Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

One of my daughters gave me this for Christmas and I must say I was worried at first...I wondered if it would be anywhere near as good as the cane I was using then: the SE Collapsible Walking Stick Colors May Vary. That cane had a spring inside its column (as well as a flashlight on its handle), and I loved how it took the impact. Well, good news: after using it for about a dozen days I find it to be an excellent cane (though I do I feel silly whenever I tell people its name). Additionally, if I were to single out any one complaint of my WIFE's about any of my previous canes it would be that they fall down and make a big metallic (or wooden) crashing sound. It bothers her to no end whenever we're out...I don't mind it, but I am sensitive to her complaints and I do have to admit it happens a lot. But this is my review, so here goes (and yes, I'll get to my wife's reaction, too): 1. Just so you know, I'm 5 foot 10 inches, and about 195 pounds. The strength and support of the cane is more than adequate. There is no wobble in it, nor does it squeak or make any sound that requires oiling...I've read some people's complaints in this department and I have no idea what others are talking about. 2. As I alluded to in the opening paragraph, the stiffness of a regular cane can be a problem for your shoulder or hand after using it all day. Face it: however fancy you make a regular cane, it's just a more elegant version of a stick, and leaning on it all day is rough on your palm as well as your upper arm and shoulder--the portion of your body that has to take the burden of each impact. The HurryCane helps with that A LOT through its supple low joint/hinge that feels like a shock absorber when it first takes the collision with the ground. In this case, the tip's flexibility allows it to first meet the ground at a slight angle, supporting you through the entire movement of the cane until its release. The soft handle helps, too. 3. Along those lines, the rubber tips at the bottom of the can help, too. Each softens the impact of the cane's contact with the ground, and three of them really make the placement steady and soft. 4. Additionally, the three tips at the bottom give it more stability. I read one person's wise comment that said that a person who uses a cane needs it for balance as much as support, and maybe more so. He was right: a lot of times I need it to stabilize myself on uncertain terrain, or going down stairs, or even a slope. AND getting up from a sitting, bending, or kneeling position...like if I drop something, or wanted to look at something like, say, a book on the lower shelf of a library. 5. The cane folds into a nice neat little package about a foot long and fits into a nice little black bag. It's a nice feature should you want to store it out of everyone's way. It takes about five seconds, and unfolding it is just as simple. And what's better is that this has no effect upon its strength or stability...the pieces fit so well within each other that there is no loss of solidity when assembled at full length. 6. Finally--and, yes, probably most importantly--my wife is happy, too: not only does the little tripod of rubber tips often allow it to stand on its own time, but even if there is uneven terrain I just lean it against the table or anything else...the tips still provide more than adequate balance when it leans. I've been to several stores, a couple of restaurants, and a friend's house, and no oops...CRASH!! This is not to say that it CANNOT be knocked over...bumping it will send it on its side. But, as the makers of the cane like to tell you, just placing your toe on the triangle at its base will tip it back upright. And when my wife's happy, I'm happy.