Back in the early ’80’s I joined the South Dakota Air National Guard and went off to Basic Training, then on to technical training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. During my six months at Keesler, one of my roommates was a Mormon guy from Utah by the name of Ira. Ira was a great friend during those months at Keesler, and had all kinds of stories to tell; one that stuck with me was about a friend or relative of his who made what were termed “bull pecker canes” (Ira’s words, not mine!) To make these canes, they would take the… um… reproductive organ of a slaughtered bull, run a steel rod down the middle (cringe), dry it, varnish it & finish it off with a fancy handle and foot.
With some of Ira’s stories, I never knew whether to believe him or not; no difference with this one. But today while browsing around the Sportsman’s Warehouse over a long lunch, guess what I found; a rack Bull Canes made by Ross Taylor Originals in Utah. And true to Ira’s tale…
Each of our canes, putters and jogging buddies are made from the reproductive organ of an American Buffalo or Domestic Bull. Yes, you heard it right…
As disgusting as they sound, the canes & walking sticks I saw are very nice. They’re fairly hefty, what with the 3/8″ steel rod running through the middle (cringe) and the brass handles. Prices are up there, $120 or so for a nice cane with inlaid buffalo nickels or Indian head pennies. You can also custom-order one with your own trinkets inlaid on the shaft.
The website says the canes are durable enough for a lifetime of use, and they look it. And I’m sure they’d be a fun conversation starter: “Nice cane! What kind of wood is that?” “Oh, it’s not wood, per se…”
Yup, very nice canes indeed.