Budo international Martial Arts Magazine Jul.-Aug. 2014 | Page 45

with our goals, only consider modern looking,
simple, functional canes.
Once again, if it looks like an eighteen
century sword-cane, it is a weapon! The cane
can be used as a long-distance force multiplier
and it is particularly effective for blocking and
striking. With proper training, throws, chokes and
fairly complex joint-locking techniques can be
performed. As always, we must use common
sense and realize that the cane must be age
appropriate. It would not seem right for a 12 years
old kid to walk around carrying a cane (unless there
are real medical reasons), while nobody would give
a second look to a 50 years old man or woman
walking with one. While canes are legal to carry and
permitted anywhere (even on an airplane), if you feel
uncomfortable walking around with one, you can safely
substitute it for an umbrella (although it may be
equally uncomfortable to explain while
you were carrying one on a
beautifully sunny day!). And,
while any umbrella may do the
job, you should opt for one
of those that are produced
specifically for selfdefense, (I always have