Stick…how heavy is too heavy?

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I have frequently posted and responded to posts in the past here, usually in the matter of walking sticks and their use in self defense. In fact some have listed me in their posts as the ‘go-to’ guy on sticks and the choice there of.

Here is the question: how heavy should a stick be in your view and what is the limit of size/weight for personal carry? I have frequently wrestled with this topic in the past and came to the decision that a crook handle in hickory of the heaviest weight available is best for a variety of reasons. It is entirely invisible, esp. if you are of some years; it is protected as an orthopedic device and cannot be forbidden in places where you cannot take things like overt weapons. I like the crook for its innocous appearance, its ease of use, its use as a control/grab device (you can break limbs with it if you know how, hold a neck, do a trip) and its relative cheapness. (I have advocated the Nasco (Enasco online)- “Elephant Cane” because it is cheap and the heaviest I have found, I often give them away.) I also will not use any stick designed and advertised as a weapon, which pretty much eliminates all CS products.

However a product has me wondering. There is an aluminum ‘stick’ on eBay called “Big Tex” which weights an incredible 2.8 lbs.! It only comes in a straight shaft, but I think you could put a T handle on it. It is available in bright colors like the trekking sticks that you now see all over the streets, which I assume would make it more invisible, though I doubt you would get it into a court house once it was examined (at that weight). It comes festooned with various things designed as ‘hiking aids’ but they are removeable. I doubt anyone would actually use this hiking at this weight, about the same I imagine as a baseball bat.

What do you think? Is this too heavy? What is too heavy? A friend advocates light sticks for speed of use and lack of threatening appearance. What is your ideal weight? Is a straight shaft with a slightly bulbous head out of the question? What do you use to ensure invisibility?

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