterprising young designer has created this Respect the Old School cane. As soon as its curmudgeonly carrier (who hasn't learned yet that respect can't be commanded, it must be earned) wants to stamp down those who don't bow at his feet, all he needs to do is take the self-inking cover off the bottom of this cane and get to stamping. Seems like an innovative design concept. [Glueglue Design, via Notcot]

Cane Map Empowers Old Man Adventurers

Jason Chen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:15:39 EDT

When we see something like this Cane Map, all we can think of is the Sean Connery-esque Colonel Gentleman from Venture Bros., but we suspect any old dude will find it incredibly useful. You see, it's a cane, but it's also a map—the duality of which probably exploded as many minds when it was invented back in 1940 as the atomic bombs tests around the same time. Except this map (made for the American Legion National Convention) is of Boston, where the only treasure you'll find are the highways leading out. [CooperHewitt via Wired via Sci Fi]