Frequently Asked Questions

The questions we're asked most. If yours isn't here, send us a note and we'll answer it.

What size walking cane do I need?

Stand in the shoes you normally wear, arms relaxed at your sides. The top of the cane should reach the crease of your wrist, which puts a slight bend in your elbow when you hold the grip. Buying for someone else? A rough starting point is about half their height, or measure a cane they already use. Our two-minute fit guide covers both methods.

How long are your canes? Can I get a shorter or taller one?

Every cane ships at a 37-inch standard length. If you need it shorter, the shaft can be cut down, but that's done on your end after it arrives: we ship at the standard length and don't cut to order. Any hardware store or woodworking shop can take a cane down and refit the tip in a few minutes. Measure carefully first, because once a cane has been cut it can no longer be returned.

If you need a cane taller than 37 inches, email us before you order. Taller canes are made as custom orders, which means an additional cost and a lead time of about four weeks. Tell us the height you need and we'll quote it.

How wide is the handle?

It varies by model. The Tikal measures 5.75 inches across, the Sendero and Xibalba 5.25 inches, and the Isthmus and Sombra 5 inches. Every shaft is 1.20 inches thick, and each product page lists its own measurements.

What is laurel wood?

Laurel is a slow-growing hardwood from the highland cloud forests of Central America, valued for its density, natural luster and deep grain. We air-cure every piece for two years before it's shaped. Our guide, What Is Laurel Wood?, covers where it grows and how we source it.

How is a Walt Cane put together?

Each cane is two pieces of laurel: the handle and the shaft. They're shaped separately, then hand-fitted and grain-matched at the joint, where a band of paler laurel marks the join. Nothing about the fit is machine-made, and there's no metal collar hiding the transition.

Will my cane look exactly like the photos?

No, and that's the point. Each cane is fitted from its own pieces of laurel, so grain, color and figure vary from cane to cane. Yours will share the handle design, dimensions and finish shown, with a grain that belongs only to it.

Who makes your canes?

Every cane is hand-fitted and finished by a very small group of artisans, close to the highland forests where the laurel is harvested by a small cooperative of foresters.

How do I care for a wooden walking cane?

Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth, keep it out of standing water and extreme heat, and re-oil it once or twice a year with a furniture-grade oil or wax. The rubber tip is the one consumable: check it every few months and replace it when the tread wears flat. Full details are in our guide on caring for a wooden walking cane.

Can I use a Walt Cane for balance or recovery?

Our canes are built to bear real daily weight. That said, if you're using a cane for balance, recovery or an ongoing condition, talk to a physician or physical therapist about the right type and height for you. In some cases a quad cane or another configuration is the better tool, and no wooden cane replaces that advice.

How long does shipping take?

Orders are typically processed within 2 to 3 business days. Within the United States, UPS delivery usually takes another 3 to 7 business days. International orders ship by DHL Express to the countries listed in our shipping policy, and any customs duties or import taxes are the customer's responsibility. Custom-height canes are made to order and take about four weeks before they ship.

What is your return policy?

Most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery, unused and in their original packaging. If you simply changed your mind, return shipping is yours to cover. If a cane arrives damaged, defective or incorrect, contact us within 7 days and we'll cover it. The full terms are in our refund policy.

Are the hand-carved canes one of a kind?

Yes. Each carved handle is cut by hand, with no molds and no machine duplication, so when one sells it's gone for good. See what's available in hand-carved walking canes, or send us a note to hear about the next piece.