JimGo
Member
I have an aunt who had a stroke about a year ago that severely paralized one side of her body. She has since regained limited use of that side, and continues to show improvement, but she still needs to use a cane to help her get around. When she came to our baby shower about a month ago, it was obvious that she's still dealing with depression (divorcee and her only child lives about an hour away in NYC without a car). I have decided to make a replacement for the very beaten-up looking aluminum cane she currently carries as a surprise Christmas present for her, so she'll always have something with her to let her know that her family is thinking of her. I will be using the three-part walking stick with "faux wood" brass handle that CSUSA sells. I've already ordered the kit, and am looking forward to turning the pieces and sending it to her for Christmas (our baby is due some time in the next three to four weeks, or I'd make the trip to NJ to give it to her personally).
I'm only struggling with one decision, whether to use Lignum Vitae or Cocobolo for the body of the walking stick. I love Cocobolo, and it is a pretty hard wood, but my aunt is rather heavy-set, and I need something that's going to support her if she starts to fall and needs to catch herself on the cane. That's why I'm also thinking of LV. I have large enough pieces of both to be able to do the cane for her, and although I love LV, I think the Cocobolo would make a stunning cane that people would ask her about, whereas the slightly greenish tinge that LV tends to develop over time when exposed to the elements (as the cane will be) might make it less appealing. But, on the flip-side, most of the Cocobolo I have has a lot of figure to it, which I understand can make the wood less strong than if it were straight-grained.
Any recommendations as between these would be greatly appreciated.
I'm only struggling with one decision, whether to use Lignum Vitae or Cocobolo for the body of the walking stick. I love Cocobolo, and it is a pretty hard wood, but my aunt is rather heavy-set, and I need something that's going to support her if she starts to fall and needs to catch herself on the cane. That's why I'm also thinking of LV. I have large enough pieces of both to be able to do the cane for her, and although I love LV, I think the Cocobolo would make a stunning cane that people would ask her about, whereas the slightly greenish tinge that LV tends to develop over time when exposed to the elements (as the cane will be) might make it less appealing. But, on the flip-side, most of the Cocobolo I have has a lot of figure to it, which I understand can make the wood less strong than if it were straight-grained.
Any recommendations as between these would be greatly appreciated.