Bobs Stickmaking Pages - Collector's item #C016: an old Malacca cane with horn knob.


	C016 - Collector's item: an old and very characterful Malacca cane with horn knob. Length 35.5 inches (90 cm) Thickness of shank 0.6 inch (16 mm) with almost no taper despite appearances!
	This neat little cane is topped with a simple turned knob made from horn (probably ox horn). As usual with these old sticks, it had been sadly neglected and it wasn't until I had sanded through the desiccated surface that I was able to confirm that it was actually horn and not wood. My guess is that this cane dates from the late 19th century.
	The knob is mounted onto the shank via a narrow ring of brass, which just sets it off nicely. Note that Malacca cane is a very springy, flexible material - at least, in smaller diameters like this. This means the cane will bend if you put any significant weight on it. So this item is intended to aid balance rather than provide support. The steel-or-iron-tipped brass ferrule is probably the original and has been knocked about a bit, but there's still plenty of life left in it. So I just ran some glue underneath it to stop it wobbling and gave it a quick rub down.
	The maker retained the outer bark or husk of the Malacca cane. This has developed a lovely deep patina and also acquired assorted dark markings. I reckon the mottled patches are due to natural bacterial or fungal processes (now long inactive) and some of the more distinct markings on the upper section suggest that the owner may have been in the habit of leaving the cane just a tad closer to a roaring fire than was wise. Interestingly, there are two areas just above and just below the centre of the shank where the surface seems to have been worn smoother by constant handling. By my reckoning, the upper of these areas would be just the place one would hold the cane while riding. This would enable you to hold the reins while a quick flick of the wrist would give the horse a tap on the flank. The lower grip... well, if you held the cane there you coulg give someone or something a more severe rap with the knob end. All part of life's rich tapestry, I suppose...

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