Walking sticks and canes come in a variety of styles and designs.  When most people think of a cane, their first thought is most likely to be the traditional C Cane, which is shaped like a candy cane.  The same is probably true of the walking stick—which people think of a long piece of wood, and is used most often by hikers. While individual styles may vary, there are, in essence, four main component parts to every walking cane or walking stick. These are: the handle, the collar, the shaft and the tip or ferrule (sometimes called rubber feet). Below is a brief description of each piece. THE HANDLE: There are many different styles and materials that can be used to make the handle.  They can be very ornate and carved from ivory, wood, gold, silver, and many other types of precious materials.  There are also a few varieties of handles, such as the Derby, the Fritz, or the most common which is the Tourist, or “crook” handles.  The choice is definitely up to the buyer and what they feel most comfortable holding onto. THE COLLAR: The collar is just what the name describes.  It is a disk or a band of metal that is wrapped around the cane or walking stick, which attaches the handle to the shaft of the walking stick or cane. THE SHAFT: This is the sturdiest and straightest part of the walking stick, made from wood, metal, bamboo, horn or bone.  Since this is the sturdiest part of the cane or walking stick, this is one of the main reasons why it is important to purchase a stick that is within your weight range.  This is particularly important if the stick will be used for balance and mobility. THE TIP/FERRULE: This is the very end of the cane and can be made from different materials such as copper, metal or rubber. It usually slips over the bottom of the cane. Having a ferrule on your cane or walking stick helps to protect the end of it from regular wear and tear and can also help with grip. While the copper or metal tips were once used most often, the rubber tip is now preferred by most users.  This is because rubber costs less, can be easily replaced, and provides a non-skid bottom which is very beneficial when it is wet or snowy. More recently, new types of ferrules are being brought to market by companies such as FlexyFoot Ltd. which has designed a walking stick ferrule that increases grip, is easy to attach to and detach from the stick and which also has the added benefit of cushioning the impact each time the user places the stick in contact with the ground - this can help to reduce the stress on the joints of the arms.