re: canes
A stick beats a knife as a weapon, especially on defense.
As a Seasoned Citizen, my oak stick with solid brass head raises no eyebrows anywhere; just a nice fashion accessory and mobility aid for an older gentleman.
One TSA agent,after running my stick through his scanner, commented “You know, this would make a really good weapon” as he smacked the brass head into the palm of his hand before smiling and handing it back to me.
If you are old enough or bold enough to carry a walking stick, I heartily recommend it.