Discussing wood types and diameters

Many times our Cane Masters customers come to the web site and are confused by the options on wood types and diameters offered. I am going to offer a basic explanation of such. We offer Oak and Hickory, which are the two strongest commercially sold hardwoods here in the USA. We have several grades of wood in each category.

Ladies often prefer this for its basic compact look and ease of handling. However, anyone with smaller hands will appreciate this fit and it comes in both the Octagonal shaft and the round shaft. Then we have the slightly larger 1-1/16" diameter which is a bit heavier and comes only as a Octagonal cane. This octagon shape does not proceed through to the crook itself and is only a shaft shape, but the Octagonal is unique in that it offers the small straight edges that are great for impact points, and is a very beautiful look as well. Each change in wood type, diameter, and shaft shape, will show as a price change on the product as well.

Next, we have our Hickory offerings, and all the diameters and shaft shapes are the same as in the OAK. However, with the Hickory tree we have 3 different areas of the tree that the wood comes from – which affect however minutely, the color, strength and density of the Hickory wood itself. Regular Hickory as offered by Cane Masters is - what in flooring at the store would be considered white Hickory, and this particular Hickory takes any stain beautifully and is the lightest in both weight and coloring of our Hickory offerings. The Hickory comes from the very outer layers of the Hickory tree.

Then, we have Hickory with Heartwood, this area of the tree is where the inner and outer wood of the hickory tree meet and is a very beautiful 2 toned wood, that is almost a shame to stain. The grain and the swirling of the two different colors in the Hickory tree are almost covered when stained, except by use of the lightest colored stains (Light Brown, and Gunstock Brown). The Tung oil finish only option allows this wood to shine.

Lastly, is the Pure Hickory Heartwood which comes from the very center of the Hickory tree and is a beautiful pinky-tan tinged wood that is denser and heavier as this wood from the very center of the tree has been pressed in upon during the growth process for the life of the tree. We also like to think it always is best with just a tung oil finish and no stain. However, do know that in staining this wood your coloration of cane will end up different than if you stain the basic Hickory. We will stain it but admit it is not our preference to do so.

All of our wood types here are available in all the diameters previously discussed in this writing - but the Octagonal Pure Hickory Heart 1-1/16 is the rarest of the woods and is currently out of stock and we continue to take orders and put them on a backorder waiting list and fill them as the wood comes in. Do note when placing an order for this wood type there may be a lengthy wait, at this time. There is only one other Hickory version to discuss here and that is what we call Hickory Thumper Stock - this is a different option of wood altogether, as this would be wood taken from a tree that is cut in fall just prior to the tree going to sap. So the sap or syrups are still in the veins of the tree and solidify there, making the wood from that tree a little denser and heavier.

I do hope this helps to explain some of the options available on our Cane Masters Canes.