About Classic Canes

The History behind the Classic Canes Company

The story of walking stick specialist Classic Canes began in 1977, when Ben and Diana Porter bought a romantic but ruined hunting lodge set in neglected woodland in the farming county of Somerset, England. The house was rebuilt during the early 1980s, and large areas of the woodland converted to the centuries-old system of 'coppice with standards'. Underneath the large beech and ash trees, the sustainable forestry technique of coppicing produces a never-ending supply of naturally regenerating raw material suitable for the production of walking sticks.   

Enquiries among local shopkeepers revealed a demand for good quality walking sticks, and so Classic Canes was founded in 1982 as a walking stick supplier to this market. Traditionally, walking sticks are sold through leather goods and country clothing shops, saddlers, tobacconists, department stores and quality gift shops. In recent years, healthcare shops, mail order catalogues, handbag and accessories stores, internet retailers and garden centres have also become successful sellers of walking sticks. Indeed, almost any type of shop can sell walking sticks!

Classic Canes now stocks over 650 models of walking sticks, folding canes, seat sticks and umbrellas.

Walking Sticks

A British 'walking stick' is usually a relatively simple stick used for everyday support or country walks. The close and personal relationship between people and walking sticks would have started with our hunter-gather ancestors, who would have carried early staffs for self-protection and support. However, it would not have been long before carved and decorated walking sticks were created in order to emphasise their owners' authority and prestige. 

Of all nations, the British have for centuries been among the most enthusiastic users of walking sticks. Smart hardwood and formal silver-topped canes have long been a favourite accessory of an urbane gentleman, while traditional crooks, thumb sticks and hiking staffs in ash, blackthorn, applewood and hazel are always popular with the British in the country.

Stick Measurement

Walking stick measurement: what height should my walking stick be?

This is a frequently asked question. Physiotherapists recommend the following method of determining the correct height for a walking stick. The walking stick user should stand upright, in the type of shoes they usually wear, with their arms hanging naturally by their sides. Another person should turn the walking stick upside down, so that the handle is resting on the floor. Positioning the walking stick next to the user, make a small mark on the shaft of the stick level with the bump at the bottom of the wrist bone. Using a small saw, cut the stick at this point. This will mean that the user's arm will be slightly bent when they hold the stick.

If the walking stick user is not present, for example if they are buying their walking stick by mail order or through the internet, they can determine how long their walking stick should be by asking another person to measure the distance from their wrist bone to the floor. The walking stick user should ensure they are standing correctly i.e. standing upright, in the type of shoes they usually wear, with their arms hanging naturally by their sides.

Please note that this information is a guide only.

Seat Sticks

A seat stick can be traditional shooting stick to a fashionable seat made from comtemporary materials. They are great for when you need to take the weight off your legs and back, whether it be at a sporting event, or just going about day to day life.

The more able bodies often prefer the single leg seats whilst three and four legged seats are ideal for thoses want to sit for longer or require greater stability. Most seat sticks have spiked ferrules that are fitted with ground plates. This prevents them sinking when used in soft ground.  They then fold neatly into position beside the seat stick when not in use.

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