Fitting a Ferrule
 
Home
About
Galleries
How to
Reviews
Twisties
Sunshine
History
Guests
Scrapbook
Links
Contact
Credits
          Here are the steps taken in the fitting of traditional English ferrules (the metal bit at the bottom of a cane).

First take your prospective cane and cut to length (see below to get correct length).

Now take a ferrule of the correct size. The correct size is one that on fitting will not be larger in diameter than the cane, smaller is better, exactly the same is best.

Take your cane and taper the end to fit the ferrule, I use a knife for this.

Now confident that you have the right size, tap the ferrule onto the end using a hammer. Fitting a ferrule onto a cane with the bark left on is far easier than a stripped cane. The ferrule will tend to slide under the bark so that when you have tapped it on fully, you just trim the bark to neaten the job up.
              Lastly take a punch and put 3 dimples around the ferrule to secure it, this is instead of pins that could split the cane. The dimples stop the ferrule falling off after you bring the cane into your wonderfully heated home (the heat will shrink your cane a smidgen). Some people like to put a dob of glue in the ferrule as well and varnish is sometimes applied, but it's like most jobs you can make them as easy or as complicated as you want, me I like the easy life :)

 

This tip looks at getting the correct height for a cane, this is very important, if the cane is either too short or too long it can make the user uncomfortable at best. So for a cane (not a hiking staff) get the customer to stand (upright) and relax. Turn the cane upside down and hold next to their arm. Make a mark next to the knobbly part of their wrist (ulna or radius styloid process). Cut off at the mark( not the wrist, the stick ;) This should make the stick the correct height, if you are not sure you can always cut it an inch longer before that final cut. Next fit the ferrule, job done. For a hiking staff when holding the stick the arm should be at a comfortable height, usually a right angle at the elbow. If this angle is smaller (ie too tall) you will have to lift the stick up too far when walking, if too short you will start to stoop and cause possible back pain!

Last updated 06 May 2001

© Mik Strevens 25/6/2000