Walking sticks with secrets...

[Hieronimous Stonebender]

I wish to make myself a walking stick.

For inspiration I've been perusing this wonderful forum, and I've come across such sticks in a vast number of shapes and sizes. Many of them contain more than meets the eye, and I would like some kind of feature in my stick as well. But I don't know what to choose. I would like it to be somewhat whimsical. Off the top of my head I can think of:

-Sword
-Knife
-Flask
-Compass
-Spyglass

But does anyone know of other useful(or not) gadgetry incorporated in this gentlemans accessory?

I would like to hear of wacky ideas, you folks might have.

[juxtimon]

i have seen one with a spring-loaded spike in the bottom of the stick- you press a button in the handle and out pops a 3 or 4 inch metal spike (i believe the purpose is to turn a 'city' stick into a 'country and mountain' stick)

[Hieronimous Stonebender]

i have seen one with a spring-loaded spike in the bottom of the stick- you press a button in the handle and out pops a 3 or 4 inch metal spike (i believe the purpose is to turn a 'city' stick into a 'country and mountain' stick)

Nice, maybe for ice as well?

[Maggoty Anne]

I think the compass and spyglass are your best bets if you don't want the fez after you, though the only example I've seen of a spyglass-cane is this:

Spoiler: ShowHide

which while absolutely gorgeous, would be extremely difficult to make.

For the compass, we've already established that they are rather difficult to make in a thread I don't feel like digging up right now, but the mechanics mentioned there might help you.

I rather like the idea of putting a working clock in the handle, as opposed to a compass, like this person did here:
http://www.creativecanes.com/canepics02.html

[Maggoty Anne]

i have seen one with a spring-loaded spike in the bottom of the stick- you press a button in the handle and out pops a 3 or 4 inch metal spike (i believe the purpose is to turn a 'city' stick into a 'country and mountain' stick)

Nice, maybe for ice as well?

Or perhaps vampires? You never know when you might encounter one.

[clockdug]

I have seen some jaw droppingly stunning watch canes.  Pieces of horological beauty so fine that they made sword canes weep with envy.  I wish the link I had was still active.  There are some less impressive watch canes and other gadget canes on this link:  http://www.antiquecanes.com/items.php?category_2=system

Also, flute canes.  Some had small flutes contained within the cane; some were obviously flutes such as this one: http://www.gilai.com/scripts/more/ca274-canes-Canes-yes.html

[Villainous]

I've seen the old sword/knife/random blade kind. have one actually.

a recent movie franchise from a popular book series about a boy wizard had a wand concealed in a walking stick.

other classic ones had the handle pull out to be used as a pistol. I've seen a one shot type and a small "pepper box" model. I've seen a rifle version to that used the length of the stick as a barrel. no stock however.

thinks I've NEVER seen that might be a lot of fun....
- a fork
- candy
- a toothbrush
- a light/lamp/torch
- a lighter
- a salt shaker
- a bottle of holy water (sames lines of the flask but different style)
- a wooden stake

[MorrisHeaton]

Here's my idea:

A tripod cane, for surveying and/or one of those photographic contraptions.

A cane with a hidden compartment for important documents/maps

A cane with a similar compartment, only it holds silverware for picnicking. Maybe use the bulb at the top for a flask or cup.

[Hieronimous Stonebender]

Leave it to the BG crowd to come up with brilliant stuff.

Thank you, and please keep 'em coming.

I really like the flashlight, lighter and watch ideas.

I'll start rummaging through my storage, and see if have something usable...

[Atterton]

There was one cane which had a map inside that could be pulled out, a bit like a rullegardin. Meant for walks around London.

[Hieronimous Stonebender]

There was one cane which had a map inside that could be pulled out, a bit like a rullegardin. Meant for walks around London.

Excuse me Atterton. But what does "rullegardin" mean to you? In danish it is a sort of curtain, which is rolled up and down using a springloaded mechanism...

[Simon Hogwood]

The Map Cane Thread.

Other ideas:
- An umbrella.
- A fancy pen.
- a screwdriver/crowbar/other tool.

[Atterton]

It means the same to me.  I couldn´t remember the english word.

[Maggoty Anne]

There was one cane which had a map inside that could be pulled out, a bit like a rullegardin. Meant for walks around London.

Excuse me Atterton. But what does "rullegardin" mean to you? In danish it is a sort of curtain, which is rolled up and down using a springloaded mechanism...

I didn't know what it meant either, and google was no help to me, but I knew what he meant from the context.

[MPsy]

A tool box cane would be pretty cool and useful.

[Lady Alandra]

I recently saw a fabulous walking stick in past times in the UK. it had a ball on top which opened to show a working compass... if you unscrewed the brass sphere/compass there was a whisky vile in the stick itself, it was wonderful. I think a compass would do the trick or if you want to buy one try and see if past times has a website.

[Lord Jason Blackwell]

i happen to own two walking sticks that convert into pool cues. or another idea that i'd like to do (as a prop, not functional) is a derringer camouflaged inside a walking stick.

[Stanch]

A fun one might be to have a hollowed brass top with a spring loaded pocket watch on the top where you can flip it up to reveal the face of a pocket watch.

[Affian]

Ive been working on a design for a Cane with a built in umbrella, all it is lacking at the moment is a way to conceal the umbrella when it's closed.

[akumabito]

*mutters nigh-incomprehensibly*

Perhaps a string of glass capsules filled with VX nerve gas.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Like in those missiles from The Rock. Only skinnier (cane-diameter) and with a lot more capsules...

[Kabuki]

*mutters nigh-incomprehensibly*

Perhaps a string of glass capsules filled with VX nerve gas.

One could use sections of green glass beaded necklace to set that up.  Or faux pearls?

[ironwood]

I saw one not to long ago at an Antique Fair that was a hidden single barrel shotgun. 

[Gazongola]

I think one with a USB stick would be appropriate for the modern society. The ones that have been first mentioned (first post) have all been done. You may want to look up what are known as 'system sticks', basically sticks with another purpose, which is the proper name for such a thing. Alot were made at the turn of the (last) century. However, an original can be hideously expensive. Many things are achievable. I personally own two reproductions; one with a spyglass, and one with a compass and vial.

[Atterton]

You could make it hollow with some lenses at either end and use it as a telescope.

[Gazongola]

Ive been working on a design for a Cane with a built in umbrella, all it is lacking at the moment is a way to conceal the umbrella when it's closed.

Well the best I can think of is to buy one of those button press brolleys with some sort of spring mechanism inside.